Peru Maravilloso (Tiger’s Milk, 2013)
This compilation takes the listener to 1960s and 1970s Peru, to a time when traditional tropical music was combined with electric guitars, 1960s pop (including the Beatles), and 1970s rock, soul, Andean music and psychedelia, generating a distinct hybrid sound. Although Peru has its own Afro-Peruvian music, most of the tropical influences found on this recording come from the Spanish-speaking Caribbean (primarily Cuba), early salsa from the USA and cumbia from nearby Colombia.
Mambo and later salsa were big at the time and Peruvian musicians followed similar musical paths as musicians in other countries. Although some of the tracks highlight the sound of brass, this compilation is really about the electric guitars. I’m not a big fan of chicha and pre-Hendrix 60s guitar, but if you are a music aficionado who is into the 1960s and early 70s retro guitar sound, you will certainly enjoy this album.
The compilation was put together by Duncan Ballantyne (UK), Martin Morales (UK/Peru) and Andres Tapia (Peru) for Tiger’s Milk Records, which is part of Ceviche, a Peruvian restaurant in London.
The compilation features well-known artists from the era such as Lucho Neves and Felix Martinez y su Chavales. Highlights include the protosalsa ‘Sueño de Amor’ by Zulu with its timeless sound that has aged well; and the slow cadence cumbia ‘El Chacarero’ by Los Gatos Blancos.
Track listing:
01. Lucho Neves y su Orquesta – “Macho de Machaguay”
02. Chango y su Conjunto – “Salsa 73″
03. Juaneco y su Combo – “La Cumbia del Pacurro”
04. Los Zheros – “Para Chachita”
05. Pedro Miguel y sus Maracaibos – “Piraña”
06. Paco Zambrano y su Combo – “Meshkalina”
07. Los Gatos Blancos – “El Chacarero”
08. Zulu – “Sueño de Amor”
09. Los Orientales – “Bailando en La Campiña”
10. John Benny y Los Ribereños – “Trinan Las Golondrinas”
11. Los Ecos – “Me Siento Feliz”
12. Lucia Cruz – “Toro Mata”
13. Manzanita y su Conjunto – “El Zambito Rumbero”
14. Félix Martinez y sus Chavales – “La Gallina”
15. Aniceto y sus Fabulosos – “Los Fabulosos en Onda”
16. *Los Zheros – “Descarga De Los Zheros” (on vinyl only)
Buy Peru Maravilloso in North America
Buy Peru Maravilloso in Europe
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
