Just wanted to plug my latest Latin mix, which the cool folks at Soul Bonanza are hosting for me. The mix, entitled “Me Gusta Como Bailas”, is a combination of my favorite styles of Latin music all in one: Pachanga, Cumbia, Descarga, Funk, Salsa, etc from places like California, Ethiopia, Colombia and Cuba! Make sure to check back to their site for the best in Tropical sounds from Latin America, the Caribbean & Africa.
Click here to listen to the mix!
Yo yo. Just did a guest post for my homie Joseph Franko’s blog, Super Sonido, featuring some of the finest Latin Funk ever recorded! Franko is putting up a 45 (or three) each day during the full month of February, so make sure to tune in every day! Los Vampiros!
Coming straight out of the laid-back Central Valley, California town of Stockton come Los Vampiros, one of the tightest Latin bands in the area during the early and mid 1970′s. Fronted by the charismatic Enrique Olivarez, Los Vampiros played smoking hot cumbias and rancheras to lively crowds around California and even enjoyed modest success in Mexico. They released only two LP’s and a handful of 45′s on their own custom / private label called Discos Vampiros (Enrique’s son Tommy drew the vampire bat and text of the label’s unique logo).
In addition to their love for the Rancheras and Cumbias popularized in Mexico and that were at that point sweeping across hispanic areas of the USA, Los Vampiros also crafted their own brand of heavy Latin Funk. On this their first album, entitled Para Ti (For You), two tracks immediately jump out as winners for us funk and soul fans.
“Communicate” is a classy organ and horn-led slow funk track with a timely social message to help out your fellow brethren in need. But with “Arriba Tipo,” Los Vampiros pick up the pace and unleash a short but potent Latin Funk instrumental that allows the band to showcase their superb musical talents. There’s even a timbale solo in there!
Prized by collectors around the world, this is one of the finest Latin Funk efforts from anywhere in the West Coast during the time. Enjoy!
Taken from the Para Ti LP (Discos Vampiros, 1972, Stockton, CA)
The first mix that I’ve done for my own site (I know, I know), Dame El Rock is the first installment in what will surely be a continuing series that seeks to expose some of Latin America’s forgotten rock hard gems. At times funky, psychedelic and soulful, this collection of tracks starts off heavy, but soon mellows out until finally culminating in one of my favorite songs of all time: Cofradia‘s rare “Tu Carino”!
Los Rodyn’s: “Cafe” (El Salvador)
Ray Camacho: “Damelo” (California)
People: “Picadillo” (Texas)
Via Libre: “Tiuba La Quieba” (El Salvador)
Challenger’s: “Emily” (Puerto Rico)
La Logia Sarabanda: “Cajon De Castanas” (Peru)
Los Zheros: “Cuarto Oscuro” (Peru)
Totem: “Caspita” (Uruguay)
Rulie Garcia: “Earthquake” (California)
Los Orientales: “La Danza Del Mono” (Peru by way of Colombia)
Cofradia: “Tu Carino” (Panama)
For our next installment in the Guest Post Series, San Jose-based DJ/Collector Age unleashes a massive mix of eccentric Latin cuts teaming with SABOR.
-Slim
El Fantasmas Espejo mix (Part 1 of 2)
A Collection of Various Latin Records from all over.
(Balada,Salsa,Rock,Psych,Chicano Anthems,etc)
**Note: These were all donations from a former radio station dj at K*** FM
(And out of respect and his request, will remain Anonymous)
All records were part of this large collection that I was given (with the exception of “Carlos Ramos & His Orq Fuego” which just seemed appropriate to have as the last track). This is Part 1 of 2, so please enjoy and stay tuned for the next one!
Peace,
Adrian (age-snufone)
