Discos Fuentes is a record label based in Medellín, Colombia, South America. Founded in 1934 in Cartagena, Colombia, by Antonio Fuentes Estrada, Discos Fuentes was the country's first notable record label.[1][2] The label was instrumental in introducing Colombia to such Afro-rhythm genres as cumbia, fandango, merengue, porro, salsa and rock and roll.[3][4] The label also helped forge the early careers for such musicians and composers as Guillermo Buitrago, Rafael Escalona, and Julio César Bovea.

Discos Fuentes
Founded1934
FounderAntonio Fuentes Estrada
GenreLatin, cumbia, salsa
Country of originColombia, South America
LocationMedellín, Colombia
Official websiteOfficial website

Discos Fuentes has often been described as Colombia's version of "Motown", peaking in the 1960s and early 1970s.[1] The label achieved a series of firsts for Colombia: the first compilation album (1960) and the first Compact Disc release (1987).[2]

After the death of the label's founder, Antonio Fuentes Estrada, in 1985, the company expanded into video production and purchased several other music labels, including Discos Tropical and Curro.[2]

US distribution

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In the United States, the manufacture and/or distribution of Discos Fuentes releases was eventually handled by Miami Records, a Miami, Florida-based label specializing in Latin American music.[5] Formed in 1950 by Colombian immigrant, Carlos Diaz-Granados, Sr., Miami Records also managed the manufacture and/or distribution of Latin music for other South American labels as well as for such American labels as Columbia Records.[5]

Select artists

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Discos Fuentes LP record

References

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  1. ^ a b "Global hit: The Golden Age of Discos Fuentes, 1960–76". The World. June 2007. Retrieved 5 January 2008.
  2. ^ a b c "Discos Fuentes Record Label". SalsaArtists.com. Retrieved 5 January 2008.
  3. ^ K. Leander Williams (March 2007). "Album review: Colombia! The Golden Age of Discos Fuentes, 1960–76". Time Out New York. Archived from the original on 2013-02-04. Retrieved 5 January 2008.
  4. ^ Vega, Luis Daniel. "Una idea descabellada: instantáneas del rock en Bogotá (1957 - 1975)". bibliotecadigitaldebogota.gov.co (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  5. ^ a b A brief history of Miami Records. 10 July 1965. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
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