This article seeks to assess the importance of Chilean singer Lucho Gatica’s long playing record Inolvidables con Lucho (Odeón, 1958). It proposes three lines of argument. First, Inolvidables constitutes one of the first Latin American LP albums unified in terms of repertoire –Mexican ‘canción romántica’ from the first half of the twentieth century–, and instrumental accompaniment –a small jazz ensemble featuring Mexican guitarist Arturo Castro–. As such, it demonstrates an understanding of the LP format in line with the one established by Frank Sinatra and Capitol Records. Second, the album adopts a practice associated with US women singers of recording standards accompanied by jazz guitar and bass. Third, the substantial, but under-recognized impact Inolvidables con Lucho had on the artists who developed bossa nova in Brazil in the late 1950s is considered.
Party, D. (2018). Inolvidables con Lucho Gatica (1958): A Jazz Tribute to Mexican Song. Revista Musical Chilena, 72(229), pp. 107–130. Retrieved from https://rchdt.uchile.cl/index.php/RMCH/article/view/50767
