Virgilio Armas

We Are Busy Bodies announces the reissue of the rare and sought-after 1973 Venezuelan jazz album Espejismo ('Mirage') by Virgilio Armas Y Su Grupo, offering a fascinating snapshot of the thriving music scene in early 1970's Caracas, until now largely undocumented because of the musical dominance of Venezuela’s far larger southern neighbour, Brazil.

Pianist and bandleader Virgilio Armas skilfully combined Latin Jazz, post-bossa swing (Balanço), with home-grown variants of Son Cubano, Montuno, Merengue and Estilo, honed over years of playing in clubs in the Altamira and La Castellana districts of the capital.

PERSONNEL:

• Virgilio Armas - (piano, electric piano)
• Rodolfo Buenaño - (contrabass)
• Guillermo Tariba - (drums, congas)

TRACKS:

• SIDE A
• A1. Tamanaco
• A2. Barlovento
• A3. Dona Mentira
• A4. Rio Manzanares
• A5. Indecision
• A6. Moliendo Cafe

• SIDE B
• B1. Canaima
• B2. Maria Gracia
• B3. Sueño Indio
• B4. Sobre El Orinoco
• B5. Nery
• B6. Caracas Moderna