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Traffic Sound

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Psychedelic and prog rock band from Lima in Peru. Founded in 1967 by (vocals), (rhythm guitar), (sax), (Willy "Wilito" Barclay) (lead guitar), (bass) and (Luis "Lucho" Nevares) (drums). Freddy and Manuel had met in school and played in Los Hang Ten's. Freddy and his older brother Jose originally thought of founding Traffic Sound; the name was chosen because of their love for an actual traffic light, conquered after a wild night out and placed as a souvenir in the attic of the Rizo-Patróns house, where they rehearsed. After a year of practising and playing small private shows they tried their luck at Lima's psychedelic emporium The Tiffany, with great success. They recorded their first album A Bailar Go Go in 1968 for the MaG label, consisting of cover versions. On subsequent albums, they would include their own music - a fusion of rock with Andean and Afro-Latin sounds. 1969 saw the release of their 2nd album Virgin, all original material. It catapulted them to legendary status among lovers of psychedelia. In 1970 they recorded their 3rd LP for MaG, titled Traffic Sound aka. III aka Tibet's Suzettes. On it, they blend psychedelia with an Andean folk sound, evolving towards progressive rock. In 1971 Braniff International Airways organized the first South American Tour of a Peruvian band, and Traffic Sound was well received in demanding markets such as Argentina, Brazil and Chile. After the tour they switched to bigger label Sono Radio and released 4 singles. At this point Willy Thorne left the band and was replaced by (Miguel Angel Ruiz Orbegoso) on bass, with whom they recorded the Lux album. But during a massive strike of Sono Radio workers the master tapes disappeared, only to be found in 1996. This album is different to the previous ones, with the Andean influence more evident and some political concerns expressed. After a memorable concert in 1971 at the Teatro Segura in Lima together with the Contemporary Orchestra of Peruvian jazz pianist Jaime Delgado Aparicio, Traffic Sound eventually disbanded in 1972.