La Excelencia

The band that brought salsa back to its roots; La Excelencia has just released their CD titled: "Salsa con Conciencia".

The response to "La Excelencia's" salsa has created a sort of movement. Fans include young salseros who tend to dress with a more urban flavor and the "old-school” salsa aficionados. "Salsa con Conciencia" (salsa with a conscience) is not only a danceable salsa CD, but as the title suggest the songs have been created with a conscience. The lyrics have meaning, and enlighten the community of every day situations found in our own lives or in the lives of others we may know.

José Vázquez-Cofresi & Julián Silva formed "La Excelencia", a young orchestra with the Salsa Dura (Hardcore Salsa) sound. In 2006 "La Excelencia" began to record their 10 track original CD showcasing vast styles of Salsa Dura and Guaguanco. Edwin Perez sings the single "La Lucha", a song about every day struggles in life and “La Salsa y el Guaguanco” which gives tribute to the African roots of salsa. Julian Silva’s arrangements give each track an urban, aggressive feel, yet not losing the true roots of salsa.  Songwriters for the project include Jose Vazquez-Cofresi, Rene Leslie, and Julian Silva.

The music of "La Excelencia" has been compared to the New York Salsa of the ' 60s and ‘70s, which then too informed the community about unity, peace, and the struggles of every day life.