‘Alma del Barrio’ Offers Serious Salsa Onstage

For 24 years, “Alma del Barrio” (Soul of the Neighborhood) has been a radio haven for the demanding salsa aficionado. And the show--which purifies the polluted Latin radio airwaves with 12 hours of significant salsa on Saturday and Sunday on KUSC-FM (88.9)--celebrated that anniversary in kind with a memorable doubleheader Sunday at the Palace.

Headliner Manny Oquendo & Libre, a veteran New York salsa orchestra, symbolized “Alma del Barrio’s” musical approach--a mature sound that shakes the soul without hurting discriminating ears. Perhaps L.A. has seen more fireworks on other salsa nights. On this one, the musicians sounded as if they were sincerely paying homage to a unique underground success by reflecting “Alma del Barrio’s” serious, low-key approach.

Instead of opting for the usual bombastic virtuosities or crowd-pleasing, fast-paced grooves, Oquendo started slow, with an engagingly patient crescendo that quickly reaffirmed that salsa’s old guard still rules--musically if not commercially. By the time the orchestra reached Marvin Gaye’s “I Want You,” Libre had expertly demonstrated how to smoke even before exploding fully. It was nothing but the relaxed confidence of those with nothing to prove.

But the opening act--the Alma del Barrio All-Stars, a sort of dream team of L.A. salsa--had enough power to guarantee the party. Bandleaders Johnny Polanco and Rudy Regalado, Peruvian singer Tania Sanchez and a dozen others, despite having rehearsed only once, offered a representative sample of the best of the L.A. sound: the groove, the beat and the ability to sound refreshing without straying from tradition and simplicity. Despite the crowd’s eagerness to see Oquendo, the All-Stars played a full set and got away without boring anyone.