Publicidad original de Discos Fuentes publicada en El Tiempo, 27 de octubre de 1949
Vampisoul, the top Spanish label, has found more great material from Discos Fuentes' vaults. Colombia was one of the hotbeds of salsa in the 70s and 80s and in addition to many great bands turning out album after album there was no shortage of 45s, sometimes one-shots from bands who got a hit on the radio, or in jukeboxes. And as you know, sometimes hit 45s never make it to album compilations. Either the band is saving it for a later, greatest hits compilation or they have too much good material in hand, and assume the fans have the 45 too. Mexican DJs particularly coveted these gems and dropped them into their sets, helping spread the gospel of cumbia, salsa and son montuno throughout the Caribbean. Cali street life is the center of attention for groups like the Latin Brothers or Fruko y sus Tesos, and the title cut leads us off into those wild picturesque streets. It's Super Combo "Los Famosos," who, despite their name, are pretty obscure today. La Protesta de Colombia is another forgotten band but from their ranks came young Joe Arroyo. "Hecho y derecho (fact and rights)" is also a protest song, we imagine. But the aim here is to get you moving, not marching against perceived wrongs. With all that marching we'd be too tired to dance. "Sal y agua" by Sonora Guantanamera, in addition to a driving cowbell, thundering horns and punchy piano, has a singer highly reminiscent of Celia Cruz. Some bona fide big names appear to pack side B: The Latin Brothers, Piper Díaz and Fruko. The recording is crystal clear: piano rocking out in the left channel with timbales and other percussion in the right, while the horns get you right in the face. -Muzikifan
Super Combo ''Los Famosos'' – El Bailador De La Esquina 7'' 1974
Lead Vocals – Carlos Reina
During the golden age of vinyl—from the 1960s through the 1980s—Colombia produced an astonishing number of 45 rpm records—many of them not tied to full albums, that continue to surprise collectors and music lovers today. This abundance can be attributed to many factors: affordability, jukebox demand, radio promotion, or simply the joy of sharing a small musical token with a loved one. Whatever the reason, these little records traveled far and wide, sometimes ending up in distant countries —especially Mexico—, carried by DJs, collectors, or pirate radio waves. They became cultural passports, spreading salsa, cumbia, son montuno, and more.
This curated collection highlights hard-to-find salsa 45s from the Discos Fuentes vaults—deep cuts that have long flown under the radar but still light up dance floors today. These tracks, once pressed in small numbers, feature top tier musicianship, fiery brass, unforgettable grooves, and lyrical gems that reflect the rich diversity of Colombia’s musical landscape. Among the featured artists are: Super Combo “Los Famosos” with their irresistible barrio anthem ‘El Bailador de la esquina’, capturing the spirit of Cali’s street life, Sexteto Manaure, delivering a poignant son that blends regional pride with poetic nostalgia, La Protesta de Colombia, a revolutionary Barranquilla outfit that gave a young Joe Arroyo his early spotlight and channeled the rebellious pulse of the times. This compilation also includes a range of studio experiments and covers—where artists like Piper Pimienta, Galileo y Su Banda, and La Integración reimagined beloved hits, from boleros to vallenatos, through a distinctly Colombian salsa lens. Every track tells a story—of artistic ambition, social change, regional identity, or simple joy. Some were attempts at hits, others personal expressions or studio curiosities. What they share is an authenticity that continues to resonate. These obscure gems, long scattered across dusty crates and forgotten jukeboxes, now find new life. They speak not just to the past, but to a timeless rhythm that still moves dancers and dreamers alike. -Vampisoul
El bailador de la esquina (Salsa dura from Discos Fuentes vaults, 1974-1985)
Label: Vampisoul
Format: Compilation
Country: Spain
Released: 2025
Style: Latin, Salsa
Source: Digital
1. Super Combo Los Famosos - El Bailador De La Esquina 4:58
2. Sexteto Manaure - Bajo El Trupillo Guajiro 2:48
3. La Protesta De Colombia - El Campesino 3:03
4. Sonora Guantanamera - Sal Y Agua 4:31
5. Orquesta Salsa Panamericana - El Fantasma Salsero 4:18
6. La Integracin - Hecho Y Derecho 2:50
7. Galileo Y Su Banda - No Me Conviene Tu Amor 4:22
8. The Latin Brothers - Llorars 3:44
9. Piper Pimienta Y Su Orquesta - El Sufrido 3:46
10. Fruko Y Sus Tesos - Soy Tu Dueño 5:34
