Los Amigos Invisibles

Los Amigos Invisibles
Background information
Origin	Venezuela
Genres	Acid Jazz Disco Funk
Years active	1991–present
Labels	EMI Luaka Bop Gozadera Records Nacional Records
Members	Julio Briceño José Rafael Torres Juan Manuel Roura
Past members	Armando Figueredo Jose Luis Pardo Mauricio Arcas
Website	Official website

Los Amigos Invisibles (Spanish for "The Invisible Friends") is a Venezuelan band that plays a blend of disco, acid jazz and funk mixed with Latin rhythms. In addition to releasing eleven critically acclaimed albums, the band is lauded internationally for their explosive, live shows, spanning nearly 60 countries.

History

In 1995, EMI released their debut album, A Typical and Autoctonal Venezuelan Dance Band, which was a huge success in their home country, enabling them to sell out clubs around Caracas for the next couple of years. In 1996, David Byrne's Luaka Bop record label signed the group after discovering a CD they had planted in a New York City record store. Shortly thereafter, they went into the studio to work on their sophomore record, The New Sound of the Venezuelan Gozadera, which was released in 1998 and received accolades from press and musicians alike. Two years later and under the direction of famed producer Philip Steir, they released Arepa 3000: A Venezuelan Journey into Space, which received a Grammy nomination in the category of "Best Latin Alternative Album" and a Latin Grammy in the category of "Best Rock Album." Following the success of this release, the band relocated to New York City and began work on their masterpiece, The Venezuelan Zinga Son, Vol. 1, produced by "Little" Louie Vega of Masters at Work. Initially, the album was released in the UK and Japan through Long Lost Brothers Records, though a year later, Luaka Bop released the album in the US, resulting in another Latin Grammy nomination in the category of "Best Alternative Latin Album."

After ending their recording contract with Luaka Bop, Los Amigos Invisibles started their own label, Gozadera Records. The first release, Chill Out Venezuela, was a multiple-genre collection of Venezuelan artists, produced by Los Amigos Invisibles. For Gozadera's next release and the band's fifth studio album, they enlisted Dimitri from Paris to produce a collection of Venezuelan cover songs entitled, Super Pop Venezuela, which was initially offered in their native country only. In 2006, the album was released in the US, landing the band yet another Grammy nomination in the category of "Best Urban Latin Alternative Album."

After three years of anticipation, Los Amigos Invisibles released their album, Commercial, in a joint effort between Gozadera Records and Nacional Records. In an interview with America's National Public Radio, the band explained that the change in style was not by accident, nor was decision to name the latest project Commercial. Rather, it is a tongue-in-cheek reference to band's former musical self. The release was a hit in Venezuela, debuting at #1 on the music charts. During the week of July 7, 2009, their song, "Vivire Para Ti" featuring Natalia Lafourcade, was offered as Single of the Week in the iTunes music store and in November 2009, Commercial won the Latin Grammy in the category of Best Alternative Music Album.

Following their Grammy win, 2010 saw festival appearances and shows throughout the United States, Latin America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

In 2011, the band released Not So Commercial, an EP of outtakes from the Commercial album. This album was a nominee for the Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop, Rock or Urban Album in 2012.

In April 2013, Repeat After Me was released. This album received a Grammy nomination in the category of "Best Latin Alternative Album" and a Latin Grammy in the category of "Best Alternative Album", "Song of the year" and "Best Cover".

In 2014, keyboardist Armando Figueredo and guitartist Jose Luis Pardo (Cheo) left the band. Both were original members.

In 2015, "Acústico" was released. A greatest hits on acoustic format.

Band members

• Julio Briceño (a.k.a. "Chulius", vocals, percussion, songwriting)
• José Rafael Torres (a.k.a. "Catire", bass, songwriting)
• Juan Manuel Roura (a.k.a. "Mamel", or "Mamulo," drums, percussion, songwriting)

Discography

• A Typical and Autoctonal Venezuelan Dance Band (1995)
• The New Sound of the Venezuelan Gozadera (1998)
• Arepa 3000: A Venezuelan Journey into Space (2000)
• The Venezuelan Zinga Son, Vol. 1 (2003)
• Super Pop Venezuela (2005)
• Super Pop Venezuela, Remixes (2008)
• En una noche tan linda como ésta (2008)
• Commercial (2009)
• Not So Commercial (2011)
• Repeat After Me (2013)
• Acustico" (2015)
• El Paradise"(2017)

See also

• Venezuelan music

External links

• Los Amigos Invisibles official website
• Los Amigos Invisibles' myspace website
• Los Amigos Invisibles at Yahoo Music
• Dj Afro official website
• Odnam's myspace website
• Q&A Sessions: Los Amigos Invisibles' Julio Briceño with nocheLatina