| The Rough Guide to Salsa | |
| Type: | Compilation |
| Artist: | Various artists |
| Cover: | RoughGuideSalsa1997.jpg |
| Released: | 18 November 1997 |
| Genre: | World, Salsa |
| Label: | World Music Network |
| Chronology: | Full series |
| Prev Title: | The Rough Guide to Reggae |
| Prev Year: | 1997 |
| Next Title: | The Rough Guide to English Roots Music |
| Next Year: | 1998 |
| Misc: | Complete list |
The Rough Guide to Salsa is a world music compilation album originally released in 1997. Part of the World Music Network Rough Guides series,[1] the album gives broad coverage to the salsa genre of Latin America, focusing on classic styles. Seven of the fourteen tracks are by Cuban musicians, five are Colombian, and one each is Venezuelan and American. The compilation was produced by Phil Stanton, co-founder of the World Music Network. Liner notes were written by Tom Andrews.[2] This was the first of three similarly named albums: the second was released in 2007; the third, in 2012.
The album received positive reviews. Raymond McKinney of AllMusic called it a "superb introduction". Michaelangelo Matos of the Chicago Reader felt it went down "as smooth as ice cream", praising its lack of drum machines.[3]