Kako

Francisco Bastar, known widely as a leading timbalero and bandleader who also served occasionally as an executive at Alegre Records, issued leader dates only occasionally yet shaped Latin music substantially from his first appearances in the 1950s through the close of the century. Born in San Juan’s Barrio Obrero, he supported himself initially as a dancer before taking up percussion, covering timbales, conga, and bongo, in groups directed by Arsenio Rodriguez, Tito Puente, and Mongo Santamaria. A lone single appeared on the SMC label in the late 1950s, after which he aligned himself with the newly launched Alegre imprint. Founder Al Santiago engaged him for A&R duties and management while Kako also performed on the label’s earliest sessions by Mon Rivera, Felipe Rodriguez, and Johnny Rodriguez.

His first full-length album followed in 1961 on Alegre as Kako Y Su Combo, Vol. 1, the opening entry in a series, and he simultaneously introduced a house band assembled by Charlie Palmieri under the name Alegre All Stars. In 1964 that collective recorded under Kako’s leadership, featuring Palmieri, Israel “Cachao” Lopez, Louie Ramirez, and Joe Quijano among its personnel, on Tributo a Noro Morales, a tribute to the popular 1940s bandleader and close personal friend. The same year Alegre presented another all-star outfit with the LP Puerto Rico All Stars Featuring Kako, captured in Puerto Rico two years earlier. Kako participated in the Alegre All Stars’ third and fourth albums during the late 1960s, then recorded 1968’s Live It Up for Musicor with Camilo Azuquita. He also performed with the Salsa All Stars, reuniting many former Alegre colleagues, and with the Cesta All Stars formed around Joe Quijano’s Cesta Records before issuing his final leader album, 1976’s Union Dinamica. Although he appeared on one more Alegre All Stars anniversary LP the following year, no further sessions occurred after the early 1980s. He continued performing, however, and assembled a band with his son, percussionist Richie Bastar, during the 1990s.