Mr. Pasquale Caputo
Now this is one of the absolute unsung heroes of Salsa. I’m talking of none less than the man himself, Mike “Pasquale Caputo” Guagenti!
While I still need to learn more about the life story of this great artist and sonero, I already know that I totally dig this guy.
Mike has a long story with this music. He is of Italian descent and apparently learned spanish from the latinos of Spanish Harlem and from there started singing latin music. This guy sang with Joe Cuba, Gil Suarez and the Hi-Latins, Willie Pastrana (brother of Joey), Larry Harlow, Andy Harlow and more.
This album, which I am the proud owner of, is his solo effort called “Salsa Con Charanga” and it is nothing less than a spectacular effort where Mike is backed up by an all-star cast consisting of (deep breath…) Joe Loco (piano), Ruben Rivera (piano), Oscar Garcia (vibes, piano), Pupi Legaretta (violins, flute), Hector Garrido (rrelotron), Nelson Gonzalez (tres), Mike Amatin (bass), Andy Gonzalez (bass), Mauricio Smith (bass, flute, sax), Willie Rodriguez (trumpet), Herbie Olivieri (trumpet), Rudolpho Manzano (trumpet), Nahum (trumpet), Barry Rogers (trombone), Adolfo Maldonado (conga), Papiro (conga), Carlos de Jesus (bongo), Frankie Coss (drums), Louie (spelled “Lovie” on the cover!) Ramirez (timbales), Frank Malabe (conga), Willie Torres (coro), Yayo el Indio (coro), Adalberto Santiago (coro), Bobby Marin (coro). — Phew!!
Produced by Bobby Marin.
Now off to the record itself. The album is full of smokin’ salsas and a cool descarga opening track “salsa con charanga” plus one latin soul ballad in “Delirio”. I love all the tracks on this album, but if I had to choose some standouts it would have to be “Sonaremos el Tambo”, “La Puerta del Dolor”, “A Los Muchachos de Belen” and “Salsa con Charanga”. Okay, that is half the album, but really it is that good!
Here are some clips from these songs:
- “Sonaremos el Tambo” - just wicked groove. I love the sound and instrumentation of this group. And they are so tight that it is an instant zone-track for me. “That song reminds me of you, Guachi” -dj Duste… Watch out for the Nelson Gonzalez treat in the middle — Goosebumps!
- “La Puerta del Dolor” - This is for me the best best version of this song I have ever heard. Mike is such a playful sonero and here he is just flowing from note to note and his phrasing is impeccable.
- “A Los Muchachos de Belen” - Again super swing and groove from the group. This song is an instant party starter!
- “Salsa con Charanga” - The toughest track on the album and really brings the group as a whole to shine. Wickedly tight and swinging and just flows straight into solo after solo just getting slightly more intense all the way. “Ahi Na Ma” I say no mo’!
What makes this whole album unique, apart from Mike’s flavorful voice, is the instrumentation. He started off with a charanga section with flute, violins, timbales, conga, bass (but no guiro) and added tres, bongo, trombones, vibes, piano to make a different sound to the orchestra. Unfortunately this album was released rather late (1979) and the classic salsa in which this release would really fit well and shine, was on a bit of a decline as the novelty of salsa was wearing off as well as the tough competition from many other popular forms (especially disco music).It did not help that this album was released on the mexican label Orfeon which had a New York division. They obviously did not have the marketing muscle to compete with the big giant of Fania. This was also the case for many many smaller labels of the time. Many of them released some true gems of music, but had almost no distribution nor air play. In this blog I will try to again bring focus to many of these gems that I truly believe deserved a better destiny.And I believe they still can… Nowadays salsa is a global penomenon. Almost every country in the world has salsa clubs and local band. Albums like these are a breath of fresh air of classic salsa vibes that are amazing to dance to!Mike, I love you.Man, you rock!
- Guachi
3 comments April 7th, 2008
great son montuno/chas in (Y Que No, Salsa La Maraca and Cuando Viene La Paz) and sweet latin soul ballads in I Do Love You and Contigo plus a heavy mozambique in Oigan El Comentario to finish it all off!