Tags: Colombian

Review: Cumbia or chicha is a richly and widely infused sound that brings together a multitude of influences. It has styles from Colombia and Cuba, plus Western influences including the likes of 60s beat and psychedelic rock, plus an exotic array of indigenous melodies from the Amazonian jungle as well as a weakth of traditional Andean songs. The music that realists is vibrant and vivacious and packed with life and is all perfectly showered here on this superb new collection of tracks by the most important bands of the golden age of the sound.

Review: Elia and Elisabeth Fleta Malloi is the sisterly Colombian twosome known for their pop ditties as Elia y Elizabeth. Their Alegria album is a much loved record for deep diggers that got reissued a couple of years ago, and Razor N Tape have served up a selection of tunes and remixes from it. Now we get the original pressed up to its own 45 rpm courtesy of Vampi Soul. It is a sunny bit of easygoing soul with plenty of orchestral grandeur, big horn energy and the gently lilting vocals of the sisters up top. These are gloriously feel-good sounds from this superb duo.

Review: A rarity on our shelves, 'The Coastal Invasion' is a giant tour through the work and career of Lucho Bermudez, who together with his own personal orchestra, recorded some of the most eminent Colombian cumba music of his day. Bermudez was a formidable composer who led the state's many big bands so innovatively that he came to be known as the musician who modernised Colombia's most important folk music style, bringing it into a new age through his various collaborations with his wife, Matilde Diaz.

Review: Given that it can be tricky to track down the original album releases by Colombian 'salsa drura' greats Fruko Y Sos Sus Tesos, this compilation from Vampi Soul makes an excellent introduction to their trademark sound - even if it is made up of 'deep cuts and rarities; from the band's releases on the iconic Discos Fuentes label. This is fiery, dancefloor-ready salsa from the era of psychedelic rock, and it's that aural colour and low-end heaviness that catches the ear throughout. There's not a duffer amongst the 20 tracks on show, which makes picking highlights tough. That said, our current favourites include 'Bang Bang (el Tiroteo', the effervescent 'Oriza', the horn-heavy cheeriness of 'Perlas Negras' and the richly percussive 'Canto a Panama'.

Review: La Sonora Mazuren's Bailando Con ExtraNos is a flame hot fusion of worldly sounds. Funk, Latin and soul are the foundations but plenty of regional styles like cumbia, guaracha, champeta and psychedelic melodies all add extra colour. It's rhythmically playful and restless from the group about which we know very little. This is their debut album after a few singles since 2019 and for those who like their music percussive, expressive and free flowing it is about as good as it gets so do not sleep on this limited bit of Colombian gold.

Review: This exciting new double-sided 45 from Vampi Soul features two rare and funky dance floor gems from pioneering Colombian artists of the 70s. On one side, Piper Pimienta, who was an early collaborator with Fruko and member of The Latin Brothers, presents 'Pensamiento'' which is a killer Latin funk track from his 1979 album La Fuente that's never been released on a 45 before. Known for his salsa skills and always vibrant live shows, Pimienta's track is a treat for DJs. The flip side showcases Columna de Fuego, a trailblazing group from 1973 known for blending rock with Pacific and Caribbean rhythms. Their track 'Inot' offers a fast-paced delight from their one and only LP.

Review: This album transports listeners to 1950s and 60s Colombia, where the tropical sounds of the Caribbean and Pacific coasts dominated the mainland music scene. Edmundo Arias, alongside Lucho Bermudez and Pacho Galan, was one of the pivotal figures of this era, yet his introverted nature kept him out of the spotlight, making his contributions less celebrated than his peers. Born in Tulua in 1925, Arias came from a musical family and mastered several instruments. After his father's death in 1948, he and his brother moved to Medellin, the epicenter of Colombia's music industry. Arias quickly established himself as a talented musician, composer, arranger, and band leader for leading labels like Zeida, Ondina, Silver, and Sonolux. Despite his preference for working behind the scenes, Arias' impact was profound, collaborating with numerous musicians and mentoring young artists. His prolific output included hundreds of compositions and numerous albums. This compilation, Guepa Je!, shows the finest of Arias' work from the 50s and 60s, a period often regarded as the pinnacle of his career. Enjoy the vibrant, joyous sounds of Colombia's tropical music heritage.