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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZPAMPINI, Gabino(b Gabino Espinosa, Panama) Sonero (improvising salsa singer), coming forward just as the art seemed to be dying, described by UK broadcaster Tomek as a 'gravelly, soulful, intimate, tasty, sassy panameño'. Recorded in Panama with Roberto y su Zafra and El Combo Impacto, songs with these two groups later collected on album Otra Vez Gabino Pampini '88. Pampini took up residence in Miami, where he sang lead vocals on half of Y Ahora La Tremenda Salsa De Hern n Gutiérrez y su Orquesta '80 (reissued in Colombia as La Hermandad Latina under Pampini's name) by the extraordinary Colombian pianist, arranger, composer and flautist Gutiérrez, who played and arranged for Fruko y sus Tesos in the '70s, appearing on that band's El Violento '73 and El Caminante '74. In '84 Gabino shared lead vocals with Cuban Israel 'Kantor' Sardiñas (ex-Los Van Van) and Colombian Oscar Alberto Abueta (see Grupo Niche) on Gutiérrez's classic Con Sacrificio, an outstanding salsa album of the '80s. Gutiérrez died soon after his masterpiece, but Pampini perpetuated his original sound as a solo artist backed by his group Fuerza Noble, co-led by bassist, arranger and composer Ricardo Lance (from Barranquilla, Colombia), and made three albums with them in Miami '87-8, all titled Fuerza Noble. The lineup had two or three trombones, two trumpets, rhythm section (conga, bongo, timbales, bass and piano) and voices, including ex-Sonora Ponceña lead singer Yolanda Rivera in the chorus. In '90 his patronage by Colombia's salsa audience at home and abroad was consolidated with the monster hit 'Mi Vecina', a track he recorded in Colombia as a guest on Frivolo '89 by Grupo Gal‚ (led by percussionist, arranger, composer, singer and producer Diego Gal‚). Also in '90 Pampini made Las Aventuras Musicales de Gabino Pampini in Miami, a one-off for the major Latin record company TH-Rodven. His Con Mas Fuerza '92 was recorded in Bogotá on Colombian BMG/RCA. |