It's a Beautiful Day: Soft Rock & Sunshine Pop from Peru 1971-1976 Import LP

MAG has been, since its foundation in 1953, an essential label in the music scene of Peru, allowing the development of the careers of both tropical artists and musicians of other genres. At the head was Don Manuel Antonio Guerrero, its founder, whose name helped form the acronym of the label itself (M.A.G.). In 2021 MAG was acquired by the Spanish company Distrolux SL, owner of the Munster and Vampisoul record labels, after years of previous collaborations in which some of the most emblematic titles in the catalog were already reissued for the international market: Nils Jazz Ensemble, Sonora Casino, Traffic Sound, Al Valdez, Pax...

Following 14 MAGníficos Bailables, comprising some of the best tropical music on MAG, this new compilation brings together songs recorded between 1971 and 1976, reminiscent of sunshine pop, folk-psych, and soft rock but with Peruvian touches. The lyrics range from youthful reflections, environmental awareness, paradigm changes to all shades of love that the youth of the day experienced. Unusual instruments and exceptional vocal play also feature in the ten original songs and two cover versions, all performed by Lima-based groups.

In chronological order, the earliest song comes from Telegraph Avenue, who recorded their debut album on the MAG label in 1971. Next comes "Tiempo En El Sol" (1972), by the Peruvian-Argentinean band Tarkus, which included in its lineup the bass guitarist and drummer of Telegraph Avenue. Again from 1972, We All Together (WAT) is the project that Saúl and Manuel Cornejo started after their last album with Laghonia, together with Carlos Guerrero, the son of MAG's owner. WAT originally intended to cover McCartney, taking advantage of the fact that the Wings records took a long time to be released in Peru. The female vocals on this album are provided by Monik, the artistic pseudonym of Mónica Guerrero, MAG's A&R director and Carlos's sister, who encouraged her to record some "test" songs that were soon released, including the anguished "The World Is Getting Worse," written by Carlos. "Estoy Brillando" is a gem of sunshine pop in Spanish recorded by FE 59 in 1973. "Cariño Grande" is a blistering huayno-milonga with Moog synthesizer by Miguel Ángel Ruiz Orbegozo, known as Zulu. And the list goes on and on... Also features Innovations, Sudamérica, Traffic Sound, Telegraph Ave, and Cerro Verde.