Cumbia Cumbia, Vols. 1 & 2

Discos Fuentes was the very first record label in Colombia and remains one of the oldest and most important recording enterprises in the world. Founded by Antonio Fuentes in Cartagena in 1934, it has released some of the most important recordings in cumbia, vallenato, and fandango -- musical styles that fused African rhythms with western instruments. Discos Fuentes preceded Motown in its use of a studio factory conveyor belt system, employing its best-selling artists to compose and produce hit singles for others. Discos Fuentes launched the careers of many of the region's most important artists. World Circuit's Nick Gold licensed tracks from Discos Fuentes' catalog and compilations -- especially 1966's Cumbias, Cumbias, Cumbias -- and released the first volume of Cumbia Cumbia in 1988; the second followed in 1993. In 2021, Nonesuch compiles both volumes in a single package with 30 classic cumbias recorded between 1953 and 1988.The first 12 selections allow listeners to hear the label's