Vampisoul present the first ever reissue ofZulu‘s self-titled album, originally released in 1974. The first record by Zulu was also his last. Shortly after releasing it in 1974, the artist withdrew from the music scene and never returned. 46 years later, his music still sounds out of time. His musical eclecticism heralded a different era and linked rock with Afro-Latin American beats and pop. His debut and only LP is one of the last great albums of the first wave of Peruvian rock. No other original records of this type were released in Peru until the early ’80s. In the ’70s, in Peru, most rock groups sang in English. For his LP, Zulu chose to sing in his own language and focus on his own emotions and experiences. In the early days of his career, he became member ofLos Shain’s, for less than a year. Then he was invited to joinTraffic Soundplaying bass guitar and keyboards and record the band’s third albumLux. An offer to start a solo career would follow and “Como una escalera”, “Alegra”, and “Cario grande” 45s were released. The expectations that his first solo singles generated were met by the release of the LPZuluin 1974, boasting an eclectic and innovative sound. Andean folk, Afro-Latin beats, psych-tinged prog rock scents, Moog glides, choir arrangements spread across the entire album creating a truly unique piece of music. A few demos were also recorded for the next album but this never saw the light. In December 1974, a few months after the LP was released, the artist decided to disappear. At this point of his life, he started to become aware of the need to define spirituality. After exploring and comparing countless religious, philosophical, psychological texts and trying transcendental meditation and yoga, he concluded that the Bible was the most profound and clearest text. While this was going on, his public figure grew thanks to the success of his album. At the end of 1974, Zulu surprised the manager of IEMPSA,Augusto Sarria, by communicating his decision to leave show business. The artist vanished into the religious path, making sure his music got as unnoticed as possible… The reissue has been supervised by the artist himself and includes extensive notes and the extra track “Haces mal, pobre chico”, B side to his first single that never made it into the album.

Records & Lps

Zulu

Zulu – Zulu LP

Zurich Cloud Motors – Zurich Cloud Motors LP

Zuu