IN THE TRUNK: “Camino de la Vida” by Sergent Garcia (Audio)

“Camino de la Vida” is a classic in the deck. When I press play it brings up two memories — stuff my mom would sing to and stuff I later came to love. Sergent Garcia was born somewhere between Belleville, France and Valencia, Spain. On his records he sings in Spanish, French, and English.  Garcia, also known as Bruno, used to play guitar for a French punk band called Ludwig Von 88 from the 1980’s to the 1990’s. He came out with his first LP around 1997, and continues to record today, along with an international tour list that spans Europe, Latin America, and last summer he performed at the Stern Grove Festival in San Francisco. “Camino de la Vida” is from is his second album, Un Poqito Quema’o which roughly translates into slightly burnt. Sergent Garcia‘s musical style is a mixture of Reggae and Salsa which he calls “Salsamuffin.”

The song itself caught my attention because it uses the beat from a very popular song “What You See Is What You Get” by The Dramatics. How he came up with the idea to make the rhymes in Spanish mix with this I’m not sure, but it blends beautifully. In fact, I think The Dramatics would be proud of their influence on “Camina de la Vida.” The composition of the horns and Spanish rhymes are well delivered melodically to provide that instantaneous head nod. One of the things about the song that I enjoy the most is the start of each verse, and the beginning of each chorus where the beat uses guitar, bass, and trumpets to rise and fall. It feels like you’re being snuck up on, again and again. Both Sergent and guest vocalist, “La Capitana” who rhymes on the chorus, deliver a classic song. But, don’t take my word for it, listen for yourself below. Un Poquito Quema’o can be purchased on iTunes or Last.fm.

“Caminio de la Vida” from Un Poqito Quema’o

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Robert Liu-Trujillo

Parent, illustrator, author, owner of Come Bien Books, muralist, activist, and self-proclaimed believer in the power of music and its infinite sonic vibrations. Follow him @RobertTres

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