In a surprising turn of events, Robert Martino, who had previously left Top Vice to join Sweet Micky, has returned to his former band. The move raised eyebrows within the industry, especially given the complicated history between Martino’s family and Sweet Micky, fronted by Michel Martelly.
After joining Sweet Micky, Martino participated in several interviews where he openly criticized his former bandmates from Top Vice. This controversial behavior added to the shock of his initial departure. However, the partnership between Martino and Sweet Micky was short-lived. It soon became apparent that Martino’s style was not a good fit for Sweet Micky’s musical direction. According to insiders, Martelly began searching for a younger guitarist just months after Martino joined, expressing concerns that Martino’s playing made the band sound dated.
The reasons behind Martino’s decision to join Sweet Micky remain unclear. Given the previous tensions between his family—particularly his son Roberto and Reynaldo—and Sweet Micky, many thought such a collaboration was unlikely. Nonetheless, Martino’s departure from Top Vice and subsequent criticism of his former bandmates caught the industry off guard.
The reunion with Top Vice comes after several weeks of negotiation. Despite the harsh words exchanged, it seems Martino has found his way back to the band he once left. As for Ralph Conde, who is currently Top Vice’s guitarist, the band’s future lineup remains uncertain. While Conde is staying with Top Vice for now, how the band will navigate having two prominent guitarists is yet to be seen.
Martino’s return to Top Vice marks the end of a brief but tumultuous chapter in his career and suggests that even in the often unpredictable world of music, some ties are never truly severed.
