Kako

A favorite timbalero, bandleader, and occasional label professional for Alegre Information, Kako recorded like a head just sparingly, but contributed very much to the advancement of Latin music from his debut in the 1950s to the finish of the hundred years. Blessed Francisco Bastar in San Juan’s Barrio Obrero, Kako proved helpful being a dancer in early stages and started playing percussion — including timbales, conga, and bongo — for rings led by Arsenio Rodriguez, Tito Puente, and Mongo Santamaria. He documented an individual for the SMC label in the past due ’50s, and immediately after began a link with the brand new Alegre imprint. Founded by Al Santiago, the label employed Kako for A&R and administration function; he also performed over the label’s early recordings by Mon Rivera, Felipe Rodriguez, and Johnny Rodriguez. In 1961, Kako produced his full-length debut — on Alegre, natch — with Kako Y Su Combo, Vol. 1, the very first in a string. He also debuted with a fresh house band, arranged by Charlie Palmieri and called the Alegre All Superstars. In 1964, the collective made an appearance under Kako’s very own command — with Palmieri, Israel “Cachao” Lopez, Louie Ramirez, and Joe Quijano, amongst others — for Tributo a Noro Morales, a tribute to the favorite ’40s bandleader and close personal friend. That same calendar year, Alegre debuted another all-star music group using the LP Puerto Rico All Superstars Featuring Kako, documented in Puerto Rico 2 yrs earlier. Through the past due ’60s, Kako also made an appearance on the 3rd and 4th LPs through the Alegre All Celebrities, then shifted to Musicor for 1968’s superb Live It Up, documented with Camilo Azuquita. He also worked well within the Salsa All Celebrities (with a lot of his older Alegre close friends) as well as the Cesta All Celebrities (structured around Joe Quijano’s Cesta Information), after that released one last LP under his personal name, 1976’s Union Dinamica. Though Kako also documented one year later on for an Alegre All Celebrities wedding anniversary LP, he didn’t show up on any times following the early ’80s. He continuing playing, nevertheless, and structured a band along with his boy, percussionist Richie Bastar, through the ’90s.