Travesía
Ni Un Minuto Más De Dolor

Elia and Elizabeth Fleta were two Colombian sisters who briefly lit up their country’s music charts in the early 70s before disappearing, disenfranchised with the music industry, to pursue respective careers in teaching. This retrospective, compiling tracks from the two LPs they produced alongside ace arranger Jimmy Salcedo, suggests that the Latin music world lost a major talent with the change in vocation. While the lyrics are shot through with a wide-eyed naivety (Mis 32 Dientes – My 32 Teeth – is a song inspired by the number of gnashers Elia had), there’s assured songwriting and a sophisticated ear for melody at work on the breezy, whimsical bossa-inspired pop of Alegria, Soy Una Nube and La Gran Ciudad. Additionally, the Gal Costa-esque screams on Ponte Bajo El Sol suggest that a more fiery brand of music may have been just around the corner. Alas, it was not to be, but this fine collection makes a worthy celebration of prodigious talents and may just be the Latin discovery of the year.

The 21 track selection curated by Trujillo, a Venezuelan producer, DJ and record collector based in Berlin, explores the forgotten corners of the 1980s and early 90s Spanish music scene. Veering through early bleep and hip house, electro, boogie, Iberian pop and much more, it has broad appeal to both Balearic heads and diggers alike. Serendipitously, the cover art for the compilation is an original work by Yves Uro, a figurehead of Ibiza’s party scene from the 70s and 80s and whose visionary poster artwork became representative of the white isle.While some of the artists or producers on the compilation went on to have notable careers, many of the tracks selected here represent “one-offs” for the artists, and on occasion the labels as well. These sometimes self-released, privately-pressed productions, on short-lived imprints with names like Cantos and Prismatic, document the nascent clubland communities - from the capital, to major cities to the north, and east, and also smaller locales, coastal towns such as Marbella, Gijón, and Cádiz.Ritmo Fantasía is the result of over a decade’s worth of record collecting by DJ Trujillo, searching out bespoke stores, markets, and dealers. For the first time ever, it brings to light and groups together some hidden gems from an era that without it, would likely remain hidden from view.

reissue of Jorge Ben's Bem-Vinda Amizade, originally released in 1981. Jorge Ben is someone who needs no introduction. Since his first hits in the '60s, this artist has become one of the greatest icons of Brazilian pop music. His anthems "Mais Que Nada" or "Pais Tropical" are probably two of the most ever-listened Brazilian songs of all time. After being involved in the Tropicalia movement and incorporating the influences of Afro-American funk into his repertoire, with the support of his backing band -- Trio Mocotó --, his very personal samba sound also opened up to the new musical trends coming from the States at the edge of the '70s. Boogie and disco music were making headway and soon became popular in the Brazilian market. Jorge Ben's albums recorded at the beginning of the '80s reflect this trend and deliver a good number of outstanding tunes. Bem-Vinda Amizade is one of those albums. Recorded in 1981, it is a solid album, start to finish. It comprises the usual samba funk numbers, so characteristic of Jorge Ben, with killer boogie and disco tracks ("Oé Oé (Faz O Carro De Boi Na Estrada)", "Ela Mora Em..."). And it also contains downtempo soulful slow burners like "Lorraine" or "Katarina, Katarina", funky as hell! An essential addition to any Brazilian music collection.