Miguel’s Life Soundtrack Part 2
As I approach my 44th birthday and realize how important music is to my daughters, I've contemplated my musical influences throughout my lifetime. This is part 2 of a four-part series, where I cover my family's move to South Florida and my high school years.
Lado A - Foundation - Tracks 6-10
Walkman
Before the iPhone, the iPod or the Discman was the Walkman. A breakthrough portable cassette player with an ever-tangling cable, cheap orange foam headsets, and the sound quality of...... well, let's say we have come a long way since. I was so excited when I got mine, so I persuaded my parents to go to the music store and get my first cassette tape, El General's 'Estas Buena' L.P. I played it so much that it ripped and entangled in the player. If you ever had to pull all the tape carefully by hand and then roll the cassette back with a pencil, you know what I'm talking about. The cassette was ruined, but 'Te Ves Buena' was destined to be a classic.
First Crush
We moved to Hialeah, FL, in the summer of 1992, just in time to experience the worst hurricane to hit Florida, Hurricane Andrew, and just before entering the 7th grade. As my Mom was asking around for school information, she was told many horror stories about the crime and drug problems at the local public school, José Martí. So, during our first year in Miami, we attended a private school, Roblanca. The stories about the local public school were exaggerated, and we attended the following year. There is not much to tell about Roblanca; most kids were not welcoming, light-skinned Cuban Americans who barely spoke Spanish. But then there was Hosanna; I never had the guts or the words to talk to her as she was one of the most popular girls. In our few interactions, she was lovely. She and her friends got to perform in a couple of talent shows during the year, and their bit was singing to TLC's 'Chasing Waterfalls.' To be honest, I had no clue who TLC was at the time, but until this day I groove to that song.
Within Our Bubble
I've never been a music fan. Don't get me wrong, I like music and grew up with music around me, but I didn't spend time learning about artists, lyrics or collecting CDs. It could be due to my mind not being able to memorize lyrics, not having the funds to buy CDs, or not having the time. I absorbed my music from the people around me. My parents were the most significant influence. My dad would listen to La Fania and older salsa, but my Mom was at home most of the time, and she controlled the radio. This meant a lot of Merengue House and bands like Proyecto Uno and Oro Solido. Oro Solido's iconic beeper 📟 dance, 'Ta Encendío,' is still a hit when I visit my parents. I thought this was so normal for Caribbean Latin families until I met my wife Vanessa and realized she had no clue about Proyecto Uno's 'El Tiburon,' Oro Solido's 'Baile del Gorila,' or Freddy Gerardo's 'Dame del Pollito.'
Say No to War, Dance Booty
During the 80s and 90s, there was a little-known hip-hop genre called Miami Bass, or booty music, as the locals called it. Not in the same league as Tupac's complex California vibes or the distinctive lyrical delivery of Biggie Smalls, Miami Bass was about the party. While New York and L.A.'s rappers were going to war over their music, we were partying to booty music in Miami. There were a few hits that reached the Top 20, like "Whoomp! (There It Is)" by Tag Team, "Tootsee Roll" by 69 Boyz, "C'mon N' Ride It (The Train)" by the Quad City DJ's and "Whoot, There It Is" by 95 South. But my favorite, as he mixed the genre with his Latin roots, was the Pimp with the Limp, D.J. Laz. 'Esa Morena'
Besame
I graduated from Barbara Goleman High School in 1998. Although I enjoyed high school, I did not experience it like I would imagine regular students would. You see, I attended high school for half a day; the other half, I would bus over to George T Baker, an aviation vocational school. After class, I was bused back to play with the volleyball team or assist with the lady's team. For most of it, I had to go to night and summer school to make up for missing credits due to the vocational school. All that to say, unlike the movies, I didn't belong to any one click; I was more of a floater with acquaintances in different groups and didn't spend enough time in school to make enemies. Except for the volleyball team, we spent a lot of time together, and I regret not putting more effort into keeping up with them after graduation. However, one of my fondest memories is hanging out with my girlfriend and her family, discussing the Dolphins and Brett Favre's Packers, and visiting the auto shows. Oh yeah, the song. Elvis Crespo's 'Suavemente' was released during my senior year, and it was an instant hit and felt like you couldn't escape it. Today, it reminds me of good high school memories.