Following the release of last year’s incredible Color de Trópico compilation (which made the list of BeatCaffeine’s “Favorite Compilations of 2020“), the Barcelona-based label El Palmas Music returns with the highly-anticipated second volume of the series, further shining a light on some of the most obscure gems out of Venezuela during the sixties and seventies.

Compiled by DJ El Palmas and El Dragón Criollo, this eight-track recording continues to document an important time musically in the country based on monumental changes in the economy and government policies, and the desire of artists in this region to form their own unique identity after years of dictatorship. Through the increase of immigration from Colombia, the Caribbean, Europe, and North America, as well as an increase of Venezuelans traveling to the states, especially New York and Miami, musicians became exposed to more sounds and influences, and began to fuse together a wide range of global influences and styles, with the hope to create a more “modern” identity.

This compilation brilliantly captures some of greatest music to come out of this period, with superb selections that blend together elements of jazz, rock, salsa, funk, psych, reggae, samba, disco and beyond with the region’s more traditionally-rooted sounds like guajira, cumbia, cha-cha-cha, and joropo. Regardless of style, most of the tracks also have a warm funky tropical dance floor vibe.

Truly great from start to finish, El Palmas Music has once again put together an essential and must-own collection highlighting this fruitful period of Venezuelan music. Mark it down, this is definitely one of the best releases of the year!

As a HUGE baseball fan, I also have to shoutout the fantastic album artwork — well done!

Various — ‘Color De Trópico Vol. 2’
(El Palmas Music)

1. Los Kings – Empecemos (Let´s Start)
2. Las Cuatro Monedas – Buena Suerte
3. Nelson y Sus Estrellas – María La Bella
4. Mario y Sus Diamantes – Santo Domingo
5. Orquesta La Playa – Negro Soy
6. Anselmo y Su Conjunto – Seis Pajueliao
7. La Retreta Mayor – Líquido Elemento
8. Grupo Almendra – Tutti Frutti

BUY RECORD

• Compilation
• Latin