¡Gózalo! Bugalú Tropical Vol 4

Some four years after the first volume of Vampisoul’s admirable series was released, here comes Volume 4 to disavow us of any residual notion that Peruvian music is synonymous only with ponchos and panpipes. Concerns that a fourth volume might be scraping a barrel of fairly modest dimensions are quickly dispelled. These 28 snappy helpings of bold-as-brass Latin dance music offer more rare booty. ‘Alta Fidelidad’ proclaims the album cover: the sound quality befits the high fidelity with which the bands of local stars like Lucho Macedo, Mario Allison and the splendidly named Carlos Pickling render the music of Cuba, Puerto Rica and New York, which captivated Peru in the 1950s and 60s.

The upshot is an infectious mishmash of stylistic influences. The boogaloo is much in evidence: tracks like Alfred Linares’ ‘Descarga’ and Joe di Roma’s raucous ‘Boogaloo Boogaloo’ could have come straight off the Fania assembly line. Mario Allison’s delicious ‘Cumbayea’ is like a meeting of Ray Barretto and Perez Prado. Clones of Beny Moré, Cachao and Celia Cruz make an appearance, while pretenders to Tito Puente’s crown are frequently to be heard.

You could argue whether a good copy can ever be more than just a good copy, but so many cross-cultural ingredients tossed into the mix make for a fascinating and rewarding result.