{"id":6956,"date":"2016-02-27T13:19:15","date_gmt":"2016-02-27T17:19:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/latinomusiccafe.com\/?p=6956"},"modified":"2023-05-10T08:17:09","modified_gmt":"2023-05-10T12:17:09","slug":"jose-lugo-guasabara-a-step-ahead-with-donde-estan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/latinomusiccafe.com\/2016\/02\/27\/jose-lugo-guasabara-a-step-ahead-with-donde-estan\/","title":{"rendered":"Jose Lugo “Guasabara” a Step Ahead with “Donde Estan”"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is not the classic Salsa music sound of the ’70s, but old-school Salseros will likely find the music of Guasabara<\/a> exciting. This is not Salsa Romantica nor Pop-Salsa, but this might spike the interest of fans of the more contemporary style of Salsa.<\/p>\n

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\"Jose
Puerto Rican pianist-bandleader Jose Lugo learned his Salsa chops with Salsa maestro Bobby Valentin.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I was looking forward to the next album from one of the most progressive Salsa bands today, and Guasabara did not disappoint with “Donde Estan<\/em>“.<\/p>\n

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Guasabara Combo Continues Progressive Salsa Sound<\/h3>\n

Gusabara’s founder and director Jose Lugo (“Luguito”) has innovated a sound that combines elements of classic Salsa (which he learned first-hand early on by playing with maestros like Bobby Valentin), and Romantic-pop Salsa, with the basic swing of Timba, to create a sound that is aggressive and yet easy to casual Salsa listener.<\/p>\n

It’s a formula that mixes well with old-style Salsa urban lyrics, as well as with Romantic ones, and can easily go from a Salsa dance swing, to a Merengue beat, as well as into a Latin Jazz. And Luguito can make all of this happen with just a handful of musicians.<\/p>\n

This is the 3rd album for Jose Lugo’s Guasabara. Unlike the 1st album, which was an excellent display of what can be done with a big band format and great guest singers and musicians, the last two albums have been more in the “combo” format.<\/p>\n

Guasabara Combo is perhaps “Luguito’s” practical evolution to perform his progressive Salsa style of music, in a smaller combo. This allows him to more easily find gigs that will allow him to meet payroll.<\/p>\n

“Donde Estan<\/em>” Has Versatility and Danceable Swing<\/h3>\n
\"Jose
“Donde Estan” is Guasabara’s 3rd recording, fine tuning their progressive Salsa style with every album.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Released in January 2016, “Donde Estan<\/em>” is Lugo’s follow-up to “Poetic Justice<\/em>” (2011), which was the album that marked Guasabara’s new Salsa sound.<\/p>\n

Within the 12 tracks, you will find danceable Salsa, like the album’s 1st single and title track “Donde Estan<\/em>“. From there, the album continues a solid track of songs, with old and new songs alike.<\/p>\n

Famed Salsa Romantica Cuban author Jorge Luis Piloto contributes a couple of songs. Additinally, Luguito goes to the classic archives to perform a new version of “La Princesa<\/em>“. This song was previously recorded by Rafael Cortijo and Orquesta Mulenze. The song provides a window into Lugo’s innovative brain.<\/p>\n

Cortijo’s version of “La Princesa<\/em>” was in Plena beat, while Mulenze’s was in form of Merengue. Lugo’s version provides glimpses of both, Plena and Merengue, with the help of master Conguero Giovanni Hidalgo, who navigates the rhythm of daiquiri with his characteristic smoothness.<\/p>\n

For the Latin Jazz<\/a> piece “Taino<\/em>“, Jose Lugo brings his Venezuelan colleague at piano Luis Perdomo<\/a> in the Wurlitzer synthesizer.<\/p>\n

Guasabara’s mostly unknown singers JoseMa Lugo (Lugo’s son, so would that make him “Luguitito”?) and Luis Omar Sanabria, do a solid performance in the vocals. Salsa veterans Lalo Rodriguez, Pichie Perez, and Ricky Villanueva provide them backup in the chorus.<\/p>\n

Guasabara’s musicians are:<\/h3>\n
\"Jan
Veteran trumpeter extraordinaire Jan Duclerc leads the unusual brass section of trumpet, flugelhorn, and sax, not common in a Salsa band.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Jan Duclerc \u2013 Trompeta<\/p>\n

Abdel Rivera \u2013 Flugel Horn<\/p>\n

Felito Rodr\u00edguez \u2013 Tenor Sax<\/p>\n

Pablo Padin \u2013 Timbal\/Drums & Bongo<\/p>\n

Luisier Rivera \u2013 Conga<\/p>\n

Jorge Rodriguez \u2013 bajo<\/p>\n

Jos\u00e9 M. Lugo \u2013 piano y sintetizado<\/p>\n

Guasabara’s “Donde Estan<\/em>” is a Salsa Gem<\/h3>\n

Jose Lugo, with his innovative arrangements, creates a full sound with a band of 7 musicians + 2 singers.<\/p>\n

I found Guasabara’s sound to be fresh yet dance-inspired Salsa. This will likely delight the musical taste of a wide range of Salsa fans. I certainly enjoyed this album!<\/p>\n

Guasabara Performs “Donde Estan<\/em>” (Video):<\/h3>\n

Here’s a good look at Guasabara in action, performing their title song.<\/p>\n