Latin Freestyle
Electro · 1984 · 115 to 128 BPM · also known as Latin Freestyle Dance
Latin freestyle is the explicitly Latin, Miami branch of freestyle, where clave rhythms and percussion inherited from salsa color the electro pop, running from the mainstream sound of Miami Sound Machine to the club records of TKA and the New York Latin scene. Its distinction from New York freestyle is more a matter of degree than of nature, a line that collectors still draw carefully.
9 reference tracks
- Miami Sound Machine: Dr. Beat (1984)
- Expose: Point of No Return (1985)
- Miami Sound Machine: Conga (1985)
- The Cover Girls: Show Me (1986)
- Sweet Sensation: Hooked On You (1986)
- TKA: Maria (1986)
- Stevie B: Funky Melody
- TKA: Louder Than Love
- TKA: Tears May Fall
At a glance
- Tempo: 115 to 128 BPM
- First appeared: around 1984
- Machines: Roland TR-808, Yamaha DX7
- The sound: Roland TR-808 et percussions latines, Cuivres synthétiques, Choeurs espagnol-anglais
- Labels: Epic, Cutting Records, Sunnyview, Tommy Boy
- Key artists: Miami Sound Machine, TKA, Sweet Sensation, Company B
Producing Latin Freestyle
Latin freestyle shares its tempo with New York freestyle, 112 to 126 BPM, but what changes is the clave: the track organizes around a son clave, three two or two three, played on 808 claves or a woodblock. An 808 keeps the kick, snare and hats while congas in a tumbao pattern, timbales with a cascara ride and cowbell fills, and 808 claves playing the clave throughout take the top layer. The bass follows the salsa tumbao rather than the kick, anticipating by playing the root on the upbeat of two and the fifth or root on beat four while often leaving beat one empty, over a minor progression with dominant chords. Synthetic brass, trumpet and trombone lines, carries the main color, answered by a montuno piano part and bilingual, doubled vocal choruses.
The full production course, in French: tempo, drums, bass, sounds, arrangement, mix, plugins and machines, and a step by step start.
Frequently asked
What is Latin Freestyle?
Latin freestyle is the explicitly Latin, Miami branch of freestyle, where clave rhythms and percussion inherited from salsa color the electro pop, running from the mainstream sound of Miami Sound Machine to the club records of TKA and the New York Latin scene. Its distinction from New York…
What tempo is Latin Freestyle played at?
Between 115 and 128 BPM.
Who are the key Latin Freestyle artists?
Miami Sound Machine, TKA, Sweet Sensation, Company B.
In the same family
- Electro Funk
- Electro Hop
- Miami Bass
- Techno Bass
- Freestyle
- Detroit Electro
- Electro
- Synth-Funk
- Electroclash
- Skweee
Listen to Latin Freestyle in the atlas · Cette page en français
