Super Sonido

Archive Page 7

Los Destellos

Published June 28, 2009 Boogaloo , Cumbia , Descarga , Garage/Rock 22 Comments

Under the direction of lead guitarist Enrique Delgado, Los Destellos (the sparkles, like a star) are pretty much known as the founders of Cumbia Peruana circa 1966. Now I am pretty sceptical about using the word chicha to define their genre of music. I feel that chicha is more associated with 70’s and 80’s transient Andean cumbia, a music that is probably rooted more in Amerindian sounds, beliefs and the harshness of the Amerindian experience (hardship, displacement, lament). Whether they influenced the chicha movement later on or became part of it by default, I’m not 100% sure. However, Los Destellos appear to be more part of the Lima Mestizo culture (mixture of Indian/Spanish blood). And can be reflected in the way which their sounds fuse Latin boogaloo, psychedelic rock, soul, Colombian cumbia, tropical and indigenous music in a whole host of ways.

2. Los Destellos: Cumbia Morena

3. Los Destellos: Boogaloo De Los Destellos

Charangos(Andean mandolins), requintos, and guitars are a huge part of Peruvian musical culture. Tavern life is filled with them supposedly. So any transition to a modern sound would probably have been seem-less for a group like the guitar laden Destellos. And Peruvian music at this time seems to really embrace the electric guitar. The Cumbia Morenais a great example of them playing a traditional Colombian cumbia with this more electric sound. Whereas, the Boogaloo De Los Destellos almost sounds like a Latin version of the American psychedelic rock band The Byrds. With an electric 12 string and the highly melodic guitar playing, it reminded me instantly of Roger Mcguinn’s style.

4. Los Destellos: Me Resignare

The albums I’m posting are in order by catalogue number. I have a few other LP’s that should be in this group, but I have seemed to have misplaced them. Maybe I’ll amend this post if I ever find them. But for the most part this is pretty good discography and I am trying to run the entire gamut of sounds Los Detellos produced. On a side note I know that from looking at some of the musicians in the band that they show up in other groups on the Odeon/Iempsa label. The dude playing the bongos is in Los Orientales De Paramonga. Perhaps they were session musicians at the time.

5. Los Destellos: Carnaval De Arequipa

6. Los Destellos: Boogaloo Del Perro

Arequipa is a the second largest city in Peru and is way up in the Andean Mountains. This song is a pretty traditional number. You’re probably more likely to hear this tune being played by Andean pan-pipe and poncho musicians. Definitely on the chicha tip this one.

7. Los Destellos: Noche De Garua

Garuais the dry winds that hit the lower western slopes of the Andes creating a low-level of cloud. Within the Andes Mountains the garua blocks out the sun for the cooler six months of the year, and there is almost no rainfall during this period. With the title, this instrumental song sounds almost like something the Ventures would do. Surf/garage music was pretty big in Peru in the early 60’s. Groups like Los Saicos, Los Shains, Los Yorks, Los Doltons are to name a few.

8. Los Destellos: El Pacifico

9. Los Destellos: El Electrico

10: Los Destellos: La Cumbia Del Sol

11. Los Destellos: Tu Donde Estas

Hands down my all time favorite record of Los Destellos. In fact, I like it so much I began to eat to lower right hand corner of the album cover. Peep the break beat ballad Tu Donde Estas (where are you?), it’s a hip-hop track waiting to be copped.

12. Los Destellos: Constelacion

13. Los Destellos: Pachanga Espanola

I probably have 3 more Los Destellos records, but like always, their later stuff just isn’t as good. Apparently Los Destellos had a resurgence of popularity in the 80’s that lasted until Enrique Delgado died in the early 90’s. The band still performs today, but I believe it’s the widowed wife of Enrique who runs the band now. If I find any more records of theirs, I’ll amend the post. Also, thanks to all the Japanese viewers as of late who have been vibing this site. Word!

Carlos Canzani y La Nueva Canción

Published June 26, 2009 Boleros y Baladas , Garage/Rock Leave a Comment

1. Carlos Canzani: Aguaragua

2. Carlos Canzani: Parana

I don’t know about your town, but it seems that the San Francisco Bay Area has been sprouting up with all sorts of indie-folk, alt-folk, and freak-folk bands over the last 10 years. The popularity of this genre tends to ebb and flow with the uncertainty of an era and the overall reflections of it’s time and space. Look back to 1960’s South America and we can find a similar uncertianty of that epoch. Poverty, political anxiety, and an overall distrust in government are key themes that helped foster the folk music movement called the Nueva Canción (new song) in places like Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay.

Pretty amazing and obscure stuff from the Uruguayan Carlos Canzani, who later played with the popular Chilean prog/folk group Los Jaivas. The 1974 recording of Aguaragua is probably a little bit more on the experimental side than the political Nueva Canción movement. Or maybe his lyrics just aren’t as overt on the topics of poverty, human rights, and imperialism as his peers were. Either-way, Canzani was exiled to Argentina and finally France just like most artists from that movement, some of whom met an even darker fate.

British folk influences like Nick Drake/Cat Stevens and Brazilian Tropicália are evident throughout this record. Paraná is a state/province and river in Brazil. And if I had to guess, aguaragua is a nonsensical word. Basically he’s stating in the song that no one can tell him what he can or cannot say, even if it makes no sense. Carlos Canzani is still alive today and still retains a certain global popularity. If you can find it, highly recommended record. Well made LP from start to finish.

Los Souls: The Carlos Santana Effect

Published June 19, 2009 Garage/Rock , Queso 3 Comments

1. Los Souls: Oye Como Va

I ran into this LP today and to be quite frank with you people, I fucking hate this song. In fact, I was going to choose another tune off this album but I had a change of heart. The reason being that one can’t deny Santana’s Latin rock cover crossover version of Oye Como Va (listen, hey what’s up?) had a pretty big impact on thousands of crappy bands south of the border. I can’t tell you how many albums I have that shamefully try to sound like the San Francisco based Latin hippie rock group. But to be honest with you I love crossover music, so given that, I have tons of respect. Purchased this one in Mexico City a while back.

Los Souls played in small clubs and Hotels in Mexico City’s Zona Rosa (red light district) throughout the 70’s. Some members went on to start a prog rock group, some became taxi drivers, one became a principle of an elementary school, and the drummer died in a plane crash (cause that what happens to all rock drummers). Actually I’m totally lying to you. I have no idea what this band is all about but I have the feeling I’m not far from the truth.

Cumbia Arabe

Published June 12, 2009 Cumbia 2 Comments

1. Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán: Cumbia Arabe

I am so lucky I didn’t throw this 45 in the “I’ll go through these 45’s later” bin. Usually when I see the word Mariachi, ill toss the 45 straight into that abyss I have created in my basement. But fortunately I saw the words Cumbia + Arabe (Arab) on it, a song which I am very familiar with.

Thanks to everyone who liked my earlier Afrosound post. It got a lot of attention and it’s one of the reasons why I am posting this 45. This song was originally written by them (Francisco Bobadillo/Afrosound) and despite being a bit more heavy on the Mariachi orchestration, this cover tune is almost exactly like it’s original.

Tecalitlán is located in the central state of Jalisco and it is pretty much the birth place of Mariachi music. Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán created the sound in 1897 and after 5 generations, they still perform today. This is a really great link to see how popular South American music is/was in Mexico and how cumbia was gaining ground with regional styles at the time.

Trying to do a Los Destellos post this Sunday. Please cross your fingers.

Nueva Cumbia Argentina

Published June 6, 2009 Cumbia , Electro Latino 4 Comments

1. Princesa: Aqui Princesa (Marcela Fabian RMX)

Just got this EP in the mail today and I couldn’t be happier. Excellent selection of remixes by some emerging South American talent.

Soot records is the brainchild of New York Dj and producer Jace Clayton aka Dj /rupture. You can listen to his radio show called “Mudd Up!” on Wednesdays, 7-8p.m. on WFMU New Jersey/New York. And you can check him out on his blog Mudd Up! Looks like the Soot records label website isn’t up yet, but I highly anticipate any future releases.

I couldn’t find out too much info on Princesa, but the other dj’s I’m familiar with via the Bersa Discos label. To be honest with you I’m not a huge fan of reggaetón, let alone this new school of cumbiaton (cumbia/reggaetón fusion). To me it’s really hit or miss. However, this Princesa track seems to really hit me where it counts. It reminds me of the more old school Reggae en Español popularized by Central American/Panamanian artists like Nando Boom and El General. This minimal Spanish dancehall, dem bow, Shabba Ranks influenced stuff is where it’s at. There is a sick Los Destellos rmx by Sonido Martines also, which happens to be one of my favorite cumbia/psyche groups out of 60’s/70’s Peru (I’ll do an article on them soon).

Turntable Lab carries this joint and Juno in Europe. Highly recommended.

Ojo

Published May 31, 2009 Electro Latino , Events Leave a Comment

Ojo was founded in 2005 by visual artists Joshua Aster, Justin Cole, Eamon Ore-Giron, Chris Avitabile, Moises Medina, and Brenna Youngblood, OJO is formed around a mutual interest in experimenting with acoustic guitars, electronics, musical spontaneity, freeform improvisation, and the boundaries between audience and performer. The group uses a wide range of instruments—drum machines, basses, guitars, synthesizers, salt, cars—as well as their own bodies and those of their audience, clapping, chanting, stomping, and singing to generate sprawling improvisations.

OJO has created projects for Queen’s Nails Annex in San Francisco, Esthetics as a Second Language (available as a CD produced by James Welling), LAXART (available as an LP from laxart.org), BANK, Lizabeth Oliveria Gallery, Discos Unicornio, and A+D Museum in Los Angeles. The group has also performed at the Hammer Museum, TRUDI, and Track 16, Los Angeles, and on KXLU 88.9FM.

The first performance will be taking place @ the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) this coming Thursday, June 4th. If you’re in Los Angeles at the time check them out. For more info go here:

http://www.moca.org/party/ojo_index.html

Generation Bass vs. Cumbia Siglo XX

Published May 31, 2009 Electro Latino 2 Comments

1. Grandpamini: 2 Bit Thugs vs. Cumbia Siglo XX & Lolo Lotita & Tchico Tchicaya

I think I found my brother from another mother at the Generation Bass audio blog. From now on I’ll be following this site. Peep the Grandpamini mash-up above (but please go check them out). The mysterious Dj Roger Mas mashes-up the same song below. We were actually going to release that song 3 months ago as a 45 on our Discos Unicornio label, but we opted for another Siglo XX mix instead. Ill post it for you guys this week. WORD!!!

2. Dj Roger Mas: Roger Mas vs. Cumbia XX

Palo De Mayo

Published May 29, 2009 Afro Latin , Latin Roots 9 Comments

1. Grupo Gamma: Tu lu lu lu

I had the opportunity to live and work in Nicaragua from 1993 to 1994. I lived between my uncles house/my mother’s birthplace in Ciudad Dario and Granada . So whether I was in a bus, a bar, at a party, or in a market I probably heard this song on a daily basis.

The genre of music is actually called Palo De Mayo (The May Pole) which is a month long May Day festival on the Carribean Coast of Central America. It originated in Bluefields Nicaragua in the 17th century and the celebration includes a maypole, which is a tall wooden pole, which is decorated with several long colored ribbons suspended from the top.

The festival, the music, and the culture of the Atlantic coast of Nicaragua is in itself a potent cross-fertilization of African, Creole, Garifuna, Jamaican/Caribbean, Indigenous, and Latin cultures. The song really sounds like a mixture of traditional African rhythms, soca, paranda and Calypso style music. From what I understand, Grupo Gamma probably made a living playing parties and going door to door playing their music in the month of May. The song Tu lu lu lu pasa (to pass) basically is naming off the people coming, going, passing (be it in life, death, or dance I suppose). There are various versions of the song, always naming someone different and I’ve heard a faster merengue version as well.

El Ultimo Adiós

Published May 18, 2009 Boleros y Baladas , Boogaloo , Garage/Rock , Latin Funk/Soul , Latin Roots , Salsa 2 Comments

Possibly one of the best indicators of a economic recession is when I start selling records on ebay. Wall Street should use that as an economic barometer of some sorts. Anyway, it was around November when I first drafted this post, business was slow, I was bored, and I had an urge to unload some wax. I tend to slang vinyl when I start thinking I have way too many records or when I am just not that into the music (I usually end up with sellers remorse). Nevertheless, I just so happened to record some of the 45’s that I sold, songs which I was luke-warm with at the time. And the 45’s in this post are a sample of such.

Its a real mixed bag in terms of genres. From Mexican ska, cha-cha, garage, son, salsa ect. ect. I won’t get into much detail about each band, but I’ll let you guys decide if I made a good choice or not. Please note, that at the time, I scanned the images so small that I am now unable to read them or know some of the artist’s names. Damn I am full of regret today.

1. Locos Del Ritmo: Donde Vas

2. Hermanos Carrion: Con Golondrinas

3. Los Johnny Jets: Dracula A Go Go

4. Desconocido (Los Yonicos?): Guapachosa

5. Toño Quirazco: La Familia

6. Johnny Zamot Y Su Orquesta: Oye Nicola

7. Memo Salamanca: Oye Rumbito

8. Desconocido (Can’t read the name): Viva Tirado

Mas Discoteca

Published May 16, 2009 Events 1 Comment

I had the opportunity to DJ Mas Discoteca last year and it disheartens me that I can’t partake in the big fun that will be going down on May the 23rd.

But, if any of you happen to be in the Los Angeles area at the time, I highly recommend that you show up to this party. Mas Discoteca is the bigger and better version of the very successful weekly party Mas Exitos. Hosted by Chico Sonido, Ganas, Dj Lengua, Enorbito, and Hoseh:a conglomerate of young Latin artists, musicians, and dj’s. Also, with special guests Tropicaza (Vampi Soul Records) and Dr. Ruds (Systema Local).

This will be the party everyone will be talking about in 2009. Chico Sonido record release? Fuck I want a copy of that!

Funky Yucatan

Published May 9, 2009 Cumbia , Latin Funk/Soul 4 Comments

1. Chicken Y Sus Comandos: Caminando Despacito

When one thinks of music from the Yucatan peninsula in the 60’s and 70’s the first name that should come to mind is the musical genius Francisco José Hernández Mandujano, aka Chico Che.

Supposedly Chico Che had either formed or influenced bands from all over the Yucatan. Combos like Los 7 Modernistas, Los Temerarios, and groups like Chicken Y Sus Comandos. The influences ranged from regional upbeat Mexican, organ/farfisa grinding funk, and a heavy emphasis on South American cumbia (which for some reason the style of music is generally referred to as música tropical). Chico Che went on to form Chico Che y La Crisis (don’t care much for his music). All very similar to Rigo Tovar’s style of tropical.

Caminando Despacito (walking/strutting slowly) is a funky cover from Eddie Palmeri, whose version is pretty dope as well.

2. Chicken Y Sus Comandos: Cumbia Sampuesana

This song actually doesn’t come off this LP pictured on the left. I have an extra mp3 version which I only wanted to share with everyone. Chicken Y Sus Comandos’s version of the traditional Colombian song La Cumbia Sampuesana shows the direction in which Yucatan groups at the time were taking with música tropical, a fusion of very loud cumbia, funk, psyche and rock. The song really attacks you like a hawk from the sky. Unfortunately most the music from these guys don’t end up sounding like this.

*** Please note I amended the prior post “El Zarape” with a new track. Check it out!

Cinco De Mayo

Published May 5, 2009 Boleros y Baladas , Latin Roots Leave a Comment

1. Los Tigres Del Norte: Cesar Chavez

There is probably nothing more Mexican than Los Tigres Del Norte playing a norteño (northern) corrido. And there is probably nothing more Mexican American than farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist Cesar Chavez. This is a perfect 45 for a day that symbolizes Mexican pride and heritage.

Norteño music, corridos, and banda are probably the most popular regional styles in all of Mexico. Hailing from the Northern part of the country, thus the name, Norteño forms the sound-tract to the social problems and successes of the Mexican people.

Although the music tends to sound the same after a while, it is the ever changing lyrics that speak to the Mexican people in that down to earth manner. The ballads tell of anti-heroes, drug dealers, immigrants, activists, patriotism, love lost, and the modern ills of society. It was songs like this that catapulted Los Tigres Del North to enormous success. Their modernized and retailored version of the norteño sound resulted in a phenomenon that changed the face of Mexican music in the 1990’s.

Feliz Cindo De Mayo!!!

Afrosound

Published May 4, 2009 Cumbia , Latin Funk/Soul 20 Comments

1. Afrosound: Caliventura

The Afrosound is Colombia’s reaction to the early 1970’s Chicha movement that was happening in Peru and Bolivia at the time. José María Fuentes saw the popularity of this new type of hybrid cumbia sound and thus created a sort of Discos Fuentes super group.

Produced by Julio Estrada (Fruko El Bueno), Afrosound not only incorporated the Andean guitar laden sound, but mixed in some funk, salsa/son, tropical, disco, and afro colombian rhythms to boot. The result being cumbia party albums from start to finish. These are the kind of LPs you can just walk away from for 20 mins. while you’re djing.

(side note: I think that it is Fruko who is MC’ing for these guys)

2. Afrosound: La Magdalena

I was going to choose the title tract as the second song, which is actually a cover tune from the Andean group Los Mirlos. But I decided on one of my favorite cuts from the album. Afrosound again is putting their own chicha stamp on the traditional cumbia La Magdalena. Here is a good example of how traditional cumbia instrumentation is being swapped for the electric guitar, farifisas (possibly), hoeners, ect. It is a good reflection on how malleable cumbia rhythms can be from past to present and from country to country.

3. Afrosound: Carruseles

Carruseles (Merry-go-round) is probably one of Afrosound’s more difficult records to find for some reason. And it appears to be one of their most experimental lp’s of the all the ones I will be showing you. I’ve got a hand full of other versions of the song Carruseles and I might put them all up in the future. The Conjunto Miramar and Anibal Velasquez versions are dope. The lyrics to the original song itself are sexually suggestive, but Afrosound’s instrumental is like cumbia/son on an acid trip.

Nevertheless, it’s in my opinion that the tropical sounds mixed with psychedelic guitars would only have made music like this much more affable to the Latin American public, while showing off the exploritory side of a bunch of amazing musicians.

4. Afrosound: Mi Sonsito

I thought I’d throw in another track off this album. This time with a calypso number. Trying to put in every genre I suppose. Enjoy!

5. Afrosound: La Gozadera

6. Afrosound: Onda Brava

Although some records might be harder to find than others, picking up music from Afrosound isn’t that difficult. Unfortunately, the last time I checked, Discos Fuentes doesn’t sell cd’s online outside of South America. However, you just need to go to a good Latin American cd store and one should be able to pick up a full length or compilation cd of their music. Their popularity and influence is broader than we can imagine North of Mexico.

Anyway, sometimes you can actually judge a book by it’s cover. And if this cover is any indication of what the album is going to sound like, then you know Onda Brava (Brave Wave) is going to be a party.

7. Afrosound: Calor

Someone told me that Vampisoul records is supposed to be putting out an Afrosound compilation. Which will be awesome. So if you have a hard time tracking these songs down, those guys always seem to make it easier. Also, I spoke with Beto from Soundway records a couple years ago when they released The Golden Age Of Discos Fuentes. We actually had a discussion about Afrosound. I bet they will put them in the second time around.

8. Afrosound: Tiro Al Blanco

Tiro Al Blanco (slang: awesome, something that is the best) is a cumbia version of Massara’s 1979 Italo-disco hit “Margarita”. This song is probably Afrosounds biggest hit as well. This infectious number has been covered often and may sound like a familiar sample from a Manu Chao song.

Anyway, these are pretty much some of the best Afrosound records I own from the 70’s to the 80’s. I didn’t have much luck with any of their music after this. From what I understand the group went through many different musicians/producers until they disbanded in 80’s. They do a song called Cumbia Arabe (Cumbia of the Arab) which I’ve heard (it’s great), yet it still eludes me on vinyl.

Soul Sides

Published May 4, 2009 Uncategorized 1 Comment

Huge big up to Oliver Wang at Soul Sides for all the support. Thanks for lighting a fire underneath my ass. I need to get this site going and encourgment like that only helps.

I just have been holding back with the real good stuff for a while. Therefore, as of now, I’ve decided to let go and honk my load on everyones ear holes.

Respectfully,

Sonido Franko

Chico Sonido

Published April 28, 2009 Boleros y Baladas , Cumbia , Events , Latin Funk/Soul Leave a Comment

Just wanted to drop another great audio set I heard recently from Chico Sondio. I’ve had the honor to dj with Chico a few times at Mas Exitos/Mas Discoteca and the guy absolutely floors me with the stuff he’s got. I’m constantly asking him “what the fuck was that song?” Some of the sickest and jankiest Latin beats on the planet.

Be sure to listen to his “paisadelic” set at the fully fitted blog. Peep the last song also, which is coming out on his debut album. From the sound of it, it’ll probably be one of my favorite records this year.

Fucking great stuff Chico!

http://fullyfitted.blogspot.com/2009/02/live-home-part-14.html

From Russia With Love

Published April 27, 2009 Boogaloo , Cumbia , Events , Latin Roots 2 Comments

I truly think it’s great that old school Latin beats and breaks are gaining popularity. It’s awesome to hear dj’s playing more Spanish language music and it’s about time America starts appreciating it. I’ve been selling records on Ebay for about 8+ years and in the beginning the majority of the Latin music I sold would have gone straight to Western Europe. Lately though my buyers are popping up all over the world. And who would have ever thought that you could hear cumbia in Russia?

Anyway, the other day I got an email from Dj Pablo (Pavel). Thank you for the accolades. Looks like people in Moscow have their first sonidero. Check out the links to the two mixes he sent me. Amazing music. Fucking brilliant!

http://www.divshare.com/download/5057036-2cc

http://rapidshare.com/files/137454240/Dj_Pablo_-_Tropical_Mix_Vol.2.mp3.html

Banda Macho: Los Covers

Published April 27, 2009 Garage/Rock , Latin Funk/Soul 1 Comment

1. Banda Macho: Tiburon

I tend to get a lot of questions whenever I play Spanish versions of American songs in the clubs. People find it funny and I have to admit there is a certain kitsch value to it.

However, for Banda Macho I guess it was no laughing matter. They pretty much made a living pumping out tunes that belong to their neighbors to the North. I have 4 of their LP’s and they are all cover albums. For some reason it is a subject that I am interested in, especially how Latin Americans interpret musical genres of American culture. And I am certain I will explore more of this in the future.

Banda Macho hails from Monterrey Mexico and are still around from what I have read. The song Tiburon (Shark) draws from both the popularity of the movie Jaws and Jimmy Castor’s song “Supersound” (sans the 1 minute break at the end).

Dublab Session

Published February 25, 2009 Events 6 Comments

l1000322 Check out my dj set at dublab in December with my brother/cousin/friend Dj Lengua. 3 Hours of the dopest Latin beats on the West Coast. Also, thank you to everyone who’s been asking questions and saying nice things about the site. You people are awesome!

http://dublab.com/archive?id=1843

Here is the track list. Enjoy!

Rodolfo “Incertidumbre”
Los Angeles Negros “Y Volvere”
Los Johnny Jets “Ven Ya”
Los Blue Angeles “Donde Esta Mendocino?”
Charlie Palomeras y su conjunto “Guajira Go Go”
Los Corraleros de Majagual “Baila mi Boogaloo”
Grupo Siglo XX Del Peru “Mayoruna”
Manzanita “Al Vaiven De Las Olas”
Los Destellos “Boogaloo de los Destellos”
La Sangre Caliente “El Baile Del Sillon”
Los Golden Stones “Muerte”
Perez Prado “Mexico 70”
Anibal Velazquez “Sucusu”
Anibal Velazquez “Charanga Cucutena”
Banda Los Hijos de la Nina Luz “La Cumbia de Joaco”
Edilio Paredes “La Gozadera”
Cumbia Siglo XX “Los Esqueletos”
Pedro Miguel y Sus Maracaibos “Gaita y Sorongo”
Conjunto Miramar “Voy Miramar”
Celia Cruz “Pa’La Paloma”
Los Corraleros de Majagual “Pachanga en la 13”
Los Cuban Boys “Mirage”
Conjunto Miramar “Mosaico Miramar”
Afrosound “Carruseles”
Afrosound “La Magdalena”
Hermanos Carrion “Rosa Mi Rosita”
Los Destellos ” Tu Donde Estas”
Luis Gomez y su Conjunto “Descarga en Acordion”
Conjunto Tropical Caribe “No Prendas la Vela”
Anibal Velazquez “Piano y Timba”
Alfredo Gutierrez “Cumbia”
La Marimba Orquesta Gallito “A La Cumbia”
Desconocido (Unknown) “Cumbia Mexicana”
Los Ovnis “Mari Mari”
Manny Perez “Chica Bancaria”
Grupo Bota “Yo No He Dicho”

Dj Lengua

Abelardo Carbono y su Conjunto “Quiero a mi Gente”
Grupo Folklorico “Tucutru”
Autenticos Del Son “Yo Pongo La, Plata”
Rufo Garrido y Su Orqesta “El Mundo Se Acaba”
Alfredo Gutierrez “Rio Crecido”

El Zarape

Published November 19, 2008 Cumbia , Latin Funk/Soul , Latin Jazz 5 Comments

1. Joe Bravo: Yolanda

Pretty obscure stuff from the El Zarape label. Now most of the music I’ve heard from this label seems to be really bad regional Mexican. However, every now and again these Tex-Mex labels would always throw in some sort of funky cut.

Yolanda I believe was originally a popular cha-cha-cha number. And I think I actually own an LP from Joe Bravo and it doesn’t sound anything like this.

2. The Mexican Revolution: Listen Here

The song “Soul Searching” by The Mexican Revolution is the song with the big fat break so I hear (I don’t have it). But the soul jazz cover of Eddie Harris’ “Listen Hear” will do just fine. This standard is pretty much covered by everyone.

3. Augustine Ramirez: She’s Looking Good

Found this today in a stack a records I was going through. Didn’t even realized I owned this joint. Anyway, I thought I’d amend this post by putting the best song on the album up for you people.

Again, more bad regional Mexican music from the El Zarape label, except for the Roger Collins’ cover She’s Looking Good. To go from crappy polkas and horrible rancheras to a soul number is beyond me. It probably was the thing to do back in the day or maybe even the label/producer’s idea. This happens repeatedly on labels like this, Gas, Musart, and other Mexican/Mexican American record labels of this era.

Peruvian Descarga

Published October 15, 2008 Boogaloo , Descarga , Mozambique 1 Comment

1. Los Mozambique: Descarga Mozambique

A super rare track from the Afro Peruvian Descarga scene. The unfortunate thing is that I couldn’t find out much about this group and this is the only item of theirs which I own. But oh man….what a killer song.

This is a far cry from Eddie Palmeri’s María Caracoles or his LP Mozambique. But leave it to a bunch of Peruvians to adopt a genre of music and take it into some other awesome direction. The repetition and vigor are there, but like always, performed in a much more relaxed and informal manner.

2. Los Pachas: El Hueleguiso

Whoever is reading this, you must think I’m the worst audio blogger in the world. Yet again I have absolutely no information about these guys. In fact, I researched this label years ago and I actually found the website for Dinsa. But now I can no longer find it. Man I suck.

Pretty much the only thing I can tell you is that the Peruvian artist Manzanita does a version of this song (which i’ll put up some day). And I found out what huele (smell) guiso (stew) actually means. From what I gathered from other Peruvian blogs, a hueleguiso is an uninvited guest that comes over because he smells the food that you’re cooking. It’s slang for a freeloader I suppose.

This song is considered a boogaloo number. Like the first song, just a bunch of dope hybrid sounds from Peru.

On a side note, I’ve had more luck with Peruvian pressings than any other South American record. Not only can they be colorful and thick, but they’re super fucking loud. Anyway, I just thought I’d throw that out to all the diggers out there.

La Comida Vol. 1

Published October 4, 2008 Boogaloo , Latin Jazz 2 Comments

1. Monguito Santamaria: Beans And Greens

I was asked by an acquaintance a few years back to put together some Latin songs with a culinary flavor to it. I guess he was going to make a mixed tape of some sort (I never received a copy by the way). I actually found this task quite daunting, for food tends to be a very common subject in all forms of Latin American music. I could have gone in many different directions with this request. Nevertheless, I tried to keep it on the lighter side and these are the three songs I came up with.

The relationship between Latin American culture, food and music can be felt on a myriad of suggestive levels. Sexual innuendo, the double entendre, and cultural identity are to name a few, last week I actually went on a picnic with a cooler from ozark trail cooler reviews full with Spanish food.

However, Monguito Santamaria seems to be following a long line of other performers of this time (his father included) who used food titles to reflect a playful feeling of the overall tune. “Greens and Beans” is probably the most down home, griittiest and rawest food you can eat, just like like the overall sound hints at.

2. Eddy “Boogaloo” Cortez: Frijoles

Like the rest of this album, the song Frijoles (Beans) makes no sense at all. Maybe this bilingual album was sung in both Spanish and English to garner the attention of young hip Argentinians at the time? Maybe Eddy “Boogaloo” Cortez was Anglophile of some sort (like most people in Argentina pre-Faulklin War)? Well despite the laughable English/Spanglish, this joint is chalked full of dope Latin beats and breaks. The only thing I know about this fellow is where he is from, couldn’t find any other info. Sorry

3. Clark Terry & Chico O’ Farrill: Spanish Rice

Two real heavy hitters here. From swing to hard bop, the trumpet player Clark Terry was one the most influencial jazz musicians of an entire generation. He actually schooled Miles Davis for a bit. Whereas the trumpet player Chico O’ Farrill was at the forefront of creating the fusion between bebop and Afro Cuban jazz in the 40’s and 50’s.

I guess what interested me the most about this song was that the lyrics, the title, and the fusion of music styles in itself becomes a reflection of the food in which they’re singing about. Pretty much the precursor or beginning to the whole New York boogaloo movement. Oh yeah and they’re pretty much copying Willie Bobo’s popular song/album “Spanish Grease“, which came out prior to this. Both songs sharing a common thread.

p.s. I put volumne 1. becuase I am sure I revisit this subject in the future. word!!!

Celia Cruz y La Sonora Matancera

Published September 29, 2008 Latin Roots Leave a Comment

1. Celia Cruz: Cha Cha Guera

I’ve had some serious computer issues over the last few weeks, so please pardon any delay. Also, I’ve been busy selling and organizing some of my 45 collection. Which is probably the reason why you are listening to this totally awesome 45 ep from Celia Cruz. I purchased this in Mexico City for $.25 five years back and I recently found it stuck in some random LP. Therefore, I felt a need to post this up before it is again lost in the sea of records which I own.

Cruz is probably the best know female singer in the history of Cuban music. I am not really going to get into to much detail about who Celia Cruz is, nor La Sonora Matancera (a whole other story). “The Queen of Salsa’s” lifes work speaks for itself. She is pretty much renowned all over the world. Anyhow, I’m being lazy and I don’t want to sound any more redundant than I usually do.

2. Celia Cruz: Pa’la Paloma

Although I love these songs, to be quite honest with you I am not a super huge fan of Celia. Her early work, the stuff she did with Tito Puente, and The Fania All Stars I tend to like more, but that’s about it. In fact, I find myself liking her contemporary La Lupe much more.

Very talented nonetheless, I have a feeling that much of her popularity later in her career came from the fact that she strongly identified herself with the anti-Castro/Cuban boycott movement. Remember her super huge funerals in Miami and New York? Anyway, I’m not getting politically involved. I’m keeping my mouth shut. Let her music speak instead.

ps: I am now uploading 320 mp3’s for your listening pleasure.

Macho Cimarrón

Published August 31, 2008 Latin Roots , Salsa Leave a Comment

1. Orquesta Riviera: Macho Cimarron

A really great salsa/son rendition of Macho Cimarron(wild/brave slave) from the Cuban Orquesta Riviera. Sorry but I couldn’t find much information about these guys. I do know that the few albums they made are ultra rare and super expensive.

Cimarron(runaway slave) comes from the word Marroned (ship wrecked). It mainly refers to African slaves that ran away and/or rebeled against their Spanish masters. The song pays homage to them.

Its seems like appropriate subject matter for the 1970’s. Civil rights, rebellion, and cultural identity were common elements in salsa lyrics during that time. Also, it was very common that older son montunos and guaguancos were rehashed with a more uptempo salsa sound. Songs like this bridged the gap between tradition and modernity, in effect providing a cultural voice to Latinos in the United States and in their homelands.

Conjunto Estrellas de Chocolate has an earlier version of this song (50’s maybe?). Pete Conde, the Fania All Stars (Live at The Cheeta), and many others do a rendition as well.

(this is a krmx joint also)

El Baile De Kung-Fu

Published August 31, 2008 Latin Funk/Soul , Queso Leave a Comment

1. Mestizo: El Baile De Kung-Fu

I found a website that indicated they were the actual band Mestizo which began in the SF Bay Area in the 70’s. But I’m not quite sure if it’s the same band that’s on this 45.

Irregardless, it appears that Mestizo was riding the coat tails of Carl Douglas’s one hit wonder “Kung Fu Fighting” and “Dance The Kung Fu“. A popular song and/or topic to cover at the time i guess. I’ve heard other Latin American versions, as well as Jamaican reggae funk versions too.

This is a 45 I pulled a few weeks back from that KRMX collection which I was speaking of in the last post. It’s pretty indicative of the collection as a whole. I’m always getting surprised. It ain’t the best song in the world, but it’s pretty ridiculous and amazing in its own right. Please note that I created by own genre “Queso” (cheese). It’s a pretty subjective category since I tend to stick music that resembles nacho cheese into it. There is so much Latin cheese-ball that a category was warranted.

KRMX, the foundations of supersonido.net

Published August 31, 2008 Events , Queso 6 Comments

Please pardon the mess. But about 2 years ago I acquired about 15,000+ Latin 45’s. The person who sold me the lot had told me that they came from the radio station KRMX in Pueblo Colorado.

According to this dealer, the station had changed to a digital format and had gotten rid of all its vinyl in the early 90’s. The collection is comprised of Latin American/Spanish language music from the 60’s to the early 90’s. Although the majority of it tends to be regional Mexican, it pretty much has every genre in there. Anyway, all these boxes were in storage for over 15 years until I was fortunate enough to get my hands on it.

What the hell does one person do with over 15,000 45’s? Oh man, just the thought of all these boxes in my basement gave me a sense of excitment and at the same time the overwhelming sensation of being totally overwhelmed!

What was I to do with all this obscure, awesome, horrible, cheesy, unknown, and common Latin American music? Did I have some sort of moral obligation to look after it? Some sort of historical music obligation? Should I get greedy and start selling individual 45’s?

With that, my overwhelming sense of excitement started turning into the overwhelming sensation of guilt (yes I am Catholic). And acquiring this amazing collection was probably one of the real catalysts for creating this audio blog in the first place. I felt that I would only be coveting this music in vain if I didnt do anything with it (after all this music really doesn’t belong to me). I felt that I had to give back something and that this music should be shared. Does that make sense? Or am I being lame again? Yeah, I’m being lame. Anyway, in the future I’ll try to delineate if the 45 came from this collection or not. See my prior Edilio Paredes post, that was one of the many treasures I found in this lot (I seriously almost crapped my pants when I heard those songs). There should be more to follow since I really only scraped by about 10% of the collection so far.

*Just a little side note. When I lived in El Salvador with my aunt we used to pick up radio and television frequencies from Colorado. Back in the day, the “mile high” state could transmit signals into Latin America due to it’s high altitude. I bet you anything KRMX was heard in parts of the Southern US, Mexico, and beyond. Word!

Boogaloo Brazil

Published August 30, 2008 Boogaloo , Brazil 1 Comment

1. Wilson Simonal: Pais Tropical

It should seem ok that I stick Wilson Simonal in a “boogaloo” category. He never was really part of the bossa nova movement in Brazil and is more typically associated with soul, jazz, and other more popular black American pop music of the 60’s. Pais Tropical (tropical country) is probably the more boogaloo sounding tracks on this LP. The song is pretty common and I’ve heard versions from Jorge Ben (I think he pen’s it), Gal Costa, and Sergio Mendes.

It was tunes like this that made Wilson Simonal a national idol in Brazil. A style of music which became known as pilantragem (mischief). I guess it was risque for the times, something that always propels ones career. However, that all came to an end during the early 70’s when he was accused of being an informant for the police during Brazil’s military dictatorship. Although the accusation was never substantiated, Simonal was blacklisted by the media industry, fellow artists, and was never able to recover from this.

2. The Boogaloo Combo: Muito Quente

I couldn’t find much info on these guys. I have another one of their albums and I’ve seen (not heard) another. This lp is the best in my opinion. Despite singing in Portuguese, The Boogaloo Combo really captures the 60’s boogaloo sound more associated with the Fania and Cotique labels. They’re pretty spot on. In fact, there is a Lebron Bros. cover song and they do a version of Good Lovin’ by The Young Rascals. Muito Quente!!!!!!!!! (so groovy)

Concierto Para Bongo

Published August 18, 2008 Perez Prado Leave a Comment

1. Perez Prado: Cayitano

I probably don’t have to go into detail about who Perez Prado is. His style of music has stood up to the test of time, to the point where the “King Of The Mambo” has even become a huge part of American popular culture. I myself consider Perez Prado the James Brown of Latin American music. His showmanship, longevity, the extensive catalogue of music, and his orchestrating grunts are in a strange way comparable to the “Godfather Of Soul“. It just seemed totally necessary to create an entire category in his honor.

In the 60’s Perez Prado’s popularity began to wane as did his association with the mambo and RCA Victor. In the many years to follow, Prado’s music would constantly reinvent itself with the incorporation of go-go, rock, psychedelic, funk, and even disco. And although his music had adapted to the times, it always maintained Perez Prado’s signature sound.

Concierto Para Bongo is probably one of my favorite records of this era. The A side is pure go-go music. Whereas, the B side is a 17 minute drum instrumental (the song serves as background music in Pedro Almodovar’s Kiki). Despite all the kitsch, this record should not be underestimated.

Los Sampler’s

Published August 16, 2008 Electro Latino , Perez Prado Leave a Comment

1. Los Sampler’s: “Descarga Mecano (version muy differente)”

I just stumbled on this 45 and I have no idea where I got it. In fact, I don’t think I really ever listened to it until now. I must have purchased it in Europe about 7 years ago, I’m not certain. Nevertheless, it’s totally awesome.

It ends up that Los Sampler’s is none other than the German Uwe Schmidt a.k.a. Señor Coconut. I guess the two songs on this 45 were outtakes of the Los Sampler’s debut lp (I didn’t even know there was a full length record).

The tune I selected is most likely a remix of Israel “Cachao” Lopez’s “Descarga Cubana“, possibly even Tito Rodriguez’s version “Descarga Cachao“. The B side is a Perez Prado/Bene More remix/sample of “Babarabatiri” which is a bit more experimental than the first (which is probably why i didn’t post it). Anyway, cool stuff. You got to hand it to Señor Coconut, or whatever you want to call him (he has over 50 allias’), he’s pretty much the pioneer of the whole latin electronica music scene that started in the late 90’s.

Mas Exitos Y Mas Discoteca (event)

Published August 15, 2008 Events Leave a Comment

Mas Exitos is a bi-weekly event that traces the connections between the music made on both continents of the Americas. Think of it as a National Geographic documentary on sound that will take you from the Andes of Peru to the East Side of LA. From fuzzy cumbias, to funky jazz oddities, to psych freak outs and janky beats…I had the honor to play this gig a few months ago, oh man is it fun.

But I’ll have that honor again this Friday August 22nd in downtown LA.

With DJ’s Ganas, Enorbito, Chico Sonido, Hoseh, and Lengua??? Holy shit! Come check us out!!! For more info go to myspace.com/masexitos. 10PM to ???, $5. Hope to see you there.

Radio Bar Oakland (event)

Published August 12, 2008 Events Leave a Comment

I’m back djing at radio bar in downtown Oakland every wednesday night again. Please come through if I haven’t seen you in a while. Ill be playing all sorts of great music, having weekly guests, giving away free music, ransoming hostages, eating corndogs, and having shit piles of stupid ass fun.

Also, Akim should be with me shortly, which should be totally awesome cause I miss that dude. Please feel free to contact me if you want to hold any type of event on Wednesday night (i.e. trunk show, art, fashion, record release, book release, birthday, benefits, burlesque, hot dog parties, ect. ect.) I’d love to help you out and make it happen in any way possible. Also, any video artists can show their stuff on the new projection screen. Oooohh and if you want to guest dj, hit me up. I play mostly music from the 60’s and 70’s, but I am open to just about anything, suprise me. Vinyl only. Oh yeah, and it’s free too! Word!

Radio Bar 435 13th St. Downtown Oakland Every Wednesday Nights +21 Free

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