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Salsa & Mambo Video Reviews

Marchant Birch

Alchemy Way Partnerwork On1

Level: Int-Adv

Style: On1

Content: Turn Patterns

General Comment: In the 'extras' section of this DVD you will find full-hearted recommendations and admiration of Marchant's talent from names like Juan Matos, Hache Y Machete and his majesty Eddie Torres: quite an introduction. This talent shows at its best, in my opinion, in the choreography of the 8 turn patterns which represent the main content of the DVD; while you would expect a salsa turn pattern to be accompanied by adjectives as 'cool', 'nice', 'challenging', 'original', 'smooth' and the like, I think calling some of them 'beautiful' is not fully out of place; the ideas flow spontaneously and despite most of them are surprising, they still look natural, a distinguishing signature of an artistic creation. Care is given to all details of the design of the turn pattern, so that a hand flick becomes a arm throw, a change of position generates the momentum for another surprise and no beat of music is wasted waiting for the next move, but filled with action.

As you may have already understood these are mostly stage moves, but some of the material may be adapted for the dance floor, provided you put in a bit of work and surely you need to be comfortable with your partner. The turn patterns are danced and explained on1, filmed with a single camera but demonstrated on all useful views in a visually stunning setting.

It is not down to earth salsa, rather a very refined and elegant one, closer to Mozart than to Celia Cruz, but it is worth watching and studying and I recommend you do not miss it.

Reviewed by Fabio of SalsaIsGood - Reccomended