Aguakate is a Dominican merengue típico group formed in New York in 2003 around the singer Gerpis Correa, known as Shino Aguakate, which mixed the accordion sound with reggaeton and urban merengue.

Formation

Music directories say the group was created by José Mateo Peligro together with Correa, on the label Peligro Records. The name comes from a word Correa used constantly to say that everything was fine; the producer took it as a proposal for the band. The early lineup listed accordionist Belarminio Liriano, Pedro Lantigua on congas, Waldi on guitar, Alejandro on bass, DJ Chucky on piano, Diógenes on saxophone, Fermín Flores on backing vocals and Eddie on percussion.

Records

In 2004 the group signed with Universal Latino and released its debut «De otra galaxia», a twelve-track album that includes «La gallinita», «Mueva esa vaina», «La agarradera», «El divorcio», «Solo con un beso» and «Reggaeton ripiao». In March 2004 came the live album «En vivo desde Santo Domingo», and the same year «Aguakate vs Krisspy: mano a mano», with Krisspy, on Mambo Records. «Crazyssimo» followed in August 2006 with «Tu pussycat» and «La conquista», recorded with Sergio Vargas, and «Quiero verte», with Don Miguelo. A 2015 release of «Pussy Cat» credits Aguakate alongside Oro Sólido and Mala Fe.

Split and return

The group broke up in 2006 when Correa began a solo project as Shino Aguakate with the producer Frasier Hernández, who encouraged him to combine styles. It returned in 2010 with Correa as leader and shareholder, most of the former musicians back and management by M&M Enterprises. It has toured Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Alaska, Canada and several US cities, and in June 2011 played the Puerto Rican Festival organized by the station La Mega 97.9 at 112th Street and Third Avenue in Manhattan, with «El amor que perdimos», «Danza kuduro» and «Aléjate de mí».

Style

The band played fast merengue típico with rapid instrumental solos and mixed it with romantic merengue, reggaeton and urban rhythms. In «Reggaeton ripiao» the rhythm changes from merengue to a reggaeton pattern adapted for the tambora, a mixture that was controversial among típico purists.

Legacy

Aguakate is documented through its albums with Universal and the later career of Correa, who continues under the name Shino Aguakate.