Pambiche is a Dominican music genre and dance form derived from
merengue típico
Merengue típico (also known as merengue cibaeño or colloquially as perico ripiao) is a musical genre of the Dominican Republic, and the oldest style of merengue. Merengue típico is the term preferred by most musicians as it is more respectfu ...
, the traditional style of merengue. It has a slower tempo than standard merengue and its tambora rhythm is based on the
cinquillo
A cinquillo is a typical Cuban/Caribbean rhythmic cell, used in the Cuban contradanza (the " habanera") and the danzón.Mauleón, Rebeca (1993: 51). ''Salsa Guidebook: For Piano and Ensemble''. Petaluma, CA: Sher Music. The figure is also a comm ...
.
This style of merengue was originally known as ''merengue estilo yanqui'' (yankee-style merengue) or "Palm Beach one step", from which the term ''pambiche'' stems (corruption of "Palm Beach"). It is said to have originated from the americanized versions of merengue that the US military personnel performed during the occupation of the Dominican Republic. It is considered one of the most difficult americanized Latin American dances.
Recordings
Dominican accordionist El Prodigio released an album entitled ''Pambiche Meets Jazz'' in which he combined traditional merengue rhythms (most of the songs featuring pambiche) with American music styles such as
jazz
Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a m ...
,
rock
Rock most often refers to:
* Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids
* Rock music, a genre of popular music
Rock or Rocks may also refer to:
Places United Kingdom
* Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wales ...
and blues.
Both pambiche and merengue are included in
Jean Françaix
Jean René Désiré Françaix (; 23 May 1912, in Le Mans – 25 September 1997, in Paris) was a French neoclassical composer, pianist, and orchestrator, known for his prolific output and vibrant style.
Life
Françaix's natural gifts were encour ...
's suite "Cinq Danses Exotiques".
The Dominican songwriter
Juan Luis Guerra
Juan Luis Guerra Seijas (born June 7, 1957) is a Dominican musician, singer, composer, and record producer. He has sold 30 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling Latin music artists. Throughout his career, he has wo ...
has recorded several Pambiches, including the traditional merengue ''Juana Mecho'' (
Soplando
''Soplando'' is the first album by Dominican songwriter and musician Juan Luis Guerra
Juan Luis Guerra Seijas (born June 7, 1957) is a Dominican musician, singer, composer, and record producer. He has sold 30 million records worldwide, ...
, 1984) and his recent releases ''Pambiche de novia'' Privé 2020). Other pambiches are the traditional ''Juan Gomero'',
Rafael Solano
Rafael Solano Sánchez (born 10 April 1931 in San Felipe de Puerto Plata, in the Dominican Republic) is a Dominican pianist, songwriter, composer, arranger, author, and former Dominican ambassador to UNESCO.Vicente Garcia's ''Palm Beach'', and
Luys Bien
Luys Bien is a Dominican singer, musician and songwriter. He interprets poetical lyrics with a melodious voice in a variety of Latin music genres, including bachata, merengue, bolero and salsa.
Luys Bien's most recent release, ''Latidos de Tambo ...