Los Amigos Invisibles is a an experimental pop band whose music stretches across a vast genre pool, bursting with tints of acid jazz, funk, disco, and persistently defies conventional structural arrangements. They have garnered acclaim not only for their eclectic sound but also their energetic live act.
The group formed in 1991 in Venezuela and initially sought inspiration from acts like Jose Luis Rodriguez, The Salsoul Orchestra, Billo Frometa, Hector Lavoe, and Fania All-Stars. Their studio debut album, “A Typical and Autoctonal Venezuelan Dance” was released through EMI in 1995. It was enthusiastically received in their home country, aiding them in selling out many of their national tour dates. Though they were a huge hit in Venezuela they were still working on gaining traction abroad. The following year David Byrne (Talking Heads) stumbled upon the band’ debut album in a New York record store. He was so impressed by their sound that he contacted the group and offered them a recording contract with his label, Luaka Bop.
Their follow up album “The New Sound of Venezuelan Gozadera” came out through this label in 1998 and was likewise met with critical praise. In 2000 they issued their 3rd studio album “Arepa 3000: A Venezuelan Journey into Space”. This release was nominated for a grammy in the category, “Best Latin Alternative Album” and it’s production was handled by lauded sound engineer/ remixer Philip Steir (Tom Tom Club, No Doubt, Cake, Moby).
After gaining widespread exposure from their various nominations and budding US fan base Los Amigos Invisibles decided to move to New York City. It was here that the group conceptualized and produced perhaps the most important release of their career, “The Venezuelan Zinga Son, Vol.1”. This album was released 12 September 2000 through Luaka Bop and garnered the band with yet another grammy nomination.
Their proceeding album “Super Pop Venezuela” came out two years later through the label Gozadera Records and the remix version of this album appeared in 2008. They also put out their 6th studio album “En una noche taan linda como esta” this year.
Their 7th studio album, “Commerical” followed just a year later and marked a shift into the dance/electronica genre. This album hit No.1 on the Venezuelan Album Charts and earned them a Grammy Award for “Best Latin Pop, Rock or Urban Album”. Their 2011 follow up “Not So Commercial” was also nominated for a Grammy Award, but did not win. 2013’s “Repeat After Me” picked up even more grammy nominations for the group, including “Best Latin Alternative Album”, “Song of the Year”, and “Best Cover”.
Shawn Colvin
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