I’ve searched far and wide for the most interesting stuff on wax, and this has to be one of my favorite recent discoveries. After several searches on every possible corner of the internet, the only place I’ve found this record is when someone’s selling it on eBay because of its “cheesecake” cover that looks like Penelope Cruz from the 1960’s. The artist isn’t listed in Allmusic.com and as far as I know, the record hasn’t been released on CD anywhere. Ladies and Gentlemen, I bring you Pancho Purcell and his Bambuco Players!

The back of the record describes the music as such (note the heavy-use of 60’s marketing phrases):

“Bambuco Moves In” - The exciting new Pop-Latin Sound of Pancho Purcell and His Bambuco Players

BAMBUCO, The Exciting New Pop-Latin Sound, is wild and primitive! It can be soft and tranquil, it can be fast and frenetic. It is always spontaneous and dynamic. When you hear BAMBUCO you must move - dance, or beat out the rhythm with your toes, fingertips or hips. Indifference is impossible!

Born in the Andes of South America, the BAMBUCO pulsebeat surges in distinctive and overwhelming waves of sound. Its influence is Afro-Indian, its basic rhythm is tribal, and its intensity is ritualistic, pagan and voluptuous. Although undisciplined, when BAMBUCO’s hard driving sounds are combined with the more sophisticated music of Latin America, Nashville or Anytown, U.S.A., a rhythmic and melodic blend emerges: subtle on one level, barbaric and frenetic on the other.

In this unique album, you’ll hear Pancho Purcell and his Bambuco Players transform today’s hits like Rainy Day Women #12 & #35, The Shadow Of Your Smile and Michelle into the BAMBUCO sound - a fantastic experience.

A new beat, an exciting rhythm, a new synthesis of the tribal and the sophisticated. BAMBUCO, The Exciting New Pop-Latin Sound, is here to stay!

After a few listens, its not bad. Its definitely some sort of musical foray for the bachelor pad record buyer. The cover’s obviously a given for sales, but the music itself is mostly cover songs. Its as if Columbia Records wanted to introduce the music to America with cover songs of popular hits first, then if the record sold well, we’d hear more original stuff. Alas, I’ve seen no sequel and this is all we have from Pancho’s offering.

Please enjoy these fine songs for your aural pleasure and remember, Indifference is impossible!

Bambuco on Wikipedia