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LP
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VAMPI 278LP
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This LP introduces the Peruvian-Cuban singer and composer Króffer Jiménez, leader of Poppy y sus Pirañas, who recorded Quiero... in 1969 for MAG. The group prepared the album, consisting of twelve songs specially created for the record: ten original compositions and two cover versions. Quintets such as Compay Quinto, Pedro Miguel y sus Maracaibos, and Los Totos were the stars of the Peruvian tropical scene at that time, winning over listeners with their powerful rhythm section and fast-paced melodies. In contrast, the dozen guarachas and cumbias on Quiero... are slower and more relaxed, where the elegant intonation displays Króffer's Cuban roots, with the Pirañas contributing during the more festive moments. The cumbia "Mala mujer" and the guarachas "Amar en el mar" and "El sortilegio" were ahead of their time, as the singing style adopted would only become fashionable from 1971 onwards. There are also much more rhythmic tracks such as "Fiesta en el callejón", "La tamalera", "Ritmo en furor", and "Quiero", which include folkloric references and touches of humor, as a foretaste of the direction Króffer would take in his future work. Two cover versions round off the album: "Elvira no se vira", from the late '50s repertoire of Cuba's Los Guaracheros del Oriente; and "La plañidera", a poetic ballad describing the role of women who specialize in crying at funerals. Although other songs from these sessions came out as singles, MAG did not release this LP until 1972, when Dinsa was beginning to have hits with Poppy y sus Pirañas, whose line-up included a number of top musicians from the tropical world. Perhaps this period of applause and awards on another label, contributed to the fact that MAG's Quiero... went almost unnoticed in 1972. An oversight that we hope to begin to remedy with this first reissue of the LP. 180 gram vinyl.
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