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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7"
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VAMPI 45110EP
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$15.50
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 2/21/2025
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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$28.50
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 2/21/2025
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 306LP
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$30.50
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 2/7/2025
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 308LP
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$30.50
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 2/7/2025
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 310LP
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$28.50
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 1/31/2025
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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7"
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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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LP
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VAMPI 309LP
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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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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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2LP
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VAMPI 304LP
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Amazing compilation of Litto Nebbia's recordings from 1971-1988, a magical and prolific time in the career of the Argentine artist and in the history of his record label, Discos Melopea, including different sounds, from jazz to Brazilian rhythms or experimental textures. Hip-hop artists and producers such as The Alchemist, Jay Electronica, and DJs such as Gilles Peterson have openly declared their admiration for Nebbia, generating great interest in his records among collectors around the world. This double-LP compilation comprises twenty-one recordings taken from some of his best-known albums and also rarities, tracks previously unavailable on vinyl and songs taken from his most obscure albums, the vast majority never reissued on vinyl before.
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LP
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VAMPI 300LP
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Unknown spiritual jazz gem recorded in Argentina in the '80s, under the influence of Pharoah Sanders, Don Cherry, Archie Shepp, and originally released on Litto Nebbia´s label Melopea. Already supported by Gilles Peterson on his radio show, this mind-blowing album combines ethno-free jazz passages and deep progressive compositions led by saxophonist Marcelo Peralta resulting a very impressive ode to the legacy of Coltrane. This is the first and only album ever released by this band, Grupo de Improvisación Tercer Mundo ("Third World Improvisation Group"), formed by a quartet of young musicians based in Buenos Aires accompanied by drummer Norberto Minchillo (López Fürst, Fernando Gelbard, Jorge Navarro) and Litto Nebbia himself during the recording sessions. They would also organize weekly jam sessions in public spaces in Buenos Aires, getting visual artists, poets and even passersby involved in these communal actions that aimed to promote self-expression in an environment of total freedom. After the gigs they'd gather again for intense listening sessions of deep jazz for hours. "Almas Liberadas" and "Un Hilo de Luz" sound as a clear tribute to Pharoah Sanders, as the subtitle of the latter openly states. First time reissue. Includes extensive notes and many previously unpublished photos.
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LP
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VAMPI 301LP
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The self-titled Orquesta Olivieri appeared in 1972, just when the Fania Records revolution, powerfully controlling the salsa business, was reaching its peak. It disappeared for good, sadly representing the last production by this band. This 1972 album reflects the years when salsa was exploding In New York City, and, for that matter, Latin America altogether. Produced by Bobby Marin, an experienced go-to man in Latin Music, especially Afro-Caribbean sounds, was released by Pavilion Records, a NYC restaurant related label. This was actually the only album ever released by this, very short-lived label. Side A opens with the slow-paced Latin soul song "There is No Other Girl," that style-wise connects to their previous LP, released when the boogaloo trend was still around. In fact, this song had been previously released two years earlier on a 45 and was then overdubbed (adding an organ on top) for this LP version. The song is very much in demand these days in the lowrider soul scene due to the breath-taking vocal harmonies and appealing production. The album also comprises spicy guaguancós on "Cuando llegué a Borinquen," the classic "Los Muchachos de Belén" and "Tabaritiando." There is also room for a cha-cha-chá, "María Isabel," and a guaracha "Perrito sabueso," and the album closes with the Latin soul ballad "Preferí perderte," interpreted in Spanish. First time official reissue.
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7"
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VAMPI 45104EP
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The Bronx in the 1970s, marked by the presence of notorious gangs, presented a complex and challenging urban landscape reflected in abandoned buildings and neglected public spaces. The prevalence of street gangs, such as the Ghetto Brothers, contributed to an atmosphere of heightened tension and occasional violence. The Ghetto Brothers, originating from the Melendez family who moved from Puerto Rico to the South Bronx in the 1950s, faced challenges involving violence and crime. Despite this, Benjy Melendez, a key figure, directed the group towards community improvement. The Ghetto Brothers embraced music, crafting a potent, NYC-flavored musical fusion that caught the attention of record mogul Ismael Maisonave (Salsa Records). Their collaboration resulted in the recording of eight tracks in a single electrifying day at Manhattan's Fine Tone Studios, skillfully produced by Latin studio maestro Bobby Marin (Harvey Averne, La Lupe, Brooklyn Sounds), one of the best Latin funk albums ever recorded. This musical odyssey showcases the band's ability to seamlessly blend genres, creating a NYC-flavored stew that captivates listeners with its authenticity. The two tracks on this single, stand out songs from the LP, are a perfect representation of the Ghetto Brothers sound. "Got This Happy Feeling" is an upbeat number with heavy Latin funk grooves, while "Girl From the Mountain" is a highly addictive mid-tempo soulful ballad. These tracks are a vibrant tapestry, weaving together the raw energy of the South Bronx streets and the soulful melodies born from the band's Puerto Rican heritage.
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LP
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VAMPI 299LP
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Guaracheros was released on MAG, in Peru, at the end of 1961 and includes six versions, four of them are of Cuban origin, and also original compositions masterfully performed by Nelson Ferreyra's Sonora. Nelson Ferreyra's career went from strength to strength, and was publicly recognized as an international figure of tropical music. This album is a brilliant reflection of MAG's tagline: "Si su fiesta le fracasa, discos MAG faltan en casa" ("If your party flops, you're missing MAG records at home"). First time reissue. The records Nelson Ferreya recorded at the MAG studios display his passion for Cuban music and particularly for guaracha, accompanied by the pianist Cano Romero, a personal friend who had played with him from the early days of his career, and would go on to find his own orchestra some years later. Kiko Hernández, the lead singer, joined Ferreyra in almost all his future projects, until his early death in the seventies. Few countries outside Cuba embraced Guaracha as enthusiastically as Peru. Pancho Acosta, Króffer Jiménez, Oswaldo Barreto, and Nelson Ferreyra himself kept the genre alive with their compositions in the sixties and, in the following decade, several of the classics of the Peruvian cumbia movement are really guarachas composed in different parts of the country. "Guaracheros" (Kiko Hernández and Pablo Villanueva) opens the LP, a highly crafted composition by Cano Romero. Maintaining the dance level, two songs by Nelson Ferreyra follow: "Con cencerro y timbal" and "Fiesta en el aire." The references to Venezuela in the lyrics are not accidental, as the LP was also distributed there, where it sold very well. Nelson Ferreyra's career went from strength to strength, and he went on to tour Panama, Chile and Ecuador. In the latter, he was publicly recognized as an international figure of tropical music.
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LP
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VAMPI 297LP
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Brooklyn Sounds legendary 1971 debut album, full of heavy Nuyorican underground salsa dura propelled by raw trombones and in-your-face percussion, born of the barrio streets and the band's Caribbean heritage. Fully authorized by producer Bobby Marin, with liner notes detailing the Brooklyn Sounds story, featuring never-before seen photos and pressed on 180g vinyl. In the bustling rhythm-filled streets of 1970s New York, where the Latin music scene pulsated with energy, one clandestine project emerged from the shadows to become a hidden gem of raw, unfiltered musical brilliance -- the legendary Brooklyn Sounds! album. Crafted by the audacious Bobby Marin, a maestro with an appetite for risk, this masterpiece is not just an album; it's a sonic rebellion that echoes the untamed spirit of the city. The iconic album cover, a creation of the visionary Charlie Rosario, is a testament to the band's urban roots. A stark, black-and-white photograph of a snow-clad fire escape, rendered with high contrast, encapsulates the hard realities of the city that birthed Brooklyn Sounds' unmistakable sound. It's not just an album cover; it's a visual manifesto, a slice of New York's gritty soul frozen in time. As the reels rolled in the studio, capturing the essence of guaguancó, son montuno, bomba, and Latin soul, the band's music spoke to the streets, telling tales of broken romance, Santería, Puerto Rican roots, and the unbridled revelry of the city that never sleeps. The recording exuded a savage, smoggy vibe, full of heavy Nuyorican underground salsa dura propelled by raw trombones and in-your-face percussion. Released under the audacious Salsa Records -- a name that turned heads and raised eyebrows -- Brooklyn Sounds! broke free from the mold, refusing to be confined by mainstream expectations. The LP became a sought-after treasure, transcending its low-budget origins. This hidden jewel, with its relentless rhythms and untamed spirit, never succumbed to the airwaves controlled by the big labels. It's a rebellion against the establishment, a testament to the band's refusal to conform. While Brooklyn Sounds may not have soared to mainstream heights, its impact echoes through collector circles worldwide, from Toronto to Tokyo, where enthusiasts crave the rare, the raw, and the rebellious. So, dive into the infectious beats, feel the authenticity pulsating through every track, and let Brooklyn Sounds! take you on a journey back to the untamed streets of 1970s New York.
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7"
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VAMPI 45103EP
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This 7" single features two outstanding cumbias published on MAG in the '60s that have never been available on a 45 release before. Dance floor oriented tropical music at its best! MAG has been, since its foundation in 1953, a pivotal label in Peruvian music, allowing the development of the careers of both tropical artists and musicians of other genres such as rock, pop and jazz. At the head was Don Manuel Antonio Guerrero, its founder, and the name of the record company is nothing more than an acronym formed from its own name. (M.A.G.). Carlos Pickling was a legendary MAG artist who led the orchestra that accompanied Benny del Solar, Lita Branda, and Melcochitain the tropicalized version of Spanish rumba, when the beats of Iberian rumba were still exotic in South America, and he also played countless cumbias, mambos and guarachas. The distinctive sound of his Hammond organ can be heard on this recording, "Cumbia Morena," as it became his signature sound. Los Demonios de Corocochay were one of the first Andean cumbia bands in Peru and sported a unique sound spiced up with the textures of a playful organ, as can be heard on this superb "Cumbia en Dominante."
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2LP
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VAMPI 298LP
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A selection of 28 Colombian cumbia bangers for the dance floor from the deep vaults of Codiscos and associated labels Costeño, Zeida and Famoso, all of them originally released between 1962 and 1983. 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 in Colombia are nebulous and imprecise. The mythology surrounding it suggests an ancient past when Amerindian, African and European musical sounds were mixed together. The main record companies in Colombia such as Discos Fuentes, Discos Tropical, Sonolux, Zeida-Codiscos, Silver, Ondina, Discos Atlantic, Vergara and Curro were created between Barranquilla, Medellín, Cartagena and Bogotá from 1936 to 1954. All of them, without exception, recorded Colombian tropical music that over the years was given different names such as porro, gaita, fandango, paseaito, merecumbé, mapalé, bullerengue or, of course, cumbia. After digging deep into the overwhelming archive of Discos Fuentes in the previous volume, this second instalment in the series Cumbia Cumbia Cumbia!!! comprises 28 Colombian cumbia bangers for the dance floor from the deep vaults of Codiscos and associated labels Costeño, Zeida and Famoso, all of them originally released between 1962 and 1983. Legally established on July 1, 1950, Zeida (later Codiscos) was one of the companies that consolidated Medellín as the epicenter of the Colombian recording industry in the central decade of the last century. 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. Featuring Los Hermanos Martelo, Los Trotamundos, Antonio León Y Su Conjunto, Antolín Y Su Combo Orense, Francisco Zapata, Crescencio Salcedo, Sonidos De Gamero, Los Teen Agers, Miguel Villalba Y Su Conjunto, Calixto Ochoa, Alfredo Gutiérrez Y Los Caporales Del Magdalena, El Michi Y Su Combo Bravo, Los Graduados, Gabriel Mesa, Adolfo Pacheco Y Su Conjunto, El Conjunto Miramar, El Combo Cienaguero, La Sonora Universitaria, Orquesta De Marcial Marchena, Rita Fernández, Jaime Llano González, Los Arko, Aniceto Molina Y Su Conjunto, Los Bobby Soxers, Catalino Y Su Combo Negro, La Cumbia Moderna De Soledad, Alejandro Bernal, and Grupo La Droga.
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LP
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VAMPI 296LP
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In the few years that the Disperú record label was operative, it managed to open its doors to emerging artists, who were often ignored by the major labels but would go on to leave their mark on Peruvian popular music. In 1967, Disperú commissioned trumpeter Toño Reyes to form a band he called Toño y sus Sicodélicos. During the recording sessions for this album, they performed a series of songs that reflected the latest tropical music trends, in his inimitable style. Instrumentals such as "Mr. Boogaloo", "El Guayacol", "La Anticuchera", "La Peinadora", and "La Fiesta es Mañana" are versions that follow the lines traced by the Mexican composer and drummer Leo Acosta. In the early sixties, based in Los Angeles, Acosta played with the orchestras of Harry James, Sammy Davis Jr, Tony Bennett, Herb Alpert, and Dámaso Pérez Prado. Mid-decade, Acosta turned to the novel sounds of boogaloo, which immediately caught the attention of young South Americans. The song "Borinque Bella" is another cover version, originally recorded by The TNT Band, based in New York. Another noteworthy influence on the album is the blind Venezuelan organist Tulio Enrique León, who performed cumbias and guarachas enhanced by his Hammond organ, as is the case of "Chin Chin". Songs in vogue at the time complete the album. The best known is perhaps "Es la lluvia que cae", popularized in Spanish in 1967 by Los Iracundos. "Tequila" and "No te bote", by The Champs and Sonora Matancera, respectively, were also classics on Lima's radio stations. "Las hojas secas", by the Mexicans Los Zignos, was so popular that it was even covered by Peruvian rock groups such as Los Steivos and Los 007. The success reaped by Toño y sus Sicodélicos took them straight to another record company, and the group's records were also re-released in neighboring countries, always with striking psychedelic cover illustrations. First time reissue. Includes original striking psychedelic artwork and remastered sound.
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7"
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VAMPIC 45003EP
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Back in 2004, Vampisoul played a role in the return to recording of the legendary Joe Bataan, which fully materialized in the lauded 2005 album Call My Name, written and produced by Daniel Collás. But first came out the preview 45 Chick-A-Boom/Cycles of You, which quickly became a DJ favorite and guaranteed dancefloor filler, long out of print until now. Hear Collás explain how it all happened: "This whole project grew out of a song called 'Cycles of You', which I had written around 2000-2001 with the guitarist and bassist of my band at the time, Easy. The chord progression and vocal melody really reminded me of Bataan, and it occurred to me that it wouldn't be impossible to get him into the studio to do a guest vocal if we ever recorded it. I had met Bataan a few years before at a small, family-reunion style show at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in my neighborhood, where he not only still sounded great, but was also gracious and easy to talk to. By the time we got around to recording with Easy, the band was about to break up but we still had the studio booked. We all agreed that we didn't want to continue as a band, but at the same time, it would be a shame to never record what we had been working on. Around this time Bataan was playing out again, so I went to the show to see him and find out if he'd be interested in doing some vocals with us. He was agreeable, so we decided to turn it into a Joe Bataan session and do 'Cycles of You'. The funny thing is, 'Chick A Boom', a live favorite with Easy, was hastily added so we could have a B-side, but it ended up chosen to be the A-side of the single." Red vinyl.
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