Both dances have the same forward and back basic which all the good dancers know. But there is one more basic called Abajo danced here in Miami that creates a nice flow for going into the Crossbody Lead or into a Dile Que No.

Other Latin countries don't really know this basic and tend to start side to side or a Son Basic. Truly the top Mambo and Salsa dancers are the Cubans and Puerto Ricans (of course there are exceptions as I know of many outstanding dancers that are Mexican, and from various South American Countries.. I even know a few gringos - no disrespect intended - who dance a great Mambo and Salsa).

I love both styles and enjoy dancing Mambo on 2 or Salsa on the 1 beat. One more thing that makes me smile.. I don't recall Mambo having been discovered in a ballroom studio .. therefore what is the deal about Salsa being a 'street' thing..compared to what? Mambo also comes from the streets or barrios and I'm glad there was/is that Afro-Cuban influence.

So cojelo suave con take it easy and let's accept that Salsa is here to stay - and like all dancing keeps getting better.

There is a distinct feel to some Latin music, which makes it Mambo or its cousin Salsa. Mambo is normally danced with the break on the 2nd beat. Salsa is danced on the 1 beat.

Though Mambo originated in Cuba, most of the new generation of dancers here in Miami don't know how to dance it. They have however taken Salsa to an exciting level and are tremendous dancers. If you watch the footwork you'll see them tap or flick on either the 4 beat or the 3 beat. There is no quick, quick, slow in Salsa because of the tap.

Some singers, musicians claim they don't understand the term Salsa since they haven't changed the music they've always played.. yet dancing on the 1 beat has probably enabled people to become dancers who may have had trouble dancing on the 2 beat.

Mambo has some great shine steps which you can also do in Salsa but if you were to watch Mambo dancers next to Miami Casino dancers you would see a distinct difference in styles..It's very cool to see dancers do both. Salsa can also be danced to fast tempos.