Venezuela's Hottest Party Band to Play London 7 Feb

LAI playing 'Mentiras' live in Buenos Aires

London is bracing for a Venezuelan invasion as the hottest Latin-party band in the universe, Los Amigos Invisibles, prepares to rock the UK capital to its ultra-funk foundations with a single live show at the Garage on Friday 7 February.

Tickets priced £25 are on sale through Latino Life but don't hang about as they're selling faster than hot buttered arepas.

To get a taste of the full Amigos experience, here's a video of the track 'Mentiras' from an LAI gig in Argentina in 2010 where the boys blew the place apart with a trawl through their back catalogue.

Summer sounds don't come any fresher, funkier or funnier than the band's upbeat Latin grooves and music lovers can expect the Venezuelan party boys to shine a ray of South American sunshine over a grey, wet London in Islington on Friday.

It should be a very special gig as the UK is like a musical Mecca for Los Amigos Invisbles. Growing up in the Caribbean, in a country awash with merengue and salsa, the boys swam against the tide and immersed themselves in US rare grooves and music from the British acid-jazz scene.

Playing pool parties for their pals, they quickly learnt how to blend the sounds of early Santana, the Fania Allstars and 70s disco with 80s electronica and house music to create sexed-up songs with irresistible sing-along choruses.

Few other bands have the ability to tease Latin-lover dance moves from an audience, and even the stiffest British wallflower will find it hard to stay still when the music starts.

It's been seven years since LAI played a gig in the UK but luckily for us their latest album "Repeat After Me", has been a big hit, prompting a massive tour to bring what the Invisible Friends call la gozadera (the party fun) to their full panas (best mates) in Europe.

The boys have certainly been busy of late, picking up a Latin Grammy Award for Best Alternative Album for the CD "Comercial" and releasing a movie called "La Casa del Ritmo" to celebrate their 20 years of making great music.

Starting out as an indie-underground group playing acid-jazz-inspired funk and boogaloo for a Caracas in-crowd, the six members of Amigos Invisibles were catapulted to international stardom when ex-Talking Head Davis Byrne signed them to his Luaka Bop label in 1996 for the album "The New Sound of the Venezuelan Gozadera".

Since then they have recorded tracks with Masters at Work and Dimitri from Paris, played in over 60 countries, produced seven quality albums, and gained a reputation as one of the best Latin music acts performing live today.

To keep up with all the latest from Los Amigos Invisibles follow them on Twitter: @AmgsInvisibles

Venue: The Garage, 20-22 Highbury Corner, London, N5 1RD
Time: Doors open at 22:30
Nearest Tube: Highbury & Islington
Tickets: On sale via Ticketmaster

Venezuelan bands on Starbucks CD - Cafe con Musica

By Russell Maddicks
If you like a little Latin flava with your mocha coconut frapuccino then look no further than coffee chain Starbucks who have just released "Cafe con Musica" - their first compilation of contemporary Latino sounds in collaboration with LA-based indie label Nacional Records.

Two of the 16 tracks are by Venezuelan groups: "Mentiras" by the funky boogaloo pop-rocksters known as Los Amigos Invisibles - one of the best Latin dance party bands working in the USA today - and "Arenita Playita" by the hip hop group Cuarto Poder. 

The blurb from Starbucks highlights how mainstream contemporary Latin music is nowadays and how important Nacional Records has become in the promotion of so many talented artists from Latin America, Spain and the USA: "This is a snapshot of the current Latin alternative scene featuring an international array of artists exploring a range of genres, from rock to electronica and beyond. Working with Nacional Records, the foremost source of exciting new sounds from Latin musicians, we offer an introduction to elite talent from a thriving musical movement."

The participating artists cover a wide range of styles from the loungetastic cha-cha-cha reworking of "Sweet Dreams Are Made of This" by Señor Coconut, to the lyrical poetry of Chilean rapper Ana Tijoux on "1977" and the electro-tuba beats of Mexican DJ/electronica collective Nortec.

It's a shame they didn't include tracks by other Nacional Records' artists like Manu Chao and Plastilina Mosh, but there's still plenty of great artists to explore on this compilation.

So, what are you waiting for ese? With a Starbucks on nearly every corner of every major city in the States you should find no trouble picking up a copy. And with so many dance beats to shake your booty to on this album, it's a healthier option than the double fudge mini-donuts. 

The CD will be on sale at participating Starbucks outlets in the USA until 16 July.

Track List:

Diego Garcia - You Were Never There
Andrea Echeverri - A Eme O
Señor Coconut - Sweet Dreams

Sara Valenzuela - Para Continuar
The Pinker Tones - The Whistling Song
Polock - Fireworks
Pacha Massive - All Good Things
No Te Va Gustar - Chau
Nortec Collective Presents: Bostich + Fussible - I Count the Ways
Los Amigos Invisibles - Mentiras
Ana Tijoux - 1977
Monareta - Llama
DJ Bitman - Shine
Mexican Institute of Sound - Mirando a las Muchachas
Aterciopelados - Rio
Cuarto Poder - Arenita Playita

To listen to sample clips and buy individual tracks click here:

Venezuelan bands on Starbucks CD - Cafe con Musica

By Russell Maddicks
If you like a little Latin flava with your mocha coconut frapuccino then look no further than coffee chain Starbucks who have just released "Cafe con Musica" - their first compilation of contemporary Latino sounds in collaboration with LA-based indie label Nacional Records.

Two of the 16 tracks are by Venezuelan groups: "Mentiras" by the funky boogaloo pop-rocksters known as Los Amigos Invisibles - one of the best Latin dance party bands working in the USA today - and "Arenita Playita" by the hip hop group Cuarto Poder. 

The blurb from Starbucks highlights how mainstream contemporary Latin music is nowadays and how important Nacional Records has become in the promotion of so many talented artists from Latin America, Spain and the USA: "This is a snapshot of the current Latin alternative scene featuring an international array of artists exploring a range of genres, from rock to electronica and beyond. Working with Nacional Records, the foremost source of exciting new sounds from Latin musicians, we offer an introduction to elite talent from a thriving musical movement."

The participating artists cover a wide range of styles from the loungetastic cha-cha-cha reworking of "Sweet Dreams Are Made of This" by Señor Coconut, to the lyrical poetry of Chilean rapper Ana Tijoux on "1977" and the electro-tuba beats of Mexican DJ/electronica collective Nortec.

It's a shame they didn't include tracks by other Nacional Records' artists like Manu Chao and Plastilina Mosh, but there's still plenty of great artists to explore on this compilation.

So, what are you waiting for ese? With a Starbucks on nearly every corner of every major city in the States you should find no trouble picking up a copy. And with so many dance beats to shake your booty to on this album, it's a healthier option than the double fudge mini-donuts. 

The CD will be on sale at participating Starbucks outlets in the USA until 16 July.

Track List:

Diego Garcia - You Were Never There
Andrea Echeverri - A Eme O
Señor Coconut - Sweet Dreams

Sara Valenzuela - Para Continuar
The Pinker Tones - The Whistling Song
Polock - Fireworks
Pacha Massive - All Good Things
No Te Va Gustar - Chau
Nortec Collective Presents: Bostich + Fussible - I Count the Ways
Los Amigos Invisibles - Mentiras
Ana Tijoux - 1977
Monareta - Llama
DJ Bitman - Shine
Mexican Institute of Sound - Mirando a las Muchachas
Aterciopelados - Rio
Cuarto Poder - Arenita Playita

To listen to sample clips and buy individual tracks click here:

Venezuelan band Los Amigos Invisibles make a movie

La Casa del Ritmo, A Film About Los Amigos Invisibles - Teaser from Juan Miguel Marin on Vimeo.

To celebrate 20 years making groovy Latin dance tunes, Venezuela's funkiest pop-rock-boogaloo band - Los Amigos Invisibles - have produced a movie called La Casa del Ritmo.

The movie is due to come out in Summer 2012 but a teaser trailer is out now, showing the kind of quality fans have come to expect from the Grammy-winning combo.

Starting out as an indie-underground group playing acid-jazz-inspired funk and boogaloo for a Caracas in-crowd, the six members of Amigos Invisibles were catapulted to international stardom when ex-Talking Head Davis Byrne signed them to his Luaka Bop label in 1996 for the album "The New Sound of the Venezuelan Gozadera".

Since then they have played in over 60 countries, produced seven quality albums, a live concert DVD and are are recognized as one of the best live Latin music acts performing today.

In 2009 their album "Commercial" - featuring the hit single Mentiras - won Best Alternative Music Album at the Latin Grammys.

In 2011, the follow-up album of outtakes "Not So Commercial" was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Latin Rock, Pop or Urban Album, their third Grammy nomination.

Judging by the massive buzz generated by the new movie, it looks set to bring them a whole host of new fans and keep them in business for many years to come.

Los Amigos Invisibles are: Julio Briceño (aka "Chulius", vocals, percussion); José Luis Pardo (aka "Cheo" or "DJ Afro", guitar, songwriting); Armando Figueredo (aka "Odnam", keyboards); Mauricio Arcas (aka "Maurimix", congas, percussion); José Rafael Torres (aka "Catire", bass); and Juan Manuel Roura (aka "Mamel", drums, percussion).

Dudamel and Los Amigos Invisibles blow away LA

Venezuelan musical history was made on Friday, 12 August, when funky-Latin-party popsters Los Amigos Invisibles took to the stage with mop-top conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Philarmonic to play five classics from their back catalogue at a packed Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

It was a meeting of two of Venezuela's most accomplished and successful exports: Los Amigos Invisibles, who have created their own distinctive brand of dance-friendly tropical funk, and Dudamel, the hottest property in classical music, who is currently director of the Gothenburg Symphony and the LA Philarmonic, two of the finest orchestras in the world.

The concert included some of the band's best-loved hits, such as En Cuatro, La Vecina and Amor.

Los Amigos Invisibles are currently on a 20th anniversary tour of the USA, Europe and Latin America and will next play at Mexico City's Teatro Metropolitan on 19 August.

As soon as I have a better video I'll post it.

Los Amigos Invisibles - Nada Que Decir

This is a blast from the past for all those fans of Venezuela's Los Amigos Invisibles who can still remember the excitement and joy they created 15 years ago when they first burst onto the music scene with their dancey Latin party tunes.

Just check out the groovy video... aciiiid!

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Mentiras

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles cover of Los Fabulosos Cadillac's "Mal Bicho"

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Diablo

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Cuchi Cuchi

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Playa Azul

Video: Max and Jason have lunch with Los Amigos Invisibles

To buy the new CD 'Commercial' click here:
MP3 tracks from Los Amigos Invisibles:

Los Amigos Invisibles - Como Sabes Tu

'Como Sabes Tu' is the latest video from the band's new Latin Grammy winning album 'Comercial'.

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Mentiras

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles cover of Los Fabulosos Cadillac's "Mal Bicho"

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Diablo

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Cuchi Cuchi

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Playa Azul

Video: Max and Jason have lunch with Los Amigos Invisibles

To buy the new CD 'Commercial' click here:

MP3 tracks from Los Amigos Invisibles:

Los Amigos Invisibles in London - 9 July

London is bracing for a Venezuelan invasion as Los Amigos Invisibles prepare to rock the UK capital to its ultra-funk foundations with a single live show on 9 July at the Clapham Grand (21-25 St John's Hill, Clapham Junction, SW11 1TT). Tickets are on sale through Ticketweb.com at £20.

To get a taste of the full Amigos experience, here's a video of the track 'En Cuatro' taken at a recent LAI concert in Argentina, where the boys blew the place apart with a trawl through their back catalogue.

After 19 years of creating infectious dance music the Invisible Friends show no signs of slowing down. Their latest CD 'Comercial' won them a Latin Grammy.

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Mentiras

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles cover of Los Fabulosos Cadillac's "Mal Bicho"

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Diablo

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Cuchi Cuchi

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Playa Azul

Video: Max and Jason have lunch with Los Amigos Invisibles

To buy the new CD 'Commercial' click here:
MP3 tracks from Los Amigos Invisibles:

Los Amigos Invisibles - Plastic Woman

Venezuelan band Los Amigos Invisibles were invited to play live on Texan radio station KUT FM in Austin, recently, cooking up a cool version of the track "Plastic Woman" from their Latin Grammy winning album "Commercial".

To preview "Commercial" and get songs in MP3 format click here:

To buy Los Amigos latest CD "Commercial" click here:

Los Amigos Invisibles - Sexy

Venezuela's best party band take some inspiration from the spoof comedy Airline for the video to "Sexy", a great song from their 1998 album "The New Sound of the Venezuelan Gozadera" on David Byrne's label Luaka Bop.

If only flying was this much fun.

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Mentiras

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles cover of Los Fabulosos Cadillac's "Mal Bicho"

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Diablo

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Cuchi Cuchi

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Playa Azul

Video: Max and Jason have lunch with Los Amigos Invisibles

CD Review: Venezuelan Zinga Son Vol 1 - Amigos Invisibles

CD Review: Arepa 3000 - Los Amigos Invisibles

Los Amigos Invisibles - Mal Bicho

The Invisible Friends highlight the anti-war message on their version of this classic song by Argentina's Los Fabulosos Cadillacs.

The track appears on the CD "Vos Sabes... Como Te Esperaba!" (Pop Art Discos) a new tribute album to Los Fabulosos Cadillac's released in Latin America on 13 November 2009.

Los Amigos Invisibles are joined on the tribute album by Andres Calamaro, Los Cafres, Los Autenticos Decadentes, Kapanga, Arbol, Cuentos Borgeanos, Los Tipitos, No Te Va A Gustar, Massacre, Aterciopelados, Cartel de Santa and Los Pericos.

As soon as I get a video with better sound I'll put it up.

Here's the lyrics:

Mal Bicho

Vos que andas diciendo que hay mejores y peores
Vos que andas diciendo que se debe hacer
Vos que andas diciendo que hay mejores y peores
Vos que andas diciendo que se debe hacer
Escucha lo que canto, pero no lo confundir.
Es de Paz lo que canto.
Que me hablas de privilegios, de una raza soberana, superiores, inferiores, Minga de Poder!
Como se te ocurre, que algunos son elegidos, y otros son para el descarte, ambiciones de poder

Es malo tu destino
Que marco tu camino?
La cancion que es valiente
Es canción para siempre.

Como dijo mi abuela: "Aquí el que no corre vuela"
Y en el Planeta son tantos. Como pueden ser tantos?
En la escuela nos enseñan a memorizar fechas de batallas
Pero que poco nos enseñan de Amor.

Discriminar. Eso no esta nada bien, ante los ojos de Dios todos somos iguales
Sos el que hace las guerras, dicta falsas condenas
El que ama la violencia, que no tiene conciencia

Nunca piensa, nunca piensa, nunca piensa. Murderers. Mambo!

¡Mal bicho!
Todos te dicen que sos
Mal bicho
Así es como te ves
Mal Bicho
¡Mal bicho!
Todos te dicen que sos
Mal bicho
Así es como te ves
Mal Bicho
¡Mal bicho!
Todos te dicen que sos
Mal bicho
Así es como te ves
Mal Bicho

Por qué vas lastimando a quién se ve distinto?
Imponiendo posturas siempre con mano dura.

Mal bicho!
Todos te dicen que sos
Mal bicho
Así es como te ves
Mal Bicho
Mal bicho!
Todos te dicen que sos
Mal bicho
Así es como te ves
Mal Bicho
Mal bicho!
Todos te dicen que sos
Mal bicho
Así es como te ves
Mal Bicho

Vos tenés pal' abrigo otros mueren del frio
El que anda matando, el que va torturando...

Mal bicho!
Todos te dicen que eres
Mal bicho
Asi es como te ves
Mal Bicho

Yo no voy
A la guerra
A la violencia
A la injusticia
Ni a su codicia...

Digo no! (x 10)

Paz en el mundo!
No ha

Voy, voy, voy. Yo no voy. Yo no voy, voy, voy. Yo no voy pa' la guerra.
Yo no voy, voy, voy. Yo no voy. Yo no voy, voy, voy. Yo no voy.
Yo no voy, voy, voy. Yo no voy. Yo no voy, voy, voy. Yo no voy pa' la guerra.
Yo no voy, voy, voy. Yo no voy. Yo no voy, voy, voy. Yo no voy.

Los Amigos Invisibles win Latin Grammy

Los Amigos Invisibles win Latin Grammy

Venezuelan artists were lauded, applauded and showered with victory on Thursday night at the 10th Latin Grammy Awards at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

First, Jose Antonio Abreu, the man who started the youth orchestra system picked up a Grammy for his work with shanty town and underprivileged kids.

Then, Los Amigos Invisibles picked up the gong for "Best Alternative Music Album" for their latest Cd "Comercial" - beating the other artists in the category, Babasonicos, with the album “Mucho”, Kinky with “Barracuda”, Novalima with “Coba Coba” and Zoé with “Reptiletric”.

The first single from the album, "Mentiras", has been a massive hit for the band across Latin America and the USA.

Los Amigos were still walking the green carpet when their award was presented. “We thought they would give it to another band,” a band member joked backstage.

"Comercial" was produced by Cachorro Lopez and Dimitri from Paris and features guest vocals by Natalia lafourcade. It was recorded in New York studio The Magic Shop and mastered at Stearling studios.

This is the Venezuelan band's first Latin Grammy and will bring their work to a much wider audience.

To preview "Commercial" and get songs in MP3 format click here:

To buy Los Amigos latest CD "Commercial" click here:

Oscar D'Leon, Amigos Invisibles at Latin Grammys

UPDATE: Los Amigos Invisibles win their first Latin Grammy

Three important Venezuelan music legends have been nominated to the Latin Grammy Awards this year: Salsa king Oscar D'Leon, Latin pop-rockers Los Amigos invisibles and balladeer Franco de Vita.

Oscar D'Leon is competing in the category for Best Salsa Album with his latest CD "Tranquilamente... Tranquilo", a triumphant return to top form.

Oscar will be going to head to head in the Salsa category with Cuban salsero Isaac Delgado and Gilberto Santa Rosa.

Los Amigos Invisibles are nominated for Best Alternative Music Album with their latest CD "Comercial" - featuring the single "Mentiras", a massive hit for the band across Latin America and the USA.

The Invisible Friends face stiff competion from the Peruvian electro-folk group Novalima and Argentine rockers Babasonicos.

Veteran balladeer Franco de Vita's CD "Simplemente La Verdad", meanwhile, is up for Best Singer-Songwriter Album, alongside the Guatemalan singer Ricardo Arjona and the Brazilian Caetano Veloso.

The 10th annual Latin Grammy Awards will take place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas on 5 November, and fireworks are expected as the top talents from Latin American and the USA take to the stage.

Leading the list of nominations are Puerto Rico hip-hop group Calle 13 with five nods, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Urban Music Album, Best Alternative Song and Best Short Form Music Video for "La Perla", which features salsa legend Ruben Blades.

A special Person of the Year award will be presented to the Mexican singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel.

The event will be broadcast live on the Hispanic channel Univision.

Mango Funk - Trankilo

Maracaibo band Mango Funk hit big with "Trankilo" - a track from their album "El Nuevo Beat del Tambor", which fuses elements of Afro-Venezuelan beats with funk and electronica.

Basically, it's a break up song: "Mujer, dejame beber, dejame vivir tranquilo."

There are clear echoes of Los Amigos Invisibles on "El Nuevo Beat del Tambor", with the upbeat electronica and slow bossa nova tracks, but Mango Funk are succesfully carving out their own niche and "Guira y Tumbadora" is a great attempt at making folk drum beats funky.

It's a confident first album considering the band only got together in 2003, when guitarist and lead singer Alexis Romero hooked up with Miguel Romero on bass guitar, Melvin Portillo on percussion, and Luis Cova on drums.

Later, knob-twiddler and turntablist Carlos Guillen and keyboard player Oscar Vargas came on board to fill out the sound.

Check out their MySpace page:

I like the Gilbert and George inspired poster.

Los Amigos Invisibles: Vivire Para Ti

UPDATE: Los Amigos Invisibles win their first Latin Grammy for the album "Commercial"

Another great track from "Commercial", the latest CD by Los Amigos Invisibles, which is scheduled for a 9-June release.

"Vivire Para Ti" features guest vocals by the Mexican singer Natalia Lafourcade, who won a Latin Grammy for her 2005 album "Casa".

Chulius and Natalia make it one sweet duet.

Vivire Para Ti

Ven y dame todo lo que tienes
que yo esperando estare aqui
ven y besame hasta la muerte
Y asi sere yo por ti feliz

Te entregare mi vida
y no tendre salida
solo tuyo sere

Te llevare hasta el cielo
y dormire en tus senos
solo tuyo sere

Ven y dame todo lo que quieras
que yo esperando estare por ti
ven y llevate lo que prefieras
que todo todo esto es para ti

Y entregare mi vida
y no tendre salida
solo tuya sere
te llevare hasta el cielo
y dormire en tus senos
solo tuya sere

Tu te entregas lentamente
y yo te toco dulcemente
anda quedate en mi mente
hagamos que este amor reviente

Tu seras la que me inspire
me consienta y me domine
no dejemos que termine
pues yo hare que te fascine
vivire para ti

To download Los Amigos Invisibles MP3 tracks click here:

To buy the new CD "Commercial" click here:



Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Mentiras

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Diablo

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Cuchi Cuchi

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Playa Azul

Video: Max and Jason have lunch with Los Amigos Invisibles

CD Review: Venezuelan Zinga Son Vol 1 - Amigos Invisibles

CD Review: Arepa 3000 - Los Amigos Invisibles

Simon Diaz - Alma Llanera

UPDATE - 19/02/2014: Venezuela Bids Adios to a Much Loved Folk Legend

"Alma Llanera" is the country's second national anthem, a song that pays homage to the wide open plains of the Llanos and the importance of "musica llanera" to Venezuela's cultural identity.

Visit Venezuela and you're sure to hear this at the opening or closing of a popular fiesta, on TV or the radio. Countless versions of the song exist and smooth crooners like Julio Iglesias and operatic masters like Placido Domingo have all tapped into its popularity.

Venezuelan pop group Los Amigos Invisibles even tackled it for their last album "Superpop Venezuela".

This version is performed by folk singer and composer "Tio" Simon Diaz (born 8 August, 1928), a legend of traditional Venezuelan music who was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Latin Grammy's in November 2008.

The song has a long history. The music was composed in the form of a "joropo" by Pedro Elias Gutierrez, a band leader from La Guaira, for a "zarzuela" of the same name performed on 19 September, 1914, at the Teatro Caracas.

"Zarzuela" was the name for comic folk operas that became popular in 17th century Spain and are named after Philip IV's Zarzuela Palace.

The lyrics of the song, which were penned by the writer Rafael Bolivar Coronado, stay true to the "zarzuela" tradition by encapsulating the wild beauty of the rugged Llanos while the music draws on the folk style of "joropo", the music of the Llanos.

As you can see from the lyrics (below) Bolivar Coronado created an idealized vision of thundering rivers, white ibises, sunshine and roses and people who love, cry, sing and dream "with carnations of passion".

Not surprisingly, "Alma Llanera" became an instant hit and President Juan Vicente Gomez was so pleased with the tune that he paid for Bolivar Coronado to visit Spain on a scholarship from which he never returned.

So, let's all sing along:

Yo naci en esta ribera del Arauca vibrador
Soy hermano de la espuma
De las garzas de las rosas
Soy hermano de la espuma
De las garzas de las rosas
Y del sol (del sol) y del sol.

Me arrullo la viva diana de la brisa en el palmar
Y por eso tengo el alma
Como el alma primorosa
Y por eso tengo el alma
Como el alma primorosa
De cristal de cristal.

Amo, lloro, canto, sueño
Con claveles de pasion
Con claveles de pasion.
Para aunar las rubias crines
Para aunar las rubias crines
Del potro que monto yo.
Yo naci en esta ribera
Del Arauca vibrador
Soy hermano de la espuma
De las garzas de las rosas y del sol.



Report: Simon Diaz honoured at Latin Grammy Awards

Click here for a video of Simon Diaz singing "Caballo Viejo"

Click here for a video of "Angustia" by Simon Diaz remixed by Babylon Motorhome

Click here for a video of the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra playing "Alma LLanera" at the BBC Proms in London's Albert Hall in 2007

Los Amigos Invisibles - Mentiras

UPDATE: Los Amigos Invisibles win their first Latin Grammy for the album "Commercial"

The latest song from Los Amigos Invisibles, "Mentiras" ("Lies") has been number one in Venezuela for weeks now.

The excellent video is directed by William Zitser, who also directed the videos for "Yo Soy Asi" and "Las Gorditas de Mario".

Set in Nublu, one of guitarist Jose Luis Pardo's favourite nightspots in New York City, it features assorted mamis and friends of the band grooving to the new tune while Willy chases lead singer Julio Briceno around the club.

The song comes from the band's long-awaited new album "Comercial" which will be out later in the year on Gozadera Records.

"Comercial" follows their 2-CD greatest hits album and DVD "Una Noche Tan Linda Como Esta" recorded live at the band's 15th anniversary gig at the Aula Magna in Caracas. A must have for fans.

So let's all sing along to the funky latin beat...

Debes estar confundida
O habia un tipo igualito a mi

Te cuentan que me vieron paseando en la ciudad
Con una ropa fina y con cara de galan
Mirando a todas las chicas pasar frente a mi
Pero eso es imposible Yo nunca estuve alli

Cuando no estas conmigo yo me porto bien
Me quedo encerrado viendo la TV
No salgo ni a la esquina ni hablo con mi vecina
Aunque no te lo niego sigue estando divina

Esas son puras mentiras
Esa noche yo no andaba alli
Debes estar confundida
O habia un tipo igualito a mi (x2)

Me dices que me viste en una pagina web
Con dos jevas al lado y una birra tambien
Que estaba muy contento y como distraido
Te juro yo a esa hora estaba mas que dormido

No se de que me hablas yo no se que pasa
Tu siempre por ahi Y yo tranquilo en mi casa
Leyendome unos libros pa poder comprender
Como debo tratarte y entenderte mujer

Esas son puras mentiras...
Esa noche yo no andaba alli
Debes estar confundida
O habia un tipo igualito a mi

Igualito a mi...

Mentira mentira mentira mentira mentira mentira mentira mira mira mira

Esas son puras mentiras...
Esa noche yo no andaba alli
Debes estar confundida
O habia un tipo igualito a mi (x2)

To download Los Amigos Invisibles MP3 tracks click here:

To buy the new CD "Commercial" click here:



Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Diablo

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Cuchi Cuchi

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Playa Azul

Video: Max and Jason have lunch with Los Amigos Invisibles

CD Review: Venezuelan Zinga Son Vol 1 - Amigos Invisibles

CD Review: Arepa 3000 - Los Amigos Invisibles

CD Review: Venezuelan Zinga Son Vol 1 - Amigos Invisibles

UPDATE: Los Amigos Invisibles win their first Latin Grammy for the album "Commercial"

Venezuelan party poppers cook up some Saturday night dance fever
Growing up in the Caribbean, in a country awash with merengue and salsa, Los Amigos Invisibles swam against the tide and immersed themselves in the British acid-jazz scene and US rare grooves. The result was a string of irreverent party tracks that shot them to the top of the Latin American charts.

It also got them noticed by David Byrne's Luaka Bop label, which put out their second release "The New Sound of the Venezuelan Gozadera" and introduced them to a global audience.

On their fourth album, "The Venezuelan Zinga Son Vol. 1", the band continues to buck prevailing trends with a retro-feast of disco, lounge, bossa and 70s-style salsa.

Just as dance music cedes its crown to hip hop and guitar bands, the group have hooked up with New York house legends Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez and Lil’ Louie Vega, better known as Masters at Work (MAW), to help them recreate an underground 80s dance sound.

The result is a slow burning album which will impress newcomers with its smooth production values, but which keeps faithful fans waiting for classic "amigos" moments.

The showpiece of the MAW collaboration is "Ease Your Mind", a remake of rare disco classic by Touchdown from 1982, which shows off the skills of keyboardist Armando Figueredo. Listen out for the percussion breaks by Venezuelan timbables-player Luisito Quintero, who has worked closely with La India and Eddie Palmieri and recently put out his own album with Louie Vega: "Percussion Maddness".

The real fun begins with "Calne" (literally, "Meat") and "Esto es Lo Que hay" ("That's All There Is"), two stand-up-and-stomp, salsa-tinged tracks that benefit from the trombone of Jimmy Bosch and Julio Briceno's cheeky vocals.

But the guaranteed party warmers have to be "Majunche", which sounds like a remix of a track from their first album, and the irrepressible "Superfucker".

If this is all there is, we're gonna have a funking good time.

Track Listing:
1. Rico Pa' Goza'
2. Comodon Johnson
3. Una Disco Llena
4. Venezuelan Zingason
5. Playa Azul
6. Ease Your Mind
7. Isyormain
8. Gerundio
9. Ojos Cerrando
10. Esto Es Lo Que Hay
11. Majunche
12. Mambo Chimbo
13. Diablo
14. Calne
15. Superfucker
16. Bruja
17. Las Gorditas De Mario

To download Los Amigos Invisibles MP3 tracks click here:

To buy the CD "The Venezuelan Zinga Son, Vol. 1" click here:


To buy the new CD "Commercial" click here:



More videos of Los Amigos Invisibles:

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Mentiras

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Diablo

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Cuchi Cuchi

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Playa Azul

Video: Max and Jason have lunch with Los Amigos Invisibles

CD Review: Arepa 3000 - Los Amigos Invisibles

CD Review: Arepa 3000 - Los Amigos Invisibles

UPDATE: Los Amigos Invisibles win their first Latin Grammy for new album "Commercial"

Los Amigos Invisibles - Arepa 3000: A Venezuelan Journey Into Space

South American Summer sounds don't come any fresher, funkier or funnier than this, the second album from Los Amigos Invisibles. The Invisible Friends started life playing pool parties for their pals and quickly learnt how to blend the sounds of early Santana, the Fania Allstars and 70s disco into an irresistible dance-floor phenomenon.
Their shows became famous for sexed-up songs, Latin-lover dance moves and sing-along choruses. By the time ex-Talking Heads David Byrne discovered them they had mastered the perfect pop hook and were applying it to a funked up mix of boogaloo, merengue and acid jazz that recognized no limits.
As they sing on Amor: "Love in any language will always mean the same".

Track listing
1. Intro
2. Arepa 3000
3. La Vecina
4. Qué Rico
5. Cuchi Cuchi
6. Si Estuvieras Aquí
7. Masturbation Session
8. Mami Te Extraño
9. Mujer Policía
10. No Le Metas Mano
11. Amor
12. Pipí
13. El Barro
14. Domingo Echao
15. Piazo E' Perra
16. El Baile Del Sobón
17. Fonnovo
18. Caliente
19. Llegaste Tarde

To download Los Amigos Invisibles MP3 tracks click here:

To buy the CD "The Venezuelan Zinga Son, Vol. 1" click here:

To buy the new CD "Commercial" click here:




Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Mentiras

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Diablo

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Cuchi Cuchi

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Playa Azul

Video: Max and Jason have lunch with Los Amigos Invisibles

CD Review: Venezuelan Zinga Son Vol 1 - Amigos Invisibles

Los Amigos Invisibles: Diablo

The boys take a back seat in this videoclip of the song Diablo from the album "The Venezuelan Zinga Son. Vol 1". Checkalo !

To download Los Amigos Invisibles MP3 tracks click here:

To buy the CD "The Venezuelan Zinga Son, Vol. 1" click here:

To buy the new CD "Commercial" click here:



Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Mentiras

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Cuchi Cuchi

Video: Los Amigos Invisibles - Playa Azul

Video: Max and Jason have lunch with Los Amigos Invisibles

CD Review: Venezuelan Zinga Son Vol 1 - Amigos Invisibles

CD Review: Arepa 3000 - Los Amigos Invisibles