Curro Fuentes & The Big Band - Cartagena! Cumbia and Descarga Sound of Colombia 1962–72

(Soundway)

This fabulous record beams you right into the 1960s Colombian coastal scene courtesy of Curro Fuentes, son of the family owners of the pioneering Discos Fuentes recording company. One summer Curro formed a supergroup-styled orchestra creating stunning music that wraps you up with its vibrant saxes, clarinets, brass, vamping piano, layered percussion and witty, gloriously raucous choruses.

This one time ‘low life’ dance music gone ‘high class’ big band jazz oozes pleasure. The album and its packaging (including a great story booklet) consolidate Soundway as the new quality reissue label to follow.