Which Colombian group recorded the salsa song 'Cali Pachanguero'?

Grupo Niche recorded the salsa song “Cali Pachanguero.”

Written by the group’s founder Jairo Varela, the song was released in 1984 on the album No hay quinto malo. Its affectionate portrait of Cali, Colombia, helped make it an anthem of the city and one of the best-known songs in Colombian salsa. The title also nods to pachanga’s influence on Cali’s dance culture.

Grupo Niche was founded in Bogotá in 1979 by Varela and Alexis Lozano, then relocated to Cali in 1983. That move deepened the connection between the orchestra and the city celebrated in the song. “Cali Pachanguero” became a signature recording even though the group’s lineup and vocalists changed over the years.

A common mix-up is Orquesta Guayacán, which was founded by former Niche co-founder Alexis Lozano. Guayacán is another major Colombian salsa group, but it did not record the original “Cali Pachanguero.” The song’s best-known early vocal is associated with Moncho Santana.