El Clan Antillano

A lurid cover, featuring decor worthy of a dream sequence from David Lynch’s Twin Peaks, is not the only distinguishing feature of Vampisoul’s latest golden-era Colombian reissue. El Clan Antillano might have been short-lived – founded in 1975, they packed it in after two albums in 1977 – but they certainly knew how to mash-up their genres and cook up a tasty stew. The creation of the two hombres featured on the cover of this album, singer Jacky Carazo and Mike Char, a radio personality cum composer with a penchant for re-purposing foreign songs, the clan was supposedly ‘comprised mostly of Fruko Y Sus Tesos band members.’

This, their first album, has been enhanced with three bonus tracks taken from two rare 45rpm singles. Labelled ‘heavy Colombian salsa’ by the publicity, it’s the kind of Indigenous porro and cumbia flavours heard, for example, on the opening ‘Donde ’sta? Donde ’sta?’ and the following ‘El Baile del Ratón’ that give this salsa blend its distinctive local kick.

Puerto Rican rhythms feature on the terrific ‘En la Oscuridad’ and the Cortijo-associated ‘El Negro Bembón’. Other highlights include a sparkling version of Eddie Palmieri’s ‘Mi Cumbia’ and the sought-after bonus single ‘Alma’.