Catalog Number: VAMPI 305LP Format: LP UPC: 8435008864866 Cocinando is an epic historical treasure that captures the explosive impact of the tropical music movement on Peruvian culture. It includes salsa, guarachas, rumbas, chichas and boleros, all masterfully performed by MAG's session stars under the direction of Martin Lopez. Originally released in 1971, this Latin music gem comprises many outstanding dance floor tunes like "El Botecito," "Pa' Bailar" or "No Me Dejes." Get ready to be blown away! In 1969, singer and police lieutenant Pedro Gregorio Lopez started recording a series of instrumental tracks and songs on the MAG record label in Peru, ranging from guaracha to cumbia, all cooked with musical eclecticism and simmered to appeal to a wide audience. Many of these musical ingredients combined on the 1971 album entitled Cocinando, in reference to the similarities between Peruvian cooking and tropical music. Lopez began his career as a singer and orchestra conductor many years earlier, when he joined the backing singers for Lucho Macedo's Sonora. After completing his police training, he adopted the stage name Martin Lopez, in order to preserve the anonymity his job required. Between 1969 and 1971 Martin Lopez y sus Estrellas recorded all the tracks comprised on this album, including salsa, guarachas, rumbas, chichas and boleros, proving their knowledge and mastery of the tropical music lexicon. It is not surprising since the orchestra was made up of the most talented label's session stars: including the double bassist Joe di Roma, singer Pablo Villanueva "Melcochita", percussionists Niko Estrada and Coco Lagos, and trumpeter Tito Chicoma. Cocinando is an epic historical treasure that captures the explosive impact of the tropical music movement on Peruvian culture.