Like a besotted lover, Madrid based legendary spin master Deejay Paco Perez appears entranced by his music, humming it gingerly.
He occasionally purses his lips, bobs his head and stares into space, but the passion is palpable as he lets his hands speak on his behalf- as he mixes one music into another with amazing synchronization using an LP setting the pace for the partying mood.
This was way back in the late 70’s to 80’s at clubs Somberero ( now Hollywood) and Boomerang (formerly Ainsworth) where one of the greatest deejays Paco Perez –churned out a variety of music ranging from Soul, House and Rhythm and Blues amidst cheers from hundreds of fans present at the club.
Today, nearly fifteen years after relocating back to his country the celebrated veteran disc jockey Madrid based Paco Perez 66, is back in the country.
Perez who single handedly revolutionized Kenyan disc jockeying arena in the late 70’s all through to 90’s, arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Wednesday night aboard Emirates Airline.
He will stage an exclusive show on Saturday night dubbed The Third Edition of Soultrain at Deep West Club and Resort, Nairobi West, to relive the days when music had soul and clubs boomed on Saturday night.
The event organized by Kenyan veteran dancer Paul Cracker Munyao will witness a number of revellers from all walks of life throng the venue for a special live event from one of the greatest deejays of all time.
The artiste who is visiting Kenya for the third time with his recent visits being in 2011 and 2012, during which he performed at popular Nairobi clubs says he is delighted to be in Kenya which he refers to as his second home.
With gate charges pegged at Sh1000 per person, Paco says he will use the opportunity to explore a variety of music from the 80’s to early 90’s, using a Vinyl player and other evergreen classics taking revelers down memory lane.
“This is one event you cannot afford to miss. I am pleased to invite all Kenyans and none Kenyans to the great celebration that will keep them dancing all night long,” he says adding that he will ensure that fans literally ‘eat’ from the palms of his hands.
Local deejays among them Adams, Babs, Hussein Abdalla, Ken and Justine will grace the occasion.
Popular dancers like Rare Watts, Charles Nganga, Cracker Munyao and Yellow man will use the opportunity to showcase their skills.
Perez first came to Kenya in 1974 and is still fondly remembered by many fans who frequented the Nairobi party scene.
Veteran dancer Paul ‘Cracker’ Munyao still remembers the 1980s much-publicised dancing competitions held at Boomerang Club, Museum Hill. He recalls that Paco Perez would play rare hit soul music from his collection.
"His mixing contributed hugely to my winning of the 1988 Motorbike Competition," enthuses Cracker.
“Perez was the best," says Abdul adding: "He mixed and scratched manually. He taught many DJs including Tito, Shabadoo, Adams, Stone and others."
And the great part they remember, is that Perez did not charge them a cent. Those were the days before the FM radio stations; Kenya was a one party state and a one TV station state. Clubs were the in thing and soul was rocking; DJs and dancers who came up with own dance styles in the break dance era were demigods.
The popular joints then were Bubbles, Annabells, Moi Avenue (behind Nation Centre), Beat House, Visions — frequented by the mature, working class, Club 1900 (now Shamuras) and Boomerang, Museum Hill and also Hollywood, opposite Nakumatt lifestyle. There was also Dreams Sahara City along the Mombasa Highway. Golden oldies
Perez first came to Kenya, 1974, during which he was played guitar with an orchestra at the Intercontinental Hotel.
In 1977, he did music at Tamango Club before returning to Canary Islands, Spain, where he learnt deejaying tricks.
He jockeyed in different discotheques in Spain, before coming to Kenya in the early 1980s.
In 1989, he went back to his country, unaware of the revolution he had awakened in Kenya.
Back in Spain, Perez opened a restaurant in Madrid, and he continues to play music with different bands.
"We have decided to welcome Perez back, and have kind of a party with the people who knew us then, those people who are still diehard funky soul fans," says Cracker.