Los Afroins A Gozar Salsomanos

By 1974, salsa was taking Colombia by storm and so the directors of the INS label decided to create a band that would appeal to salsa fanatics and be able to compete with labels such as Discos Fuentes and Codiscos. Thus was born Los Afroins, an obscure, short-lived combo that would release two LPs and six 45s.Their first album, "A gozar salsomanos", is a sought-after collector's item and contains ten brassy, heavy-duty salsa gems: covers of salsa hits by Ismael Rivera, Los Ahijados, Roberto De La Barrera, Cheo Marquetti and even the smash pop hit by the French modern classical and electronic music composer Saint-Preux (a great instrumental descarga version of `Concierto para una sola voz'). In addition, there are two originals that are equally hot. INS artistic director Alfredo Linares, the famed Peruvian keyboardist and composer, oversaw the project and guested on piano for several tracks, doing some arranging as well.Presented in facsimile artwork and pressed on 180g vinyl, part of a new Vampisoul reissue series of classic LPs from Colombia's INS label.By 1974, salsa was taking Colombia by storm and so the directors of the INS label (Industria Nacional Del Sonido Ltda), based in Medellín, Colombia, decided to create a band that would appeal to "salsómanos" (salsa fanatics) and be able to compete with the area's two larger labels, Discos Fuentes and Codiscos. Thus was born the oddly named Los Afroins (a contraction of Afro, indicating the roots of the music, and "-ins", for the label name), an obscure, short-lived combo that would release two albums and six 45s. The repertoire focused on cover versions of hit Afro-Antillean tunes both classic and contemporary. Pianist Agustín Martínez "El Conde", who would later work with Joe Arroyo and Juan Piña, led the group and did some arranging. INS artistic director Alfredo Linares "El Inca", the famed Peruvian keyboardist and composer, oversaw the project and guested on piano for several tracks, doing some arranging as well. The vocals were handled...