On 13.8.95 I was at Schlosspark Leverkusen Morsbroich to see, hear and dance the Fiesta Caribe open air. What a great party it was! There was a wonderful athmosphere in that green park behind the castle. The music and the people created real "Multi-Kultur", as we say in German. Probably that was one of the biggest Salsa Festivals in Germany this summer.
The first band was "Original de Manzanillo" from Cuba. 15 (!) men fired a musical explosion right at the start of the festival! They played a traditional style: "Charanga" with violins, flute, piano, percussion, bass, guitar. As they had no horns one could expect them to produce a more soft sound. But no! Instead their rhythms were really exciting and made you sweat. For me that band was the best of the day.
Then came Orquesta D'Cache from Colombia. 12 young ladies plus 1 man: what an attraction for your eyes and ears. They played Salsa as well as Cumbia. They were in Europe for the first time.
3. band was La Muralla from the Dominican Republic. Of course they played Merengue. Three smart singers together with their band presented a rather sexy show and made your hips swing. The last band was NG La Banda from Cuba. The Cubans again came with 15 excellent musicians and again made the stage steam! After an Latin Jazz introduction they performed hot salsa and their further developments of Salsa and Cuban music. Especially their brass was as strong as a thunder storm!