Whilst I’d not originally set out to find songs from the far reaches of the globe more recently, it just seems to have worked out that way and these South American sounds seem to be infiltrating my radar more frequently as of late..which of course I’m totally happy with!
Traffic Sound were a Peruvian rock band founded in 1967 by vocalist/percussionist Manuel Sanguinetti, rhythm/bass guitarist Freddy Rizo-Patrón, sax/clarinet/flute & percussion player Jean Pierre Magnet, lead/rhythm guitarist Willy “Wilito” Barclay, bassist/organist/piano/12-string guitarist Willy Thorne and drummer Luis “Lucho” Nevares. Their title was literally named after a particular traffic light that the band had acquired, one that was placed as a souvenir in the attic of the Rizo-Patróns house where they held their practices after a wild night in Lima!
In January 1970, Traffic Sound’s first album, Virgin was released and was to be the first Peruvian rock album with 100% original tunes. The record proved to be a success on many levels and was largely revered because all of the featured songs were all written by the band themselves, their sound defined by a uniqueness which proved to be very pioneering for the time and, although influenced by bands like the Animals, Iron Butterfly, Jimi Hendrix Experience and Pink Floyd, they always added their own original touches and created something new.
Jews Caboose features on their debut and, defined by its heavy-riff laden melody and gruff vocals, tips a huge nod to Iron Butterfly…this is a fine chunk of heavy, hippy, acid psych prog-rock goodness! Check it out above.
Spanish label, Munster Records reissued Virgin from the original master tapes, releasing it a couple of years ago. Find this here.
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