Antonio Caban Vale

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Antonio Caban Vale (aka "El Topo") (born November 22, 1942 in Moca, Puerto Rico) - composer and singer.

Antonio "El Topo" Caban Vale

Caban is best know as a singer and composer of Puerto Rican folklore themes. He was born and raised in the town of Moca which is located in the western part of Puerto Rico. There he received his primary and secondary educations; he later moved to San Juan and in 1961, enrolled at the University of Puerto Rico. He wrote poems as a student which were published in the university's publication "Guajara"; it was during his time at university that he was nicknamed "El Topo", a name which has stuck with him.

In 1966, Caban earned his Bachelor's Degree in Arts and Social Sciences and soon after his graduation, he became a public school teacher, a job which he held for two years. In the 1970s, he formed a group called "Taone" and added music to his poems - he was the lead singer of the group. Amongst the songs which Caban recorded and that made him famous in Puerto Rico are:

"Flor de Amapola" (Amapola Flower / Poppy);
"Que Bonita Luna" (What a Beautiful Moon);
"Donde vas Maria" (Where are you going Maria?);
"Canciones de Amantes" (Songs for Lovers) and
"Verde Luz" (Green Light), which has also been sung by the Argentine singer Ginamaria Hidalgo.

The Department of Services against Drugs used his song "Expresa lo que Sientes" (Express What You Feel) as their theme tune. In the 1990s, he wrote and recorded:

"La Patria Va";
"Un Metro de Ternura".

Caban has published two books with his poems; the first is entitled "Un Lugar Fuera de Tiempo" (A Place from Another Time) and is based on his experiences as a young man in his hometown Moca and the second "Penultima Salida" (The exit before the Last), deals with his personal quest in search for the "truth".

Caban is currently touring and promoting his latest recording. His musical style includes the use of those musical instruments which are typically Puerto Rican such as the "Cuatro" (A Puerto Rican Guitar) and the "Guiro".

In 2001, the 6th International Book Fair celebrated at the Roberto Clemente Colesium in San Juan was dedicated to Antonio "El Topo" Caban Vale.