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LP
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SOMM 069LP
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Also known as Música Caliente (Hot Music) and Wild Safari, this is the first album, released in 1972, by Barrabás, the acclaimed Spanish band created by Fernando Arbex after the demise of Brincos and Alacrán. A funk-rock/Latin/Afro bomb, loaded with worldwide hits like "Wild Safari" or "Woman". First ever reissue with original artwork. Barrabás was created by Spanish genius drummer, songwriter and producer Fernando Arbex after the split of his post-Brincos power-trio Alacrán. Busy with his productions and as songwriter for many artists, Fernando still had in mind the desire of international success. Highly influenced by the beginnings of funk music and the Latin-rock of groups such as Santana (influences that were also already present on Alacrán), Arbex formed Barrabás along with his Brincos bandmates Miguel & Ricky Morales on guitars, ace keyboard player Joao Antonio Vidal (from Madrid based psych band Los Grimm), Afro-Cuban percussionist and multi-instrumentalist Ernesto "Tito" Duarte and Iñaki Egaña (Los Buenos, Alacrán) on vocals/bass. The name of Barrabás came after Fernando watched the movie of the same name by Richard Fleischer. In 1971, the band entered RCA Studios in Madrid for the recording of their first album, sung completely in English. The result was a fabulous mix of funk, Latin music, rock and afro sounds, housed in a striking cover designed by famous Spanish singer-songwriter Luis Eduardo Aute. Songs like "Wild Safari" or "Woman" took the international dancefloors by storm, even reaching the first positions in the US black music charts, being championed by legendary DJs like David Mancuso (The Loft). The album also contained surprises like the mid-tempo "Cheer Up" or the Canned Heat sounding boogie rock of "Rock and Roll Everybody". A groundbreaking debut album, essential to understand the roots of Spanish funk-rock, reissued for the first time on vinyl faithful to the original one. Heavy cardboard cover with obi and four-panel color insert with detailed liner notes in English/Spanish and photos. Remastered sound. RIYL: Santana, Osibisa, Malo, Mandrill.
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LP
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SOMM 070LP
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Power was the second Barrabás album, originally released in 1973. First ever vinyl reissue in original gatefold cover artwork design. As well as their first album, this is another great example of funk-rock, but this time with glam, hard and psych touches, including some of their most celebrated songs: "Casanova", "The Horse", "Children". After reaching international success with their first album, the line-up of Barrabás experienced some major changes: Fernando Arbex, more and more involved as songwriter and producer for other artists, leaves the drum kit, being replaced by drummer José María Moll (from Juan & Junior's backing band). From now on, Fernando will focus on songwriting and production duties for Barrabás. Also, due to an accident, bass player/lead singer Iñaki Egaña is forced to leave the band. A new powerful singer is found: José Luis Tejada (from Los No, a legendary beat band from Barcelona). And finally original guitar player Miguel Morales switched to bass. For the album recording, Arbex decided to use the same studio where they recorded the first Barrabás album: RCA in Madrid. J. Cobos was again the sound engineer and Fernando was the producer and main songwriter. Power was the result, released in 1973 housed in a glam-tastic gatefold sleeve. Highlights are "Mr. Money" (pure funk-rock which entered the US charts); the atmospheric "The Horse", the psych-funk of "Time To Love" or the catchy "Children", which was a big hit in South America, especially in Venezuela. Remastered sound. Four-panel color insert with detailed liner notes in English/Spanish and photos.
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LP
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SOMM 071LP
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¡Soltad a Barrabás! (Release Barrabás!) was the third album by the famous Spanish funk-rock band. Recorded in the US and originally released in 1974, housed in a shocking gatefold cover, this time the sound was 100% funk oriented and included big hits like "Hi-Jack", covered by Herbie Mann. First ever vinyl reissue in original gatefold cover artwork design. After reaching worldwide success with their previous two albums and a lengthy South America tour, Fernando Arbex went even further with Barrabás: he wanted to register their third album in the US. So, he managed to book MGM studios in Hollywood and the band spent a month in L.A. Fernando encouraged all the other Barrabás members to write songs for the planned album. The result was a fantastic pro-sounding recording (thanks to the work of sound engineer Humberto Gatica), where the band nearly dropped their previous Latin influences to concentrate on funk and Black music. "Hi-Jack" rocketed to number one in the Billboard and Black music charts in the US and soon after Herbie Mann released his famous jazzy cover. The album also included other ace tracks like "Tell Me The Thing" -- much in the vein of Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears, "Suzie Wong", "Lady Love". Remastered sound. Four-panel color insert with detailed liner notes in English/Spanish and photos.
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12"
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GET 12009EP
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"When there's rhythm people will move, and moving people was the fate for these two songs from Spanish Supergroup Barrabas. Originally released in 1972 on RCA Spain, 'Wild Safari' and 'Woman' would become underground hits among New York City disc jockeys at time when Discotheques preceded disco music. Over the years It has been well documented that the music from the Iberian Rockers and in particular their song 'Woman' found a home in both Nicky Siano's Gallery and in David Mancuso's Legendary Loft around 1973. Curiously but perhaps not surprising, a few years later 'Woman' would also become a breaker's anthem in a nascent hip-hop scene, where having obscure or 'ultimate' breaks would separate a Grandmaster from the rest of the flock. The story behind Barrabas is quite peculiar as well. With members from various Latin countries (Cuba, Philipines, Portugal and Spain), the band led by Fernando Arbex were accidental pioneers in a sense, blending Latin, African, and American influences into a package destined to move people across the globe. With a successful debut album, Barrabas was one of the first international groups to leave its mark on the disco circuit with these two hit singles. 'Woman' and 'Wild Safari' charted well in various countries across Europe and the Americas, including the USA and Canada. Although the group never followed up the success of their first LP, the legacy of tracks like 'Woman' and 'Wild Safari' is treasured by the DJs who have studied the histories of clubs like the Paradise Garage and The Loft. It's really not surprising to find a decade later in the 80s, 'High Energy' and 'Freestyle' covers of 'Woman' or the groove sampled into a House Music beat even to this day. There was indeed something about that Woman. Recently, HBO's show Vinyl paid homage to 'Wild Safari' in a scene that more than symbolically depicted the birth of the disco era as we would come to know it."
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