Music Review: Demoler! Demoler! Demoler! The Story of Rebeca Llave and Disperú

It’s time to cross the equator once again and continue to explore a panorama of Peruvian sounds. This is a land where music seems to permeate and swirl in the semi-tropical air. When it comes to hearing Peruvian music, this century has been a high tide for both domestic and international listeners. The magnetic pull of Peruvian music continues with the many Munster, Vampisoul, and Infopesa reissues and collections found on Freegal.  Munster’s latest is a compilation focusing on the Disperú label, which was the “first independent record label in Peru and South America that was founded and run by a woman.”

Rebeca Llave single-handedly established and ran Disperú, while simultaneously working for the Peruvian record company Dispesa. The Peruvian music industry was going through major changes in the wake of the Beatles. At that time, young rock ‘n’ roll combos were looking for recording opportunities only to be turned away by the old guard who owned and operated Peru’s established labels. On her own time and initiative, Llave covered the requisite recording, accounting, and design along with the other countless duties required to run a successful record company. She even designed the Disperú logo and the label’s red & white colorways are the colors of Peru. In short, she made it happen for many from 1963 to 1968.

Llave created a conducive and encouraging atmosphere that matched the energy and enthusiasm of the young bands that were emerging in the mid-‘60s. Disperú became the go-to label for the bands from the neighborhoods and districts of Lima with dreams of recording, such as Los Saicos. Not only did the label feature local Lima acts, but she also had the foresight to sign traditional & folkloric groups from inland Peru along with promising "foreign" acts like Los 4 Brillantes from Uruguay, many of whom appear in this compilation. Overall, Llave acted as a conduit for disseminating the vibrant new sounds in jazz, lounge, pop, beat, rock ‘n’ roll, cumbia, boogaloo, and soul that were part of the groundswell that surged through South America during the ‘60s. - Ted (Downtown)

Demoler! Demoler! Demoler! on Freegal

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