A steady-thumping, non-stop mixtape of choice Colombian cumbias from the Domino Sound camp. At least, that's what my spidey-sense is telling me. Nowhere on the packaging does it actually say that, but the screen printed cover and expert selection have left me feeling assured that I'm fully-correct. Hot stuff. Recommended listening for you like-minded mixtape revival types.
If you've been digging on some classic cumbia lately, it'd be wise to get started with legendary Colombian accordionist Andres Landero, aka "King of the Cumbia". There's surprisingly little Landero bio material on the www, especially not en Ingles, but there is a fairly interesting thesis on him by Bardo Martinez, called Andres Landero and Resistance to the Commercializaton of Colombian Music posted at Listen Recovery*. For my money, I'd wager that Manu Chao has spent his solo career taking vocal cues directly from this guy.
*Also lifted that image above from Listen Recovery. Figured it'd make better artwork than what comes with the original cd.
"Una serie de melodias de origen sudaamericano, son las que LITO BARRIENTOS Y SU ORQESTA nos presentan en un disco con musica variada, que lo mismo puede ser escuchada en la tranquilidad del hogar, que como ingrediente de sus fiestas familiares. Con la seguridad de que en cualquiera de los casos quedara Usted satisfecho y convencido de la calidad de LITO BARRIENTOS Y SU ORQUESTA.
La diversidad de temas, dan lugar a poder satisfacer los gustos mas exigentes y opuestos, con selecciones de todo tipo, como: VERY VERY WELL, CARACOL, CHARANGA PA'GOZAR, EL NEGRITO TEPETUZA y todo el variado reportorio que completa este disco." (From the LP cover)
Basically, If you've even the slightest interest in classic cumbia, then you're already well acquainted with "Cumbia en do Menor" by Rafael "Lito" Barrientos. This record is hot stuff. 320 vinyl rip by yours truly.
1. Caracol 2. Ya Vo Toño 3. Rubielo 4. Cumbia en do Menor 5. Charanga Pa' Gozar 6. Kijis Konar 7. Mosaico: A Tu Vera / La India Motilano / Very Very Well / Despeinada / Festival en Guarare / La Mafafa / La Sampa' / Negrito Tepetuza
Cumbias, Porros, Gaitas, Boleros! Lucho Bermúdez was a heavyweight Colombian clarinetist and bandleader. His legendary Orquesta worked in hotels, clubs, festivals, radio- basically everywhere- playing nearly any folk or popular dance style one might've found in mid-20th century Colombia.
Guest post courtesy of my pal, Emma C:
"If you ever jammed out hard to Cumbia en Do Menor, you'll probably dig this stuff too. There's some quality ululation and wailing clarinet. This came from a friend of mine from the Colombian Chocó and I'll likely be asking him for some pacific marimba stuff soon."
Increíble cumbias colombianas clásico y más de Climaco Sarmiento y Su Orchestra! Publicado en el sello discográfico Discos Fuentes.Tiempo bailando! Disfrutar...
1. Antioqueñita.
2. Baila Pacho.
3. Bombo Y Maracas.
4. Caracoleando.
5. Conchita.
6. El Tirabuzon.
7. El Zuñigazo.
8. Juanchito.
9. La Cigarra.
10. La Gaita Marciana.
11. La Pata Y El Pato.
12. La Tembladera.
13. Maquina Landera.
14. Moliendo Cafe.
15. Negro No Te Vayas.
16. Noche De Estrellas.
17. Palenque Candela.
18. San Marcos
I have a real thing for Cumbia. As an english-only gringo, however, I'm at a disadvantage having to navigate such an expansive and daunting genre en espanol. Thankfully, there've been a number of great recent stateside releases of classic cumbia to at least tide me over until I learn a thing or two about who's who in that world. Barbes Records has put out a couple of good ones; The Roots of Chicha compilation and their Juaneco y Su Combo- Masters of Chicha Vol.1, both focusing Peruvian psychedelic cumbia. I can also recommend A Orillas del Magdelena, vinyl-only compilation of Columbian Disco Fuentes tracks recently put out by Domino Sound (which is loosely affiliated with Mississippi Records, I believe.) If you like what you're hearing, I highly encourage you to buy these albums. Because Orillas is a vinyl only release, I have posted a Mediafire Download link to that one for those in search of its mp3s. I also have one more thing to offer. The as of yet unreissued El Gran Cacique LP by the ever-fantastic Juaneco y Su Combo. Enjoy.
A Orillas Del Magdalena is a fine selection of classic cumbias from Columbia's Disco Fuentes record label. Lots of fun! Carlos Roman y Su Conjunto- "Cumbia Negra"
