Caceres was born in Buenos Aires in 1936 and began his musical career as a jazz trombonist. In the 1960s, he moved to Paris and became a renowned pianist, singer, and songwriter with a broad range of musical expertise in tango, milonga, candombe, and murga.

I just bought his albums “Utopia” and “Tango Negro.” Some of the songs are great for dancing, and overall the music is quite special. We all know that tango and milonga have their roots in African music, which manifests itself in candombe (a precursor to milonga, originally played by African Americans, with a stronger focus on rhythm and usually a rhythm section). Caceres musically journeys back to these roots and plays authentic candombes (e.g., “Macumambe”). Interestingly, his rougher voice can sound very sensual and sophisticated (for example, “Tengo miedo de olvidarme”). Tangos in his style even sound like candombe (e.g., “Pantera Negra”). The first video tells the story and background of his 2005 album “Murga,” in which he describes how he returned to these roots.

Other important pieces are “Tango Negro” (Video 2) and “Toca Tango” (Video 3), which are excellent as danceable Candombes. I’ve also included a few more videos so you can hear Caceres, who truly embodies the roots of tango, live.

Greetings,

-Richard

Other life performances of Caceres: