Barbes Records has been largely responsible for the revival of Chicha music here in the States.  Their latest release Juaneco Y Su Combo blends psychedelic Rock and Roll, cumbia and carimbo rhythms.  Juaneco, from Pucallpa Peru, traded his accordion for a Farfisa organ.  The result was a mesmerizing sound mixed with surf guitar, faint strains of African percussion and a whiff of the Amazonian jungle. These recordings are from the 70’s and the subject matter is largely based on local indigenous folklore from the Shipibo Indians where the consumption of the strong psychedelic brew of Ayahuasca is a normal ritual.

Unfortunately, the band suffered a fatal blow when five of the members died aboard a plane crash in 1977.  A few of the band members had gone straight to Lima to work on their new record.  They survived and decided to reform the band with five new members.

-- Ethan Holtzman