Since 2003, Madrid's Vampisoul Records has been a label to treasure for all those in search of the cool. The vibrant Spanish label has developed a colorful roster of eclectic music, unearthing once-lost Peruvian psych, Brazilian rock, Harlem boogaloo, Detroit soul, Afrobeat, lounge, salsa and much, much more. Releases are enhanced by deluxe, stylish packaging -- on both CD and vinyl formats -- offering extensive liner notes and rare photos. Vampisoul remains absolutely essential for soul, funk and rare groove fans in search of more of the old gold.
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LP
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VAMPI 319LP
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$27.00
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 6/13/2025
This wonderful and highly sought-after album was originally born from a promotional campaign by the U.S. Army to encourage recruitment. The recording perfectly captures the spirit of young America through songs written by Sly Stone, Curtis Mayfield, Funkadelic, and Burt Bacharach (via Isaac Hayes, of course). High-level soul and funk performed by brilliant anonymous musicians. Virtually impossible to find in its original edition, Vampisoul are now reissuing it once again thanks to a collaboration with Now Again. Pressed on 180g vinyl. Often, the most prized records by collectors hold unexpected stories. When they also feature incredibly high musical quality and only a few original copies are available, they become the holy grails of collecting. This is the case with this album, recorded by American soldiers stationed in Germany in the early '70s. During the Vietnam War, the U.S. Army organized a band competition among its soldiers. The winners would record a promotional album that would be distributed for free to encourage enlistment during such a turbulent time. The result was a double LP shared between the bands SOAP and East of Underground. Although East of Underground's repertoire consists of covers of soul and funk hits, the quality is surprisingly high: raw guitars, crushing drums, and brilliant vocal harmonies. When the label Now Again tried to reconstruct the story of East of Underground, they only managed to contact one of its members after digging through documents in the New York Library and collaborating with the U.S. Army.
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7"
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VAMPI 45113EP
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$15.50
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 6/13/2025
Prepare yourself to be amazed by these two stunning Peruvian cumbias by two central figures of the Amazonian music scene: Ranil y su Conjunto Tropical and Los Wembler's de Iquitos. Their recordings of the classic "Sonido Amazónico" are packed with psychedelic guitars and hard-hitting percussions. First time 45 reissue. Raúl Llerena, aka Ranil, was one of the central figures of the Amazonian music scene. Based in Iquitos, he founded his own record label -- Producciones Llerena -- and shaped what is now known as the psychedelic sound of Amazonian cumbia. The few LPs and 45s released on his label are legendarily hard to find, let alone the condition. Some of them were issued under the name Ranil y su Conjunto Tropical. They recorded this hypnotic and percussive version of "Sonido amazónico" that was released as an LP-only track. Vampisoul now release it for the first time as a 45, to the delight of DJs and 7"s collectors. On the flipside is Los Wembler's de Iquitos, responsible for some of the most popular songs of the psychedelic cumbia genre, including the outstanding "Sonido Amazónico."
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LP
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VAMPI 317LP
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$30.50
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 5/30/2025
Marcos Valle is one of the few artists you cannot miss if you have the slightest interest in Brazilian music. Whether your taste is focused on bossa jazz, samba, psych folk or soul, Valle has surely recorded a great album for you. Garra was originally released in 1971 and brought listeners Valle's classics such as "Com Mais De 30," "O Cafona," "Vinte E Seis Anos De Vida Normal," and the rare groove classic "Wanda Vidal." Remastered from the original tapes and pressed on 180g vinyl, this release is part of Vampisoul's new reissue series that comprises many other outstanding Brazilian classics by the likes of Evinha, Cassiano, Gerson King Combo, Hyldon, and more. By the dawn of the 1970s, the multi-talented Valle was entering a new era, ready to test the government censors (Brazil was under strict military rule since a coup d'état in 1964) and express a socially aware stance and a playful hodge-podge of musical styles including samba, bossa nova, baião (a rhythmic beat from the rural northeast of Brazil), black American music, and rock. Garra maintains the same socially conscious content as in his previous album while also combining diverse musical styles and influences.
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LP
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VAMPI 318LP
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$30.50
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 5/30/2025
Marcos Valle is one of the few artists you cannot miss if you have the slightest interest in Brazilian music. Whether your taste is focused on bossa jazz, samba, psych folk or soul, Valle has surely recorded a great album for you. His much sought-after and stunning self-titled album from 1970 includes "Ele E Ela," as sampled on Jay-Z's "Thank You," as well as some of his most popular songs like "Freio Aerodinamico" and "Os Grilos," swinging between sophistication and groove. Remastered from the original tapes and pressed on 180g vinyl, this release is part of Vampisoul's new reissue series that comprises many other outstanding Brazilian classics by the likes of Evinha, Cassiano, Gerson King Combo, Hyldon, and more. By the dawn of the 1970s, the multi-talented Valle was entering a new era, ready to test the government censors (Brazil was under strict military rule since a coup d'état in 1964) and express a socially aware stance and a playful hodge-podge of musical styles including samba, bossa nova, baião (a rhythmic beat from the rural northeast of Brazil), black American music, and rock. Marcos Valle was originally released in 1970 and features a dynamic musical backing from some of Brazil's most gifted players.
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7"
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VAMPI 45111EP
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$15.50
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 5/9/2025
Two awesome Latin jazz-funk gems for the dance floor, blazing with the rich brass section and percussion. Both songs are taken from mega-rare Venezuelan LPs released in 1976. Reissued on a 45 for the first time. La Retreta Mayor was founded and led by guitarist Alex Rodríguez. "Torta de pan," reminiscent of recordings of classic US funk bands such as the JBs, was originally included in their only and hard-to-find LP. On the flip side comes "La venganza" that was part of a mega rare soundtrack written and recorded by Pablo Schneider for the obscure Venezuelan sexploitation film Sobre la Hierba? Virgen. Both songs were released on Discomoda in 1976 and the original records are almost impossible to find in any condition. How cool and handy is to have both songs together on a DJ-friendly 45? First time 7" reissue.
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LP
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VAMPI 316LP
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$28.50
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 5/9/2025
Dame Café, originally released on Discos Fuentes in 1965 to meet the tropical music demand of the time, features a mix of traditional rhythms like vallenato and cumbia, alongside more experimental beats. Los Gavilanes de la Costa, the band behind this album, had a brief existence but left a lasting impact, especially in Mexico's sonidero scene. Over the years, pirate editions and elusive original copies have made it a highly sought-after collector's item. The album's lively sound, combining accordion melodies, deep bass, and vibrant guacharaca rhythms, continues to resonate in the tropical music scene. The vibrant musical scene of the 1960s in Colombia owes much to a group of versatile accordionists who blended genres such as cumbia, charanga, guaracha, vallenato, and Cuban-influenced rhythms. This group included notable figures like Andrés Landero, Aníbal Velásquez, Lisandro Meza, and Alfredo Gutiérrez, among others. A prime example of their diverse musical styles is the album Dame Café, released in November 1965, which features a mix of traditional rhythms like vallenato and cumbia, alongside more experimental beats such as paseaíto and pasaje. The album includes six previously released singles composed by José Castro, Policarpo Calle, and others. The album highlights the commercial strategy of Discos Fuentes, which often created short-lived studio bands to meet the tropical music demand of the time. The group's creation was driven by the high demand for tropical music in the 1960s, with many musicians adjusting to market trends. Most of the members, including composers Campillo and Castro, vanished from the scene, while others, like Calle and Zambrano, went on to have notable careers in music. Calle, in particular, became a cumbia legend, later settling in Mexico City. The album features a remarkable contribution from Colombian jazz legend Justo Almario, who, at just 16 years old, played tenor sax on the track "Pues no da pa' más." Over the years, pirate editions and elusive original copies have made it a highly sought-after collector's item.
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LP
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VAMPI 314LP
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$30.50
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 5/2/2025
Cuban Soul - 18 Kilates is Cassiano's third studio album, released in 1976, and stands as a milestone in Brazilian soul music. It combines Brazilian rhythms with classic American soul elements, creating a unique fusion. Cassiano's smooth, soulful vocal style and the album's larger-than-life arrangements, reminiscent of Tim Maia's sound, give it a rich, deep feel. The standout track, "Onda," is a relaxing anthem evoking beach vibes that has become a DJ's favorite in recent years and also made it into several compilations. Remastered from the original tapes and pressed on 180g vinyl. This release is part of a new reissue series that will include many other outstanding Brazilian classics like Evinha's Cartão Postal or Gerson King Combo. Influenced by artists like Otis Redding, Eddie Kendricks, Stevie Wonder, and others, it combines Brazilian rhythms with classic American soul elements, creating a unique fusion. The album features nine tracks, with "A Lua e Eu" becoming a major commercial hit and the theme song for the soap opera "O Grito". This album has earned cult status over the years, securing its place as one of the most coveted Brazilian records of all time. Once incredibly rare and expensive, it's now at the top of every serious collector's wishlist. After not being available outside of Brazil for years, it's finally been reissued -- don't miss your chance to own this legendary piece of music history.
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LP
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VAMPI 315LP
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$30.50
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 5/2/2025
Na Rua, na Chuva, na Fazenda is a landmark 1975 album by Hyldon, a key figure in Brazilian soul music. The album captures the vibrant musical spirit of the 1970s and reflects the influence of the black power movement. With a mix of MPB, soul, and funk, Hyldon brought his unique sound to life, collaborating with influential artists like Azymuth. This album has earned cult status over the years, securing its place as one of the most coveted Brazilian records of all time. Remastered from the original tapes and pressed on 180g vinyl. This release is part of a new reissue series that will include many other outstanding Brazilian classics. Hyldon's debut release was one of the top-selling albums that year, capturing the vibrant musical spirit of the 1970s and reflecting the influence of the black power movement alongside artists like Tim Maia and Cassiano. The album, which features the iconic title track, is a celebration of love with timeless songs like "As Dores do Mundo," "Na Sombra de uma Árvore" and "Meu Patuá." Produced by Guti Carvalho with arrangements by Hyldon and Waldir Arouca Barros, the studio band included the talented musicians from Azymuth (José Roberto Bertrami, Alex Malheiros and Ivan Conti "Mamão"), making it a memorable piece of Brazilian musical history. This album has earned cult status over the years, securing its place as one of the most coveted Brazilian records of all time. Once incredibly rare and expensive, it's now at the top of every serious collector's wishlist. After being unavailable outside of Brazil for years, it's finally been reissued -- don't miss your chance to own this legendary piece of music history.
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2LP
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VAMPI 312LP
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After digging deep into the overwhelming archives of Discos Fuentes and Codiscos in the previous volumes, this third instalment in the series Cumbia Cumbia Cumbia!!! comprises a selection of 28 Peruvian cumbia bangers for the dance floor from the deep vaults of Discos MAG, all of them originally released between 1964 and 1987. Cumbia Cumbia Cumbia!!! combines well-known classics and rarities that are difficult to find in their original formats. An invitation to enjoy and be amazed, above and beyond ethnographic and academic concerns. The historical origins of cumbia are nebulous and imprecise. The mythology surrounding it suggests an ancient past when Amerindian, African and European musical sounds were mixed together. MAG had released porros since the label was set up, and by 1957 it was already selling records by the Colombian Lucho Bermúdez, a leading figure in porro and cumbia in orchestra format, from Buenos Aires. Colombian cumbia has come a long way in Peru since those years and put down its own roots, just as it has in other Latin American countries. This third volume of the series Cumbia, cumbia, cumbia demonstrates how the rhythm has persisted over three decades of Peruvian recordings, ranging from versions by orchestras and ensembles to original cumbias with electric guitars, with lingering echoes of Caracas-born Hugo Blanco, Tulio Enrique León, Los Teen Agers and Amparito Jiménez. Featuring Carlos Pickling Y Su Orquesta, Los Chicoques, Los Demonios De Corocochay , Los Felcas, Sonora Casino De Hugo Macedo, Sam Brasil, Volada 5, Otto De Rojas Y Su Orquesta, Silvestre Montez Y Sus Guantanameros, Ñico Estrada, Freddy Roland Y Su Orquesta De Moda, Los Avileños, Joe Di Roma Y Su Conjunto, Los Rumberos Del Solar, Los Pavos Reales, Nilo Espinosa Y Su Orquesta, Tito Chicoma Y Su Orquesta, Nelson Ferreyra Y Su Sonora, Los Kintos, Manzanita Con Los Cañeros, and Los Belking's.
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LP
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VAMPI 313LP
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$28.50
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 4/11/2025
Salsa con charanga is really a feast for all salsa music lovers, a true jewel, which deserved much better when it originally came out in 1978. It comprises eight great, solid tracks; some, new interpretations from other albums in which Mike Guagenti participated with his handsome and captivating voice -- a crooner with a salsero soul -- that, at times, could remind listeners of the late Tito Rodríguez, and even Ray Ramos. It has developed a cult following, and finding a copy of the original could be quite expensive. Luckily, this officially licensed and restored edition will fill that void. In addition to being a great salsa album, has the distinction that was released on Orfeon, a Mexican record label, due to the diligent work of the extraordinary producer Bobby Marin, and which miraculously received air play when powerhouse Fania label and few others ruled radio in the salsa music world. "The Mike Guagenti album," as indicated by Marin, "is a compilation of recordings by other artists. Originally a salsa album, I brought in [Cuban] Pupi Legarreta (violin and flute) and [Panamanian] Mauricio Smith (flute) to give it a charanga sound." With the exception of the cut "Salsa con charanga," which is an instrumental, the rest feature vocals by Guagenti. Salsa con charanga has developed a cult following, and finding a copy of the original could be quite expensive. Luckily, this officially licensed and restored edition will fill that void.
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7"
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VAMPI 45110EP
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Salsa pianist, vocalist, composer and arranger Ray Pérez, acquired his nickname "Loco" by being a free, independent spirit, an innovator and iconoclast who was initially branded as "crazy" for the freshness and audacity of his sound. These two hot tracks were released in the early '70s and became instant dance floor fillers. First time 7" reissue of these salsa and guaguancó gems. Amazingly, he is not that well known in the US, where he spent some time in the late 1960s and salsa was king during the 1970s. Yet he was quite popular in his home country from the beginning, especially amongst the working class of Caracas and Maracaibo, who adopted Cuban music played by New York Puerto Ricans as their own and called it "salsa" years before the term was employed by US labels like Fania as a marketing tool. Pérez is revered in Venezuela, as well as in Mexico and Colombia, and his storied career, which spans seven decades and thousands of concerts, has yielded more than 35 albums recorded by his various bands, including Los Dementes, Los Kenya, and Los Calvos, all of which are collector's items today. "Muchacho Barrigón" crossed over beyond the Venezuelan salsa scene and a few versions of the tune were recorded by international artists. How cool and handy is to have both songs together on a DJ-friendly 45. First time 7" reissue.
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LP
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VAMPI 311LP
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Brooklyn Sounds' legendary second album from 1972, full of heavy Nuyorican underground salsa dura propelled by raw trombones, off-kilter piano and in-your-face percussion. A perfect blend of barrio attitude and Caribbean swing, the album proves Brooklyn has sabor y salsa! Pressed on 180gram vinyl, Vampisoul's reissue includes liner notes featuring never-before seen photos. Libre -- Free is the now legendary second album by the short-lived Brooklyn Sounds and is arguably even better than their self-titled debut (VAMPI 297LP), displaying a more mature and practiced sound, no doubt honed by their experiences playing more gigs in support of their first record. Brooklyn Sounds were one of a handful of garage salsa bands from the independent scene that was gathering steam in the early 1970s in the New York boroughs, despite little support or exposure in the mainstream Latin music industry from more dominant labels like Fania, Mericana, Cotique and Alegre. As with many others, Brooklyn Sounds briefly fluoresced in a burst of creativity and defiance, yet flamed out shortly thereafter, dying like a flower among the ruins of burned-out apartment blocks in the barrios of its home city. Though the band only cut two LPs and a couple singles in their brief half-decade of existence, and never really broke out of the cuchifrito circuit in the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, their music gradually spread far and wide, eventually becoming a sought-after global commodity by the late 1990s. In contrast to the first album Libre -- Free is up-tempo and ebullient, with fewer slow songs and more confident, creative arrangements, full of heavy Nuyorican underground salsa dura propelled by raw trombones, off-kilter piano and in-your-face percussion.
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LP
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VAMPI 308LP
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Reissued here for the first time, Cartão Postal is one of the best and most sought-after Brazilian funk-soul albums from the early '70s. It includes some outstanding up-tempo gems like Marcos and Paulo Sergio Valle's "Que bandeira," and the stellar "Esperar Prá Ver," co-written by Evinha's brother Renato Corrêa who also happened to be a member of the Golden Boys. This is a classic Brazilian soul-funk title, right up there with all the greatest albums of the genre. Remastered from the original tapes and pressed on 180g vinyl. This release is part of a new reissue series that will include many other outstanding Brazilian classics. Cartão Postal was originally released on Odeon Brazil in 1971, a few years after Evinha started her solo career. From 1961 to 1968 she was a member of Trio Esperança, alongside her brothers Mário and Regina. In 1969 Evinha won first prize at the Festival Internacional da Cançao Popular and her discography for Odeon took off. Cartão Postal, her third solo album, comprises some outstanding gems. "Só Quero" emanates samba soul sounds while songs like "Por Mera Coincidência" or "Rico Sem Dinheiro" resemble what Trio Esperança was doing at the time: vocal-driven groovy jams spiced with celestial strings arrangements and heavy-duty drums and basslines, which is not surprising since they both worked with the same producers and arrangers, as they were all Odeon artists. Ridiculously rare and expensive now, and at the top of many collectors' wants lists for decades, it's finally reissued here after years unavailable.
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LP
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VAMPI 306LP
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Gerson King Combo's 1977 album is a masterpiece of Brazilian soul, emerged within the Black Rio movement, which was recorded with União Black as the backing band. It features the kind of full-on funky sound you'd only expect to hear from a rare few American groups of the time. Its ten songs mix political statements, which primarily address issues of racial pride, and dancefloor-oriented music. Remastered from the original tapes and pressed on 180g vinyl. This release is part of a new reissue series that will include many other outstanding Brazilian classics. The Côrtes brothers were born and raised in Madureira. Their careers in music stood away from samba carioca and followed different paths: Getúlio was one of Jovem Guarda's composers (author of hits such as "Negro Gato") while Gerson was involved in underground dance groups and would later (as Gerson King) become a leading figure in the Black Rio movement. This album was produced by Ronaldo Corrêa and features Pedrinho da Luz as artistic director. The album has achieved cult status over the years, becoming one of the most sought-after Brazilian funk records of all times. Ridiculously rare and expensive now, at the top of many collectors' wants lists, it's finally reissued here after years unavailable out of Brazil.
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LP
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VAMPI 310LP
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This is the best Chilean album of all time according to Rolling Stone magazine. It contains the latest compositions by Violeta Parra, including her global hit "Gracias a la vida." Vampisoul are now glad to present Las últimas composiciones de Violeta Parra as originally released in 1966, with remastered sound from the tapes and the original artwork. 180g vinyl. It was recorded for RCA Víctor at the end of 1966, despite the artist had signed a deal with EMI Odeon and released her previous albums on this label. After spending some time in Europe, Violeta Parra was back in Chile and wanted to record her most recent songs, filled with lyrics inspired by personal life's disappointments and social topics. The album contains great songs such as "Run Run se fue pa'l Norte," "Maldigo del alto cielo," "Rin del Angelito" and the global hit "Gracias a la vida." This is the very last album released while Violeta Parra was still alive as she would kill herself only four months later, in February 1967. In 1974 a new version of the album was released featuring string arrangements by Chilean composer Nino García and new artwork, a full-color illustration based on the black and white photo of the original album cover. This became the most popular version of the album available in decades. The ownership of the original master tapes has been the subject of judicial disputes since the late 1990s and until very recent times, which explains the difficulty in having access to the original work, as originally conceived, throughout this period.
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7"
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VAMPI 45108EP
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First time 7" reissue of this mega-rare Bobby Marin produced Latin funk gem. "Together People (Pamoja Watu)" sounds like a cross between James Brown's "It's A New Day" and Manu Dibango's "Soul Makossa," while "It's Your Thing" is a heavy Latin funk instrumental version of the Isley Brothers classic, featuring screaming Hammond organ. Both are DJ favorites and the original 45 fetches large sums, if you can find a copy. Generally, when discussing the first wave of Latin soul and boogaloo, it's the bands and their leaders, the singers and the songs that get all the recognition. But what of the producers, composers, and arrangers? One of the top old-school New York Latin music producers, Bobby Marin, was behind the scenes for some of the best independently produced boogaloo and salsa of the '60s and '70s. One of his best and most obscure productions was credited to Los Africanos, a studio project featuring Chico Mendoza and New Jersey-based band Ocho.
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LP
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VAMPI 309LP
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2025 restock. This is one of Ray Pérez's most highly sought-after albums, not only for its strong salsa dura anthems and funky boogaloo numbers but also for its brave, quirky eclecticism and youthful, rebellious spirit, all of which are reflections of "El Loco" Ray's unique genius, making him a beloved figure in rare record collector circles everywhere. The original is not that easy to find today and carries a hefty price. Thankfully, it has been remastered from the original tapes, fully licensed, with the original artwork, preserving and presenting the legacy of this great Venezuelan music for today's generation. The late 1960s was a very busy time when Pérez was juggling several different studio bands: Los Dementes, Los Calvos and Los Kenya. The daring experiment Pérez created with Los Calvos laid the basis for Los Kenya, an actual working band that released six albums between 1968 and 1972. Despite being titled Los Kenya, Vol. 2 because it was the second released by Discomoda, the record actually represents Los Kenya's third album, and is perhaps the most mature, well-rounded venture in the lot. In February 1969, on Discomoda, came Los Kenya, Vol. 2 Focused on the upcoming carnival season, it was calculated to compete with rival bands Federico Y Su Combo Latino and Sexteto Juventud for the plethora of gigs offered at that time of year. The album, like all Ray Pérez releases of the time, is short and powerful, with five tracks per side, showcasing a variety of singers, genres, rhythms, influences and arrangements, making this one of his more eccentric and interesting efforts. 1960s California "sunshine pop" rock (often referred to as "surf" on Los Kenya records), guajiras, boogaloos, descargas and even Mexican mariachi corridos are all added to the pot of salsa cooked up by "El Loco Ray" and his band. The album has been rescued from obscurity and lovingly restored, remastered from the original tapes, fully licensed, with its original artwork intact, preserving and presenting the legacy of this great Venezuelan music for today's generation of global salsa dura fans.
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LP
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VAMPI 307LP
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In 1969, producer and boogaloo godfather Bobby Marin conceived this undeservedly obscure funky, psychedelic Latin soul gem. Released on Ralph Lew's short-lived Dorado label and engineered by Jon Fausty, Bobby was backed by a top-notch studio band that included Ricardo Marrero, Joey Pastrana, Bernard Purdie, Louie Ramirez, Orlando Marin, and Ozzie Torrens. Includes liner notes by genre expert Pablo Yglesias telling the story behind the music. Generally, when discussing the first wave of Latin soul and boogaloo, it's the bands and their leaders, the singers and the songs that get all the recognition. But what of the producers, composers, and arrangers? One of the top old-school New York Latin music producers, Bobby Marin, was behind the scenes for some of the best independently produced boogaloo and salsa of the '60s and '70s. Saboreando: Pot Full Of Soul, is the album Bobby created in 1969 for his friend Ralph Lew's newly launched Dorado label. Fifty-five years later, Bobby confirms that he commemorated his humble Barrio beginnings playing stickball on West 107th Street and singing doo-wop while some kids played percussion on junkyard drums, by christening the band The 107th Street Stickball Team. The 107th Street Stickball Team was basically the same pool of friends as Ricardo Marrero's group, with the addition of Louie Ramirez playing piano and organ, Orlando Marin, Joey Pastrana and Ozzie Torrens on percussion, Mike Viñas handling the electric bass, and Butch Johnson and Danny Agosto on lead vocals for a few numbers. At that time, soul music was seen by the present Latin generation, indeed the youth market in general, as something that was different, that broke with tradition. The record, with Bobby singing several of the best tunes including "Mojo Shingaling" and "Rhythm and Soul," highlights an affinity or connection between African American and Cuban music in a convincing blend that was emblematic of the scene and allowed the young generation to feel they had a fresh kind of music all their own.
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VAMPI 45109EP
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Welcome to the psychedelic vibes of this weed-inspired double sider where Colombian salsa and Peruvian cumbia meet! "Cannabis" is a killer organ-driven salsa song recorded by Colombian music legend Fruko while "Marihuana" by Los Darlings de Huanuco was conceived as an effort to combine rock and cumbia sounds resulting a perfectly balanced mix of both worlds. First time 7" reissue of these extremely hard to find records! Julio Ernesto Estrada Rincón aka Fruko has probably had one the busiest recording careers in the salsa biz! Not only did Discos Fuentes release some 18 full LPs under the "Fruko" banner over a 20-year period, in addition there were various side-projects like Afrosound and Orquesta Full Salsa, and also one-off studio projects like Los Pambelé. "Cannabis" is the only song released under this name and happens to be a killer organ-driven weed inspired salsa song that funnily enough was renamed "Yerbabuena" (peppermint) when included on a 1972 compilation. On the flipside comes Los Darlings de Huanuco, a pioneer band in introducing rock sounds into the local music scene of this Peruvian city. Under the inspiration of international bands such as Led Zeppelin, Santana, or The Ventures and also local artists like Jean Paul "El Troglodita" or Los York's they recorded "Marihuana." Since the band background was cumbia, the resulting sound of the song is a perfect combination of both worlds despite the original idea was recording a rock number.
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7"
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VAMPI 45107EP
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Jonathan Richman's classic "Egyptian Reggae" has been responsible for setting thousands of discerning dance floors on fire. After getting the obvious Jah twist on a few occasions, so Vampisoul thought it was about time for the Richman's song to receive a fun yet respectful cumbia treatment! This cumbia candy has been recorded in Lima by no other than Pancho Acosta, founder and guitarist of Compay Quinto, and one of the greatest cumbia guitar players in Peru. On the flip side is one of Acosta´s own original songs, "Carnaval de Jujuy," recorded by Austin-based future-cumbia group Money Chicha. The band presents a fascinating exploration of the nexus of Peru's legendary fuzzed out early chicha sound and the band's unique application of chicha-influenced sounds to this terrific cumbia.
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2LP
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VAMPI 303LP
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These two vinyl records showcase the legacy left by the boogaloo movement in Peru between 1966 and 1975. They comprise twenty-two songs by seventeen artists who recorded on the remarkable local label MAG more than five decades ago and now invite today's new generations to dance body and soul to these re-releases. You will find outstanding tracks by the likes of Tito Chicoma, Melcochita, Los Kintos, Otto Rojas, and Coco Lagos among many others. MAG was one of the most important and prolific labels in Peru and, though it also was involved in releasing a lot of other types of music, its specialty was the tropical variety, which coincidentally, DJs and collectors seem to crave most. Peru developed a major boogaloo scene in the mid-60s, far from the genre's place of origin, New York, where iconic songs like "Bang Bang" and "El Pito" fused soul and funk with Latin sounds, conquering dance halls and winning extensive radio airplay. The music trend soon spread to Caribbean countries and from there made the geographical leap to the city of Lima. Although Joe Bataan claimed that boogaloo was killed off at the end of the sixties by the labels and their veteran musicians (who conspired against the new generation of singers), Pete Rodriguez, Richie Ray, and the Lebrón Brothers continued to release boogaloo records in Peru, but salsa music soon took over. These two vinyl records showcase the legacy left by this movement in Peru between 1966 and 1975. They comprise twenty-two songs by seventeen artists who recorded more than five decades ago and now invite today's new generations to dance body and soul to these re-releases. Featuring Santiago Silva, Ñico Estrada, Beto Villena, Nilo Espinosa Y Su Orquesta, Pancho Acosta Y Sus Guaracheros, Karamanduka, Mag Peruvian All Stars, Joe Di Roma, Sonora Casino, Luciano Luciani Y Sus Mulatos, Mario Allison Y Su Combo, Coco Lagos Y Sus Orates, Laghonia/New Juggler Sound, , Sangre Joven, and Conjunto Los Rayos Del Ande.
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7"
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VAMPI 45105EP
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Rare Afro-Latin gem recorded by Argentine actress, dancer and singer Egle Martin. Originally released in 1970 on Music Hall in Argentina, this 7" has become an elusive and sought-after record over the years, at the top of many collectors wants list due to its amazing dance floor energy. Egle Martin enjoyed a long career as a dancer, actress, singer and played an important role in the promotion of Afro roots in Rio de la Plata and in reclaiming Afro-Argentine culture. Her performances were fresh and powerful, showcasing diversity and, later on in her career, her desire to diffuse Afro-Latin American culture. By the time this single was recorded, Egle Martin had already performed in several plays and films; she had already sung with Dizzy Gillespie and the Berlin Symphony Orchestra; she had already released an album with composer and bandoneon player Astor Piazzolla. Egle sings in Spanish and her voice dazzles with a very distinctive sound and texture as she performs these rhythms; you can clearly appreciate the freedom and power in her vocals. In "El Dombe," tenderness permeates the lyrics as she tells the world what this dance and its cadenced rhythm is all about. "Dombe Bariló" is bolder and more sweeping in scope: the ritual and empowering message is uplifting. Roberto Montiel's arrangements are a prime example of the brilliant fusion of soul, funk and Latin American music, all linked through Afro roots.
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LP
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VAMPI 305LP
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Cocinando is an epic historical treasure that captures the explosive impact of the tropical music movement on Peruvian culture. It includes salsa, guarachas, rumbas, chichas and boleros, all masterfully performed by MAG's session stars under the direction of Martín López. Originally released in 1971, this Latin music gem comprises many outstanding dance floor tunes like "El Botecito," "Pa' Bailar" or "No Me Dejes." Get ready to be blown away! In 1969, singer and police lieutenant Pedro Gregorio López started recording a series of instrumental tracks and songs on the MAG record label in Peru, ranging from guaracha to cumbia, all cooked with musical eclecticism and simmered to appeal to a wide audience. Many of these musical ingredients combined on the 1971 album entitled Cocinando, in reference to the similarities between Peruvian cooking and tropical music. López began his career as a singer and orchestra conductor many years earlier, when he joined the backing singers for Lucho Macedo's Sonora. After completing his police training, he adopted the stage name Martín López, in order to preserve the anonymity his job required. Between 1969 and 1971 Martín López y sus Estrellas recorded all the tracks comprised on this album, including salsa, guarachas, rumbas, chichas and boleros, proving their knowledge and mastery of the tropical music lexicon. It is not surprising since the orchestra was made up of the most talented label's session stars: including the double bassist Joe di Roma, singer Pablo Villanueva "Melcochita", percussionists Ñiko Estrada and Coco Lagos, and trumpeter Tito Chicoma. Cocinando is an epic historical treasure that captures the explosive impact of the tropical music movement on Peruvian culture.
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2LP
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VAMPI 302LP
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Those in the know are well aware of Bobby Marin's work, and the fact that he was behind the scenes for some of the best boogaloo and salsa of the '60s and '70s. Yet, until now, no one has explicitly put Bobby's name in the headline and given him his due on the cover of a properly credited Latin soul compilation. This compilation comprises 24 essential boogaloo, Latin funk, rock and afro disco gems, each one bearing the mark of quality: "A Bobby Marin Production," including songs by Ricardo Marrero, the Ghetto Brothers, Ocho, Louie Ramírez, and more. A freshly curated overview of his fascinatingly complex back catalog in these genres. Generally, when discussing the "first wave" of Latin soul and boogaloo, it's the bands and their leaders, the singers and the songs that get all the recognition. But what of the producers, composers, and arrangers behind the music? Over the years, one of the best old-school New York Latin music producers, Bobby Marin, has occasionally been given some well-deserved credit and popped up sporadically in articles or liner notes (Wax Poetics, Fania, Gladys Palmera). However, to the casual public, he is not a household name, even among some fans of boogaloo and salsa. Thankfully, those rare few who are in the know are well aware of his work, and the fact that he was behind the scenes for some of the best boogaloo and salsa of the '60s and '70s. There are even some contemporary Latin soul compilations that contain mostly material licensed, produced and/or written by Bobby, and a tip of the hat must go to Bobby's friend Dean Rudland for all his work in this area, as well as to Rocafort Records for digging up the long-lost Nitty Gritty Sextet album. This collection aims to change that and give the man his Latin soul "props" for the first time on a freshly curated overview of his fascinatingly complex back catalog in this genre. Also featuring Richie & The Ps 54 School Yard, 107th Street Stickball Team, Louie Ramírez & His Orchestra, Johnny Rodriguez & Angel René Orchestra, La Cucaracha Brass, Herbie Olivieri & The Latin Blues Band, Los Africanos, and La Crema.
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7"
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VAMPI 45106EP
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This is a thrilling double-sider, a delight for DJs because of the funky dancefloor cuts that have never been available on a 45 before. Two outstanding funky gems from Piper Pimienta and Columna de Fuego, among the most innovative Colombian artists of the '70s. Early Fruko collaborator and member of Discos Fuentes' supergroup The Latin Brothers, Piper Pimienta was a renowned salsa singer and composer (and talented dancer!). Following his Fuentes period, he released several records on Venezuela's Discomoda label. "Pensamiento" is a killer Latin funk cut that was included on the 1979 album La Fuente by Piper Pimienta y su Orquesta and has never been available on a 45 before. The flipside features one of the most innovative groups on the Colombian musical circuit in 1973: Columna de Fuego. They forged its sound by creatively and organically mixing elements of heavy rock with rhythms rooted in the music of the Pacific and Caribbean coasts and also funk and soul, keeping a fast pace from start to finish. "Iñot" is an outstanding funky gem for the dancefloor taken from their only LP.
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