I am not good with names anymore. On top of that, there are soooo many local artists with some fame to it.
What has taken me some time to realize too, is the fact that music styles and versions thereof are classified in social levels too.
Bachata has certainly come a looooong way in the last 8 to 10 years to gain, not just some international recognition but also some broader acceptance among social differences in the DR. Yet, Bachata is still considered barrio music and suspected as a little tacky and at times even suggestive by those who believe to be just a tad "above" the barrio crowd.
I know some
ranchos and even
tipicos in town, which will not or only very occasionally play a "real" Bachata "
de la calle", when they do not limit themselves to one by Juan Luis Guerra or Victor Victor. El Torrito may be somewhere in between with his more elaborate musical style.
Merengue... well, there was Merengue, Merengue and then, there is Merengue. Internationally (Cuba, Colombia etc) Merengue has always been belittled a bit for it's simple 1-2-1-2 rhythm.
There are basically 3 main groups of merengue;
Tipico (the old "accustic" country style), Classico (Salsa Big Band style, free of any suggestive lyrics, musically intricate, with complex chord structures way beyon the I, IV chord progression structure of Tipico and Modern, comparable to BIG Salsa). Classical and interestingly Tipico Merengue are both widely accepted.
Modern / Urbano which developed in the 90's, almost strictly adhering to a repetitive I, IV, I, IV chord progression, VERY rhythm focused, simple not to say primitive, with as repetitive simple/primitive lyrics which eventually turned quite suggestive. Now, it's turned into Urbano, with a strong Reggeaton influence. This later style is considered barrio, barrio, barrio. Girls dancing it (almost Reggaeton style) may be quite a show to see, but are certainly not attracting a good girl's reputation upon them by dancing it or even just let them be seen at place playing that kind of Merengue.
Salsa, although played in most all Latin countries, is not Dominican music. It is the dance music of choice for the mid to upper class Dominicans though. There are some, but far less real Salsa bands than Bachata, Tipico, Urbano, Reggeaton and Classico band operating in the country. Most will obviously also play Ballads, and Merengue Classico. I think that one thing which limits bands like these, is simple economics. A serious Merengue Classico or Salsa bands are basically big bands and will have at least 10 musicians on stage. Reggaeton, Urbano and Bachata bands often need less than half that to make about twice as much noise
.
Although the basic Bachata dancing steps (and the rhythm pattern) of Bachata are the same as in Salsa, most Dominicans hitting the street on Saturday and Sunday have a poor record as proficient Salsa dancers. But some
ranchos tipicos do attract people who do come to dance, really dance, more than pick up dates or waste themselves on Brugal rum. Surprisingly these places can be at locations one would not expect them for their proximity to some very low income neighborhoods.
Reggaeton is slowly taking upper hand amongst Dominican tiguere/tiguera youths. It has also been the one music style which has lately broken the barrier of suggestive lyrics (Dominicans, even those looking quite "loos" don't usually talk about sex in public very easily) with lyrics of blatant sexual content, even some disturbing content, like mentioning underage sex, criminal behavior glorification and of course drugs (the later is by law NOT allowed).
If you go "clubbing", keep in mind that as I tried to suggest, where you are shaking your legs and whom with will be read as who you are very quickly.
If you are just a bypassing tourist you are quite free to nibble here and there (just be safety conscious and aware of whom you "befriend"), but if you intend to make a living here, one has to be a little bit more selective, even though we all at times long to see them Reggaeton chicks move that booty.
... J-D.
