Latin | Brazil Vinyl 354 Items

The Caribbean has long been an incubator for the sounds that will animate and shape the culture of the rest of the world for decades to come: From the rhythms of Cuba helping to shape American jazz, blues and rock n’ roll, to Trinidadian calypso introducing a bouncy lightness and gaiety to American party music, to Jamaica’s reggae showing a new way to rebel against convention. But what about the music of Belize, the Caribbean nation that holds the odd position of being a former British colony on the coat of Spanish-speaking Central America? Most people don’t know about the country at all, let alone about the rich sounds it has to offer. Bredda David Obi set out to change that in 1984 with the release of his debut LP No Fear, and the introduction of a new Belizean groove he called kungo or cungo. A mélange of traditional Belizean brukdown music and sprinklings of the rock, funk, calypso and reggae he had played n various bands during his years as a journeyman in the United States. He would further develop this modern tropical sound on subsequent albums, integrating more and more elements from Belizean niche genres like sambai and paranda. Cultures of Soul is proud to take part in documenting Bredda David’s journey into the soul of Belize with an anthology of his early recordings including tracks from No Fear, Cungo Musik 1987 and We No Wa No Kimba Ya 1990 albums. Bredda David’s kungo is hard to describe exactly—its various ingredients make it feel somewhat familiar, but the recipe with which he blends them is slightly strange, fresh and intriguing. But one thing is for certain, it is sure to electrify the dance floor and make everybody jump up and bruk down! Housed in a gatefold jacket with extensive liner notes by Uchenna Ikonne.

Joey Pastrana had a special gift for singing
songs in both English and Spanish. Along with
other boogaloo luminaries like Pete Rodriguez
and Joe Cuba; Joey Pastrana was responsible
for introducing Latin music to many English
speakers across America. With a wonderful and
talented orchestra, Joey Pastrana paved the
way for the new Latin music fusions that have
come to be known as the Latin boogaloo.
A master of the timbales, Pastrana was also
a brilliant singer known internationally for
his energizing live performances. Honing his
musical skills in his beloved New York City,
Joey was enamored at an early age by the
sights and sounds coming out of Spanish
Harlem during the early sixties. Taking his cue
from the R&B and Jazz that was popular at that
time, Pastrana became a master of rolling
rhythms that shook up hips in dance floors
throughout the world. One of the top artists of
the boogaloo/Latin soul era, Joey Pastrana’s
music is regarded as one the most wonderful
and exquisite examples of the world-famous
New York Latin sound.

The latest sonic adventure by King Coya, danceable alter ego of Gaby Kerpel (De La Guarda, Fuerza Bruta) a pioneer of Latin American folklore fused with electronic music, is called “Tierra de King Coya” (Land of King Coya) where rhythms such as the wayno and instruments from the Andes like the ronroco and tarka, are digitally intertwined with the ritual of dance and celebration. Like a sorcerer from the future, King Coya creates a map of sound exploration navigating the continent through his digital point of view. For this project he incorporates his own voice and also plays a smattering of live instruments.
Since his debut as King Coya with “Cumbias de Villa Donde” (2009) Gaby has produced remixes for artists such as Amadou & Mariam, Brazilian Girls, Julieta Venegas, Luzmila Carpio, Chancha Via Circuito, Tom Tom Club, Petrona Martinez and Magin Díaz amongst others. As well as forming part of the band Terraplén (2010) produced by Santaolalla and the album “Tira Torito” along the coplera Balvina Ramos.
The journey through the “Land of King Coya” begins with “Te Digo Wayno” a powerful track that highlights the joy of dance, and makes a poetic introduction of the Queen Cholas, a dance trio that performs with him during live shows. A true ceremony of celebration that integrates the audience into a singular immersive experience.
The album features diverse guest singers such as: La Yegros - musical companion from his first shows at Zizek Club and for whom he has produced 3 albums. On the first single “Algo” (Something) a sort of kuduro mutates into and Andean dub. For the song “Tierra de King Coya” a combination of Colombian buyerengue and Argentine carnavalito we find La Walichera’s enchanting voice. Balvina Ramos collaborates on “Pa que yo Te Cure” a remix of the song “Linda Flor” (Tira Torito - 2012). Iara Nara - one of the Queen Cholas - jumps in on the track “Pachamá” with airs of a coplera singer over dancehall beats, reinforcing the main objective of bringing folklore to the dancefloor.
“Como Saber” (How to know) and “Dorremi” invoke his foundational album “Carnavalito”, (Nonesuch Records 2001) instilling a particular energy to this album that aims to represent the journey in which Gaby Kerpel ultimately becomes King Coya. The end of this road comes with “Icaro Llama Planta” alongside Isabel Pinedo Rengifo’s mystical voice, a healer from the Shipibo community (Peru), whos shamanic chants invite the listener to reconnect with the earth and give closure to this festive ceremony.

The Bongo Hop is the new afro Caribbean project presented by french trumpetist Etienne Sevet. On Satingarona Pt.1, friends from his Colombian years, like vocalist Nidia Gongora (Ondatropica, Quantic) rapper Maikcel (Zalama crew), but also famous producer multinstrumentalist Patchworks (Voilaaa, Dynamics, Taggy Matcher, Uptown Funk Empire,…) among others, join in for his first musical travel diary, inspired by 8 years as a Cali resident. In this first project, you can hear his personal take on tropical tempos, as he launches a storm of infectious grooves – ranging from highlife, to vallenato-meets-dub, dance hall, afrobeat, or kompa, combined with warm horns.

EXCITING LATIN SOUNDS COMPILED BY GLADYS PALMERA

We introduce to you “Loca Ilusion: Exciting Latin Sounds Compiled By Gladys Palmera”, a unique compilation for its quality, selection, sound and taste.

You will hardly find another compilation album like this one, where the best of Gladys Palmera’s Colection is found and with the personal touch of Gladys herself, Alejandra Fierro Eleta.

Here you will find different versions of well-known songs, surprising displays of vocal mastery, crazy jam sessions to immediately dance to, instrumentals full of virtuosity, gatherings of great music stars unnoticed until now and rare songs by artists who can only be found in Gladys Palmera´s archive.

Gladys Palmera herself has spent hours and hours searching, listening to, choosing, selecting and refining each piece of music for all of us to enjoy. These are recordings from the 60s and 70s made in different cities in Latin America and with styles ranging from the most traditional Antillean folklore to mixes and combinations with jazz, swing, twist, exotic and bossa nova.

“Loca Ilusion: Exciting Latin Sounds Compiled by Glady Palmera” is a production of Discos Gladys Palmera and a small sample of what is considered the best and biggest Afrolatin collection in the world.

“Style, Style is the answer to everything, an original way to face a boring day, or a dangerous day, I'd rather do a boring job with style, than an exciting thing without style, style is pure art”. It is with these words that Rodrigo Brandão begins his poetic, spiritual journey and with high doses of “straight talk” without “eiras or borders”. A record that brings at its core a mixture of elements such as jazz, psychedelia, spoken word, synthesizers and afro futurism with Brazilian matrices. Brandão makes us reflect, bothers us and forces us to understand the other sides, questioning society's problems for the reality of life. The past, now and future in one direction, like a revolutionary celestial storm.

Twisting time and uniting spaces with words and sounds in “other states”. Rodrigo invokes in his narrative the subversion of the listeners. Mentioning that we can face life's difficulties and beauties through style, propagating love instead of hate. A transcendental journey that will undoubtedly transform many who will embark on this sidereal state.

Here and after the LP “Outros Espaço” alongside the mythical SUN RA Arkestra, Brandão arrives accompanied by musicians with a unique caliber from the spiritual jazz and international free jazz, such as the Brazilians Thiago França (meta Meta) and Guilherme Granado (Rob Mazurek Octet, São Paulo Underground ) the free jazz magicians Rodrigo Amado, Yedo Gibson, Hernâni Faustino and Carla Santana the Guinean Kora magician José Braima Galissa. Luxury cast that make Outros Estado an unavoidable work in current the current jazz scene.

“The truth is hard to hear. Even in music. But I can tell you that when you really listen to it, it's beautiful, like the sweetest sound you've ever heard. Brandão's poetry is like that. Lower your weapons. And listen with the same vulnerability it was created with. That's where you'll find beauty. “Brian Jackson” Felipe Portes Jornalista, Sociólogo, DJ e Escritor

“Déjà Vu”, a true labour of love project featuring 5 previously unreleased songs from two of Brazil’s most celebrated artists, Robson Jorge and Lincoln Olivetti. Recorded between 1982 and 1986, these tracks take off from the legendary boogie-disco, jazz-funk fusion sound they presented in their first – and only – album together and allow us to have a glimpse of what their planned second volume would sound like. This collection of songs is a must-have for DJs, Brazilian music fans, and music aficionados alike.

Robson Jorge and Lincoln Olivetti have been influential figures in the Brazilian music scene for decades, with their innovative and groovy sound inspiring many artists in Brazil and beyond. They participated in more than 1,000 records, including groundbreaking work with Tim Maia, Marcos Valle, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, Rita Lee, and Jorge Ben, either arranging, producing and/or playing in their albums. This release offers a unique opportunity to experience some of their never-heard-before material, each song expertly restored and remastered from Lincoln Olivetti’s vaults to ensure that the original recordings were preserved.

For disco DJs, this record is a treasure trove of dancefloor gold, specially the opening track “Suspira”, certified material to get any party started. Brazilian music fans worldwide will appreciate the unique blend of Brazilian rhythms with disco and funk elements. And for music aficionados, this release is a rare gem, offering a peek into the creative process of two legendary musicians and producers. In the end, this very special release has the potential to be a hit with a wide range of music lovers.

Comes with an 8-page insert with photo's and liner notes in portuguese and english.

Enigmatic group known for their song Cumbia Del Desierto on a 7-inch vinyl they share with El Dragón Criollo at El Palmas Music. This song was played with fury by music lovers and collectors around the world.

Well, beautiful people La Jungla is back with the melody in this mini album titled De Borondo!!! A cut of four songs where criticism, humor, experiences and good vibes are present throughout all the songs.

Rocafort Records celebrates its 10th anniversary with an alternate cover repress of one of the labels most celebrated releases.
Recorded in 1967 and lost for almost 50 years until its discovery and release in 2015, The Nitty Gritty Sextet album features the best musicians from the 60's NY Latin scene: Jimmy Sabater, Louie Ramirez, Tito Puente, Charlie Palmieri, Willie Torres…. and has often been described as one of the best boogaloo era albums.
Limited edition vinyl release!

Fans of Coltrane will certainly dig this historical 1970s spiritual jazz album from Argentina which left an everlasting imprint in the local jazz scene. From the eerie “Blues para un cosmonauta” —which could easily fit in the Twin Peaks soundtrack—, to the majestic “Líneas Torcidas” or the mid-tempo groove of “Mi amigo Tarzán”, new landscapes in jazz are explored without hiding, at moments, the musicians’ bebop pedigree. Venturing into uncharted dimensions, the album breaks with traditionalism and combines jazz and new electronic instruments into a contemporary concept that is both cosmic and sensual, a sound where timbre and space play a crucial role. Here, no track sounds like the other. The charismatic, multifaceted saxophone player Horacio “Chivo” Borraro is joined here most notably by Fernando Gelbard —who pioneered electronic keyboards and analog synths in Argentina, playing here Fender Rhodes and Minimoog— and Brazilian musician Stenio Mendes —who plays the 12-string craviola and contributes two tracks. Jorge González on bass and Néstor Astarita on drums —both part of Gato Barbieri‘s rhythm section in the early 60s— and Chino Rossi —responsible for much of the unusual percussion and special effects that give the album its unprejudiced aura— complete the line-up of Blues para un Cosmonauta.

All DJs have their own way of building their set. Some pick records entirely on the spur of the moment and trust their instincts, others write down a precise list on a piece of paper and never stray from it; the set is a kitchen where the DJ is the Chef. It doesn't matter how it’s done, as long as it's done properly and enjoyed by everyone, that's what matters the most.

I think I'm combining these two methods when building my set, except that instead of a meal, I'm talking about a story. A story that crosses styles, countries, atmospheres, and that I tell in a different way every night. With, however, a method that I respect.

Between the new stuff I get from the labels, the stuff that friends and fans send me, and what I dig myself, I have enough to make a different set from A to Z, every night! However, before these treats can delight the dancefloor, each of them has to go through a quite precise process.

The first step is to digitalize my tracks in high quality. I can play several dates in a week, so carrying boxes of records to places that are sometimes far apart is out of the question. The WAV format has become my best friend. With it, I can edit some tracks, cut parts or lengthen others. Sometimes, an interminable intro is not necessary, while a furious break needs to repeat itself a bit longer.

Then, the second step consists in classifying the tracks by genre and origin. A real library is thus created where each title has its own place. Accessible (almost) without searching. I know all too well the experience of getting lost in one's own collection, trying to read the spines, pulling out a record halfway from its shelf only to put it back in it immediately. No, that's not the one... where did I put that other one then?...

From these folders I then draw the titles which will be part of the third stage: the selection for the DJ set. Nothing is set in stone, tracks come and go on a regular basis. I have year-round squatters as well as residents passing through for a few weeks. Or days. It is from there that I begin to elaborate the story that I will be telling for three or four hours.

The beginning of the set is always the same. Welcoming the dancers gently. Letting them take their marks with a musical aperitif of tracks at 80/90 BPM, something that many DJs don’t do or no longer do.

The end is always the same. Parting with the dancers gently. Letting them go down peacefully. Their evening with me is over, but it is perhaps another one, more intimate, that will be starting for them.

In between these two moments, it’s all about the story itself, with its cumbia, reggae, hip hop, lusophone music, funk, soul-jazz twists... A rich story which tells itself in the mood of the moment and back on the dance floor. Depending on the general atmosphere, the rise in musical power can start after an hour and thirty minutes of preliminaries, or it can happen only after 45 minutes. The climax is reached with the Afro-house part, a furious passage that makes overexcited music from Zimbabwe and punk music from South Africa confront each other along a total experimentation with tracks so disturbing that they put the dancers' legs out of sync. This represents a moment of rupture in the narrative, its only purpose being to help reconnect with the dance floor as soon as it is over and to re-launch the story with even greater interest.

Those who have already come to see my DJ set know this: each of my stories is unique.

I hope you’ll enjoy the one I’m telling you in this third volume.

Pura Vida

Guts

Ese puerto existe' is the sophomore album by Venezuelan folk trio, Insólito UniVerso, a psychedelic dream towards sound and its powers of communication. On it, the band explore the diverse geography, rhythms and traditions of their home country of Venezuela, through their own distinctive sound. Featuring additional vocals by Stereolab co-founder and solo artist Lætitia Sadier, and mixed by Meridian Brothers mastermind, Elbis Álvarez and Heliocentrics co-founder and producer, Malcolm Catto. On their debut album, ‘La Candela del Río’ (to be reissued Very soon), the band created a magical Latin American sound of their very own, leading to critical acclaim from the likes of Songlines, Bandcamp, The Wire and many more; as well as a nomination for Best Group at the Songlines Awards in 2020

La Candela del Río is the debut album by Paris-based Venezuelan quartet Insólito UniVerso. In the space of 8 tracks, the band fuses traditional Venezuelan styles, such as joropo, merengue caraqueño, or tambores de San Millán with psych, chanson, and contemporary electronics. Co-produced by The Heliocentrics' Malcolm Catto, the record shows two distinct sides; on the one hand there's euphoric music that begs to be danced to, while on the other there's melancholy, mystery and devotion. Originally released back in 2018, the record's initial run of 500 copies has been long sold out and is presented here in a new edition of 300 including the original artwork and printed lyrics insert

As the album title suggests, this work represents a big step forward for Gerardo Frisina, an artist that has always been open to any influence and whose unstoppable creativity has given birth to a 2-LP’s worth of new material! Nu-latin, Afro and electronic beats merge with Afro-Cuban rhythm into a massive dancefloor groove!

Mar & Sol presents the new album of the legendary band África Negra,"Alia cu Omali". New songs and some popular classics recorded between Lisbon and S.Tomé.
This album Its a reflection of the old rumba and soukous music that this epic band of São Tomé e Príncipe got us used to. They are an icon and one of the main bands of this island, representing in their music the authenticity and culture of the former Portuguese colony on the equatorial meridian.
It is our mission to expand this culture and here it is the testimony in our series of Luso Afro music which could best represent São Tomé.

Estrela Mágica is a collaboration between Winter (Samira Winter) and Triptides (Glenn Brigman). The duo didn’t plan on making a record together; they simply set out to create the type of music they both loved. Sighting influences from Brazil’s colorful Tropicalia movement as well as the phased out sunshine psychedelia of the American 1960’s, Winter and Brigman started blending together their favorite musical colors into a brand new sonic palette. Two years and a dozen home recording sessions later, they had crafted enough material to form the Estrela Mágica LP.

The pair first met in Los Angeles and immediately bonded over their mutual love of Brazilian music and culture. Winter, growing up in Curitiba, Brazil was exposed to mpb, samba and tropicalia at an early age by her mother Maristela, who used to sing “Ele Dorme” and “Raio De Sol” to young Samira (both appear as new arrangements on the record). Brigman, while attending Indiana University, was introduced to Brazilian music by his roommate Pedro Assad who left him a collection of Brazilian samba, bossa nova and tropicalia LP’s upon moving to Rio de Janeiro.

While Winter and Brigman perform most of the music on the record, they were graced with the guest appearances of some their musical friends; Jason Simon (Dead Meadow), Julian Porte (Levitation Room), Modeste Cobián (The Buttertones), Mason Rothschild (Fever The Ghost), Tiago Lobão (Nevilton).

The music was recorded throughout LA, starting in the basement of Winter’s Echo Park house, traveling to a studio in Highland Park and ending in an apartment in East Hollywood. Brigman’s trusty Tascam 488 Portastudio tape machine travelled with them capturing the nuances of each environment to give each song a unique voice and sound.

Whether or not you speak Portuguese, the nostalgic, hazey sound and classic song crafting of Estrela Mágica will translate into any heart that is willing to open itself to the music. From melancholic ruminations on time and loneliness to blissful statements of friendship and peace, Winter and Brigman are exploring the universal aspects of the human experience. Whether sung in Portuguese, Spanish or English, these songs transcend language and plunge straight into the soul.

Record is slightly warped but still enjoyable.
Still shrink wrapped but opened.
Cover as new with slightly dented corners.

Two brothers, two guitars, two distinct identities, who become one soul when they compose music. Stephan and Alejandro, are the Hermanos Gutierrez, an instrumental music band with an unmistakable genre that is rooted in Western and Latin American sound. Born from an Ecuadorian mother and a Swiss father they grew up being forged by both cultures, bridging between two worlds, both of which are home.

Their mix of identities, that constant search across different countries clearly emerges in their songs. Their music takes the audience on an intimate journey through time evoking remote spaces. A magical sound that touches the heart, that sparks passion and nostalgia. An open invitation to a constant dialogue of melodies and instruments.

Playing together since their early childhood, a profound musical and interpersonal symbiosis ties the two brothers. If one of them has a melody, the other one completes it with harmony. There is a deep understanding between the two of them, without any need for words.

Active as a band since 2015, they have recorded four albums: “8 Años” (2017), “El Camino De Mi Alma” (2018), “Hoy Como Ayer” (2019), and the newly released LP “Hijos Del Sol” (Children Of The Sun). A body of work that has been inspired by their journey through the vast natural landscapes of Mexico, the silence of the desert, the sun, and their love for this country that made them feel “like going home”, as they affirm. Out came a soundtrack of the sceneries they’ve been exploring.

Som Imaginário are the stuff of MPB mythos. Integral to Brazil’s Clube Da Esquina movement in the early 1970s, a heady blend of progressive rock, folk, psychedelia, jazz and traditional Brazilian rhythm flows through the three studio albums the band recorded between ‘70 and ‘73. Flying the countercultural freak-flag amid the context of military dictatorship, the Brazilian prog lords shared much of the sense of experimentation and bountiful fuzz bequeathed by their tropicalismo forbearers. But armed with genius composers, arrangers and stupendously high-level musicianship, Som Imaginário introduced a potent harmonic complexity to Brazilian popular music, which would inspire generations of artists to come.



On 4th October 1976, having finished a spell of recording and touring with Milton Nascimento, Som Imaginário performed a concert in celebration of Nature Day in Brasília. The recordings of the show would become “Banda Da Capital”, which, for the past half century, has laid dormant, waiting for its mystical power to be untapped.



In the band that day were original members Wagner Tiso and Fredera, joined by Nivaldo Ornelas, Paulinho Braga and Jamil Joanes. Operating within such a hugely creative and free-spirited scene meant line-up fluctuations were inevitable and former Som Imaginário members also include Laudir de Oliveira (who left to join Chicago), Nana Vasconcelos (who also moved to work in the US), Zé Rodrix, Robertinho Silva, Novelli and Toninho Horta.



Titled after the Belo Horizonte radio station where they would practice during their youth, the show opens with “Rádio Guarany”, an improvisation led by Paulinho Braga and Nivaldo Ornelas. The track morphs into Nivaldo Ornelas’ composition “Xa Mate”, which also opens Milton Nascimento’s Milagre dos Peixes ao Vivo album, featuring Som Imaginário and a 32 piece orchestra.



Having grown up together in Minas Gerais, composer, arranger and keyboard player Wagner Tiso had been another close musical partner of Milton Nascimento’s. Some of their work together includes many of Bituca’s most beloved albums, including Clube Da Esquina, Milton Nascimento (1970) and Maria Maria / Ultimo Trem, as well as Native Dancer: Nascimento’s album with Wayne Shorter.



Explaining the inspiration behind two of the tracks on Banda Da Capital “Igreja Majestosa” (written with Nivaldo Ornelas) and “Os Cafezais sem fim”, Tiso remincies:



“On Sundays I used to watch the coffee plantation workers entering the church. I´d see them working all week, in their humble, dirty clothes. But I was always enchanted by their immaculate dress on Sundays. Taken from a line in a poem by my father, which became the hymn of the city of Três Pontas, the song “the majestic church and the endless coffee plantations ” became sacred for me, because it came from something joyful, from the workers.”

One of the album's most tender moments is a beautiful rendition of the post-tropicalista folk-rock classic “Sabado”, written by Fredera for Som Imaginiaro’s debut album. The lyrics are typical of the “desbunde”: those on the Brazilian left whose response to authoritarianism was a politics of pacifist, often psychedelic, non-conformity (similar to that of “dropping out” in the US)...



“Eu quero o céu e vou com guizos nos sapatos / Minha roupa em farrapos coloridos vou rasgar / E vou dançar entre os cristais azuis do tempo e esquecer”

“I want the sky and will go with bells on my shoes / I will tear my clothes into colourful rags / And I will dance among the blue crystals of time to forget”.

Jamil Joanes, best known as a member of Banda Black Rio, is another Minas Gerais native. His composition for the album is “Imaginados”, a stunning unplugged guitar and vocal performance, highlighting Som Imaginário’s south-eastern home state’s influence on their sound.

Brazilian soul, psych, bossa and jazz, reimagined from Berlin, via the Dead Sea, on Moriah Plaza"s dreamy first album for Batov Records: Moriah Plaza"s self-titled debut album is a major addition to the global soul and jazz scene. providing the perfect summer soundtrack for music lovers around the world.

Super heavy mix of descarga, salsa and boogaloo by accordion virtuoso Aníbal Velásquez, done in the "salsa con acordeón" style, featuring hot piano and timbales, yet played with a uniquely Colombian flavor.Recorded with fantastic production quality, this replica LP contains 8 hard-hitting dance floor bangers plus 2 bonus cuts including the 1972 version of 'Mambo loco', making this an essential addition to your Discos Fuentes collection.First time reissue. 180g LP.Aníbal "Sensación" Velásquez is one of Colombia's most innovative and prolific Costeño musicians, known as "El Mago del Acordeón" and "El Rey de La Guaracha". Velásquez grew up hearing Cuban music as well as the local rhythms of his region, and this led him to tinker with and transform the beats and melodies of the regional music encountered in his home city of Barranquilla during the 1950s and 60s.By 1960, after being a sideman in several groups, Velásquez formed his own conjunto with his elder brother Juan, a talented musician in his own right, and his younger sibling José."Aníbal Velásquez en tremenda salsa" is a perfect example of the musician's wanderlust and restless creative spirit. A pioneer of the adventuresome mixing of rhythms, genres and styles that was happening at the time in Barranquilla and the rest of coastal Colombia, in retrospect one can say that Velásquez was quite daring in combining the music and instrumentation of his native country with other Caribbean forms. In 1968, when he made this album, very few Colombians were attempting to record an accordion-led session of descarga, guaracha, boogaloo, guajira, guaguancó and mambo, and for that we should recognize Velásquez as a forerunner of various other records by Lisandro Meza y su Combo, Los Corraleros de Majagual, Los Caporales del Magdalena and Chico Cervantes y su Conjunto Internacional.The album kicks off with an intense and mesmerizing descarga featuring the guaguancó bass line, hot Cuban style piano and a heavy timbales solo, reminding one o...

First time vinyl reissue of this awesome 1978 Latin jazz-funk gem by Venezuelan guitarist Alex Rodríguez, featuring top musicians like Jorge Dalto, Nené Quintero and George Benson's band members Dennis Davis and Stanley Banks, among many others.Originally self-released and distributed in tiny quantities, "Búsqueda" has reached grail status among collectors worldwide. The album contains quite a few heaters for the dance floor, like 'El Mercado', and tight, keys and guitar punctuated fusion jams! (just check the groovy opener 'Cumana'.)Rodríguez is a classical and jazz trained guitarist who in the early days of his career joined some of the best orchestras in Venezuela, including Aldemaro Romero's Onda Nueva. He put together a brief project, La Retreta Mayor, in 1976 which only released one album and would later move to New York where he had the opportunity to record his own songs with renowned musicians of the city at that time, like Víctor Paz, Charlie Camalliari, Sam Burtis, Mario Bauza, Guillermo Edgil, Bernard Purdie, Jorge Dalto, among others.It took him a little more than a year writing the songs and preparing the material for "Busqueda" but in 1978 Alex Rodríguez would return to New York City. Jorge Dalto had spoken with Dennis Davis (drums), Stanley Banks (bass) who played together with George Benson, and Víctor Paz contacted Alex with Ronnie Cuber (saxes), an excellent saxophonist, who later recorded 'Cumana' on his own album "The Eleventh Day Of Aquarius".Before going to the recording studio they did a rehearsal to review the music, and the next day Dalto, Banks, Davis, Cuber and Alex Rodríguez were recording in the CBS studio on 52nd street in Manhattan.The production and mixing of the album were finished in Caracas, at Sono 2000 studios, with the participation of excellent Venezuelan musicians such as Nené Quintero, Lucio Caminiti, Edgar Saume, Carlos Acosta, Alberto Naranjo, Rolando Briceño, Leo and Frank Quintero, among others. The resulting album contains quite a few...