The Gaitán Brothers Produce a Sonic Celebration of Latin Sounds
One hundred million CDs sold is, by any measure, an impressive achievement. The brothers Gaitán — Ricardo and Alberto — their songs, productions and arrangements, have pumped up an enviable cadre of Latin music’s most prominent artists: Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin, and Paulina Rubio among them. Their behind-the-board prowess for Jaci Velazquez resulted in a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Pop Album of the Year, and they were nominated as songwriters and producers for their work on “Ay Bueno” for Fernadito Villalona, a BMI Award-winning song.
Based in Miami and allied with producer Emilio Estefan, Jr., the duo is now branching out into movie projects, including the single “Welcome to my Empire” from the feature Empire and their “Taca Taca,” featured in the film Chasing Papi. They also helmed music chores for Nuevas Voces de America (New Voices of America), a show created by broadcasting powerhouse Telemundo.
Also within the Estefan camp, the brothers have completed work on the new Gloria Estefan album 90 Millas, (90 Miles) with Emilio Estefan, Jr. The concept album — a tribute to Cuban music, from danzon, to rumba, mambo and what is known today as salsa — was two years in the making.
Growing up in Panama, the Gaitán brothers formed their first band, Ipakto, a tropical/Latin music configuration, shortly after high school. In 1997, they were honored as Best New Artist in Panama, and were subsequently selected to represent their country at the prestigious El Festival de la Canción OTI song contest. It was a watershed moment, as they came onto the radar of Estefan, who subsequently invited them to work with him in Miami.
The pair is now emerging as artists in their own right, working under the signature marquee of “Gaitanes.” Encompassing elements of salsa, bachatta and reggaetón, their artist’s debut, Monte Adentro, pays endearing homage to their Panamanian roots as the title track, enlivened by traditional violin, contrasts with “Asi es mi Vida.” Their radio friendly pop sensibilities are evident on “ No Te Vayas Ahora” (in both pop and salsa versions), and the dance-floor fervor of reggaetón remixes designed to pack dance floors from South Beach to South America.
The sound of Gaitanes — their songs, arrangements and productions for other artists — shares joyful rhythms, melodic inventiveness and lyrical hooks. With their sonic celebration, they encapsulate the energy emanating from the Latin music capitol of Miami, paying reverent homage to the history of Latin music while shaping its future.
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