Los Machucambos
Los Machucambos is a Paris-based Latin music act formed in the city’s Latin Quarter in 1959. Well-versed in a whole host of popular Latin genres such as cha-cha-cha, mariachi, bossa nova, and even Andean folklore, the group went through numerous lineup changes throughout its history, but initially consisted of Spanish guitarist Rafael Gayoso, Costa Rican singer Julia Cortés (the daughter of former president León Cortés Castro), and a second guitarist from Peru named Milton Zapata. They began performing in the late 50s as Los Acapulcos and changed their name to Los Machucambos (taken from an indigenous Andean term for ‘armadillo’) after Julia Cortés joined the band. In 1960, the trio gained nationwide popularity thanks to their rendition of the Mexican classic “La Bamba,” but it was 1961’s “Pepito” that finally propelled them to international stardom. During that time, Milton Zapata quit the group and was later replaced by Italian guitarist Romano Zanotti. Over the course of the next few decades, Los Machucambos continued their exploration of the Latin American songbook, often incorporating traditional instruments such as charango, kena, and the Andean harp. Following Julia Cortés’ departure in 1972 due to a serious illness, the group recruited several female vocalists until settling with Chilean singer Mariana Montalvo, who accompanied the group until 2005. Prior to that, all of the group’s original members reunited in 2004 to record the album Como Antes, followed by a legendary live concert in Costa Rica. In the subsequent years, the group suffered significant losses after the passing of Julia Cortés in 2008 and Rafael Gayoso in 2015.
©Copyright Music Story Evelyn Duskey 2023
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La Bamba / Duerme Negrito (Mono Version)
Pop - Released by BNF Collection on 1 Jan 1959
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
The Girl From Ipanema
World - Released by Sixty Style Records on 26 May 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Manana
World - Released by Nostalgia Gold Records on 29 Apr 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Vuelve Junto a Mí
World - Released by Frémeaux & associés on 29 Aug 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Vintage World No. 162 - EP: ¡Ay Pepito!
Latin America - Released by Vintage Music on 11 Feb 1960
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Los Machucambos Sus Primeros Éxitos
Latin America - Released by OK Records on 16 Dec 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Granada / Perfidia (Mono Version)
Pop - Released by BNF Collection on 1 Jan 1962
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
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La Parranda
World - Released by Music Today Records on 17 Mar 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Cha Cha Chas (Mono Version)
World - Released by BNF Collection on 1 Jan 1962
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Duerme Negrito (Mono Version)
World - Released by BNF Collection on 1 Jan 1960
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Cuando Calienta el Sol (Mono Version)
World - Released by BNF Collection on 1 Jan 1962
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Granada (Mono Version)
World - Released by BNF Collection on 1 Jan 1962
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
La Cucaracha (Mono Version)
World - Released by BNF Collection on 1 Jan 1961
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
No. 2 (Mono version)
World - Released by BNF Collection on 1 Jan 1961
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Dansez avec les Machucambos, Vol. 2 (Stereo Version)
Pop - Released by BNF Collection on 1 Jan 1963
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Extraño / Asi Te Presenti
Latin America - Released by All Around The World on 26 Jun 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Complete Dansez Avec Los Machucambos (All Tracks Remastered 2022)
World - Released by jjjedizionimusicali on 8 Dec 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo