Soul and Salsa
Posted Mar 13 2006
In a market such as Detroit, he says, DJs of Latin music have to contend with there being no major media outlet for the music, which he feels is a double-edged sword.“The fact that we don’t have a (Latin music) radio station means we have to be a little more attentive to what’s hot and what’s not,” Noah-Navarro says. “At the same time, if you go to a place like Miami or New York, things pretty much follow what’s on the radio and the radio is pretty much playing what the labels tell them to play.”
The lack of significant radio play allows club DJs more freedom to create their own vibe.
Like a proud-parent, Noah-Navarro comments on the quality of the club’s clientele: “There’s only 500 people, compared to clubs (in Miami) where you got 1,500 to 2,000. But these are 500 quality people. I can carry on a conversation with everyone of our guests and come out with something.”
While they’re both quick to sing the praises of New Latin Generation, they DJ duo wants to see the scene grow as a whole. On Fridays, they also DJ at Clutch Cargo’s in Pontiac, and on Sundays, the pair can be found at the Token Lounge in Westland. They say there is competition with other DJs, but for the most part, there is enough business for the major players – everyone has carved out their own territories, including DJs XS and Salsa Sal at Illusions and DJ Carlos at the Heidelberg.
Espino and Noah-Navarro say they hope to see a Latin radio station in the area within the next few years, along with consistent appearances by major acts. Still, considering that they come from places with much stronger Latino culture, it’s intriguing that Espino and Noah-Navarro remain in Detroit.
Although they still eagerly talk of visits home, they say they are committed to creating a vibrant, local, cutting-edge scene. Noah-Navarro sums up their feelings.
“The hardest thing for me is being away from family,” he says, “But we’re doing something positive, and it kind of takes the place of your family. Nothing ever replaces family, but we’re making so many people happy. It’s like you’re sharing something.”
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