Guaschara - Review of 'Influencias' by Guaschara

Influencias is the debut album of Seattle-based Steve Guasch's new group, Guaschara. The nine tracks of newly composed 70s style salsa feels fresh while staying true to rhythm, style and feel of the Fania years. Tasty, danceable and consistently good throughout, you'll find yourself playing this album over and over again.

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Seattle-based percussionist Steve Gausch and his Nueva Era orchestra received a Latin Grammy nomination for 2006’s Siguiendo La Tradicion; now Gausch is back with a new group, Guarschara. The group’s name is a word play on Guasch plus musical genres guaracha, guajira, cha cha cha.

Gausch grew up listening to the great artists of classic salsa and, inspired to pay homage to the men and music that so influenced him, brought pianist/composer Julio Jauregui on board to handle the production and help with composition and arrangements. The result is Influencias, nine tracks of newly composed 70s style salsa that are fresh and vibrant while maintaining the feel and pace of the songs from salsa’s golden age.

This album is infectious and irresistible from beginning to end. With smooth vocals by Puerto Rican sonero Joe de Jesus and special guest Venezuela's Marcial Isturiz, Influencias opens with a sizzling "Bongocero" that will have you on your feet within minutes where you'll stay for the next forty minutes as this album is close to ideal for dancers. There's an interesting departure from tradition as Guaschara covers "Always On My Mind" by giving it some Latin rhythm and I think both Elvis and Willie Nelson would find themselves dancing to this version.

The only downside to Influencias is that it's only nine tracks long and you'll find yourself wanting it to go on and on.

Well, I just start it over again from the beginning.