Black Sugar

1971, the year this Peruvian band released their first LP, was one of turmoil for Peru. The country was three years into the rigid Velasco regime, whose left-wing policies were an attempt at a kind of Soviet-style communism that included the silencing of the media and an attempted ban on the import of rock music. Throughout the late '60s and early '70s rock concerts were often cancelled and the import of all 'Yankee' music was blocked. But no government policy could completely stop the tidal wave of American and British music flooding the market and bands like Black Sugar (originally called Los Far Fen, because they had a Farfisa organ and Fender amps) were all ears. Though devout children of the international rock scene, their first LP, released on the Peruvian label Sono Radio, definitely drips with the funky Peruvian rhythms heard on original tracks like the hit 'Viajecito' and 'Too Late.' Despite the desperate Peruvian economic situation, this album sold all over South America and was even re-released by an American label located in Miami. Excellent guitar and keyboards also define this album along with the talents of Latin percussion king Coco Lagos. Don't miss it!

• 1 Too Late
• 2 Viajecito
• 3 The Looser
• 4 This Time
• 5 Funky Man
• 6 Understanding
• 7 When You're Walking
• 8 When I Needed Someone
• 9 Pussy Cat