Our Top Ten Favourite Venezuelan Albums

Venezuela is Latin Music's best kept secret. On top its rich tapestry of Afro-Caribbean influences, Venezuela was a mecca to immigrants from all over the world and, as opposed to Cuba, the influence of American pop helped to bring different flows into the mix and made the music some of the most diverse in the Americas. Home to both a party loving public and some of the world's best musicians, the country is still a top reference for musicians, producing some of the best music in Latin America, even throughout the current financial crisis. From Guaco and Oscar D'Leon to Los Amigos Invisibles and Desorden Publico; from Salsa and Funk to Ska and Punk, here are some of our favourite Venezuelan albums of the pre-reggaeton era.

by DJ Jose Luis

1. GUACO - Cómo Era y Cómo Es

It was supposed to be the album that would make the legendary Venezuelan band international stars. For many reasons it didn't...still a fantastic album with newer versions of old classics and new material.

2. OSCAR DE LEON - En Vivo en Copacabana

The most charismatic salsa singer and performer only can be judged by the high standards of his shows and this is the first album that ever captured that. Live in the world famous Copacabana club (New York) with his full venezuelan band.

3. AMIGOS INVISIBLES - Venezuela Singazón Vol 1.

Produced by "Little" Louie Vega, it was the album that gave Los Amigos a global sound and put them on the road to international recognition.

4.GRUPO MANGO - Puro Mango

A salsa band from the late 70s and early 80s, it was considered the creme of the creme at his peak. Tihs is a best of and the only material that can be found on CD.

5.SAXOMANIA. Marejada Feliz: A tribute to Roberto Roena

A fantastic achievement. This album should be in any true salsero’s collection

6. DESORDEN PUBLICO - Canto Popular de la Vida y Muerte

Put simply...Ska Cubano with cojones. a 20-year-old ska/rock band that sounds better today than ever. This was their 4th album and their best in my opinion.

7. SENTIMIENTO MUERTO - Sin Sombra No Hay Luz

Pure tropical punk! Sentimiento Muerto was the most popular rock band in Venezuela. This album made them the stars they became.

8. VAGOS Y MALEANTES Papidandeando

Caracas Hiphop at its best. Their first and best album of the pre-reggaeton era.

9.YORDANO - Hits.

A great urban troubadour, Yordano was one of the bet exponents of the caracas music scene in the 80s and 90s. This is the best of his work.

10 Trabuco Venezolano: "Trabuco Vol. 3"

The "All Stars de Venezuela", nuestro Trabuco Musical, with Moises Daubeterre on vocals, this album "Trabuco Vol. 3" grabado en 1981. is pure salsa brava of outstanding quality, the creme de la creme of Venezuelan flavour

And we can't leave without mentioning...

APA Y CAN by Apache, Cancerbero, and Canserbero

One of Latin America’s most gifted artists, a beautiful lyricist and one of the best rappers to ever to bless the mic, whose life tragically came to an end under very suspicious circumstances on Caracas, Venezuela in on January 24, 2013. Just before he died, Canserbero released and album with another pioneering Venezuela rapper Apache: Apa y Can. “I had a very beautiful experience working with him," Apache later told LatinoLife. "A very easy going dude, very humble, chilled and with a great sense of humour. He was always making us laugh with his whatever crazy thing that would come to his mind. He was always sharpening his rapping skills. He introduced me to deeper readings, while we were at the studio, I used to read but not as much as him and he kinda pushed me to read more, I took him to a more spiritual side with yoga and all the breathing exercises before singing or going on stage. It was a very beautiful, a very organic relationship, nobody really pushed it and when we realised we were already touring the whole of Latin America promoting that album. Total madness.”