Docu-Film ‘La Epoca’ causes Revolution in Salsa Dancing Part 1

Josue Joseph, son of the Mambo Legend “Alphonso – El Panameno” Joseph, has recently brought out the docu-film “La Epoca – The Palladium Era”. This documentary features interviews with dancers and musicians. Interesting questions are asked and the answers are quite revealing and insightful while following the music of an era long long gone. 

Josue Joseph, the director and executive producer of the Docu-Film “La Epoca – The Palladium Era”, is the right man for the job because of his upbringing. Josue was raised in the musical surroundings of other Mambo Icons such as Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Candido Camaro, and Israel “Cachao” Lopez”, and others, because of his father being a Bassist for the top orchestra’s of the Palladium Era which also includes Rafael Cortijo & Ismael Rivera, and Machito. B The movie is already considered by many to be the most informative Documentary Movie about Mambo and Salsa of all times.

Josue’s main job is producing video and music for international clients. He is often hired as a Master Instructor of Traditional Cha-Cha-Cha and Mambo Dances with Musicality, and his services also includes speaking as guest speaker for events having dancers, students, historians and musicians as listeners and debaters. Joseph is originally an improvisational pianist influenced by Classical Music. He speaks Spanish and English, and studies Russian, Italian and Polish languages. 

While answering the question of what drove him to make this movie, which has already been seen by a worldwide audience, Joseph said that he sees many dancers arguing about “On2” and “On1,” and about “Salsa” and “Mambo”. He commented on the manner in which he hears musicians play live music by playing only on “Salsa Rhythm from song to song.” Josue said, "It doesn't move me. One or two songs with the same static bass line is necessary, in present day, because most dancers want the static stuff that's on the radio; they're not exposed to the traditional music that has saxophones, multiple trumpets and trombones and especially, a walking bass - you know, an acoustic bass that drives the music. But, when I hear live music from an orchestra that plays more than 'one or two' rhythms, like a mambo, son-montuno, guajira, guajira-son or even a bolero, I then have a choice as to what I dance that night. It's a moving, internal feeling each time."

Josue Joseph brought some of the ‘old school’ Mambo’s most revered and praised dancers such as the late “Cuban Pete” – a Mambo Dance pioneer -, and Mike Ramos & Freddie Rios from the Palladium Mambo Legends for his documentary. The list of musicians is also legendary. Not only has Joseph managed to bring his father "Alfonso-el Panameño" and the late Israel "Cachao" Lopez -  a pioneer of the Mambo Rhythm together, but he also managed to unite musicians from Johnny Pacheco's and Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez's orchestras such as Charlie Rodriguez, Santiago Ceron, Chiripa, and the late Leo Fleming in his ground-breaking Docu-Film. All of these persons are close friends with Joseph’s father since the 1950’s and 60’s.          

Josue said, "I'm not into salsa-bashing. There are definitely tracks from Fania Records and Pacheco that I love so much, like "El Faisan," and Hector Lavoe's "Que Lio," and music from salsa-romantica like Eddie Santiago and Tito Rojas.No, I'm not into salsa-bashing. But, so many people I've met in my travels around the world have been gracious unto me and have shared with me how much they appreciate learning about the history of mambo and salsa that I've presented for them. It's not salsa-bashing, it's just exposing salsa for its true value from the musicians and dancers who know first-hand what the music before salsa and after salsa has been like. That's all."

The second part of one of the most important articles for Salsa & Mambo Dancers and Musicians will follow soon.