Sonido Amazonico!-Chicha Libre on Barbes Records

Splendid Corp. is proud to have designed the CD packaging for Chicha Libre’s debut album on Barbés Records:

Chicha Libre cover

I went to Chicha Libre’s record release party on Friday at Drom in the East Village. It was a great show and well attended. Chicha Libre are a Brooklyn band reviving the original Peruvian Chicha music, a hybrid of Cumbia from Columbia and the electronic instrumentation heard in American Psych Rock bands in the 60’s and 70’s with their electric guitars and farfisa organs. There is also a little french je ne sais quoi thrown in for good measure. The music is eclectic and fun, and is definitely made for dancing. My absolute favorite is their cover of Popcorn by Perry and Kingsley, a favorite song of mine that always makes me grin uncontrollably, hearing it perfectly done in chicha style; it’s infinitely danceable and hilarious at the same time.

Opening for them was another Barbés band, Las Rubias Del Norte, who charmed the crowd with their soothing feminine harmonies, languid guitar, and percussive rhythms providing a striking vintage sound. They perfectly create the feeling of being alone on a tropical beach as the sun beats down, with a perfectly mixed caipirinha and nothing to do but stare out at the beautiful waves and think of what once was and what could have been.

A night of Brooklyn Tropical had hit Manhattan.

More images from the inside. The Electravox—a key element to Chicha Libre’s sound:

Chicha Libre Inside Panel-Electravox

Interior panels-a tryptic (José Gregorio{patron saint of Barbés bar}, Amplifier in Cubbyhole, Credits Page with ‘tropical’ foliage from the Brooklyn Amazon)

Chicha Libre-interior panels

Chicha Libre and Las Rubias del Norte both play regularly at Barbés in Park Slope, Brooklyn, and I highly recommend you check them out in their native space. Chicha Libre plays every Monday night until infinity : www.barbes.com.

About this entry

Title: Sonido Amazonico!-Chicha Libre on Barbes Records

Published:
07.04.08
Category:
design, endorsement, music, news, reviews, splendid corp