The five Sanchez brothers grew up in the Amazonian city of Iquitos -where they still live – and were some of the first to electrify their local dance rhythms. Los Wembler’s were an essential part of both volumes of The Roots of Chicha and there couldn’t be a more appropriate band to celebrate the revival of Chicha and Psychedelic Cumbia.

For the past thirty years, Los Wembler’s had mostly remained in the Amazonian city of Iquitos, playing local functions, but there has been a regain of interest for the band. They have collaborated with Peruvian electro cumbia group Dengue Dengue Dengue, have been covered by Los Mirlos, Chicha Libre, Firewater and others, and inspired countless new bands.

Rooted in Colombia and based in New York, Combo Chimbita lives in the future. After playing together for years, these first-generation New Yorkers—powerhouse vocalist Carolina Oliveros, synth and bassist Prince of Queens, guitarist Niño Lento, and drummer Dilemastronauta—began experimenting with different traditional musical styles during their late night residencies at Barbès in Brooklyn. Exploring the connections between visual identity and improvisational long-form trips, Combo Chimbita came together as a four-piece band after they started encouraging more vocals by Carolina Oliveros, who tightens the rhythm with her guacharaca. On the first day of summer, June 21, 2017, Figure & Ground released Abya Yala, a full-length sonic journey through Tropical Futurism comprised of eight original tracks by Combo Chimbita. Limited to 500 vinyl copies, the 12-inch LP release features a hand-drawn insert with the Abya Yala story and a download card. It is available at fgrecords.com.

Sonido Chichadelico is New York’s premier DJ and collector of Peruvian cumbia.