Barrabas - Wild Safari (Afro Soul) - Orig French release 12" Vinyl LP Album

A Fusion of Funk, Rock, and Afro Soul – The Pioneering Sound of Barrabás

Fernando ArbeX pulled together 5 fellow musicians to form his own band later that year. At its formation, Barrabas was Tito Duarte, Miguel Morales, Ricky Morales, Ignacio Egana, and Joao Vidal. (Members changed occasionally; the most significant change occurred when vocalist Jose Luis Tejada was added to the lineup.) They spent two years refining their sound. A sound that was rich in funk and psychedelic rock, jazz and even disco. Their first album released in the U.S. was 1972's "Wild Safari" it spawned the radio hit "Woman."

Album Description:

Barrabas, a Spanish band formed in the early 1970s, is known for its unique blend of rock, funk, and soul music. Their 1972 LP album "Wild Safari" is considered a classic and remains popular among music lovers today.

Barrabas was formed in 1971 by a group of musicians in Madrid, Spain. The band's members included Jose Luiz Tejada (vocals), Miguel Morales (bass guitar), Ricky Morales (drums), Antonio "Dudu" Vazquez (percussion), and Juan Vidal (guitar). Their sound was influenced by American funk and soul music, and they quickly gained popularity in Spain.

In 1972, Barrabas released their first LP album, "Wild Safari." The album was recorded in London and produced by Fernando Arbex, who had previously worked with the Spanish group Los Bravos. The album's title and cover art were inspired by the band's fascination with African wildlife, and this theme is reflected throughout the music.

"Wild Safari" is a concept album that tells the story of an African safari. The album's opening track, "Wild Safari," sets the tone with its driving beat, funky bassline, and African-inspired percussion. The following tracks, such as "Try and Try" and "Never in This World," continue this theme with lyrics that evoke the thrill of the hunt and the danger of the wild.

"Wild Safari" was a critical and commercial success upon its release, both in Spain and internationally. The album's fusion of funk, soul, and rock music was innovative for its time and has influenced generations of musicians since. The album's use of African rhythms and percussion was also ahead of its time and foreshadowed the rise of world music in the decades to come.

Music Genre:

Disco, Afro Soul Music 

Album Production:

Produced by Fernando Arbex

Record Label:

RCA Victor 443.043 3G2VPS 2.009

Record Format:

12" Vinyl LP Record 165 grams vinyl

Year & Country:

1972 Made in France
Complete Track Listing of: Barrabas Wild Safari (Afro Soul)
    Side One:
  1. Wild Safari
  2. Try and Try
  3. Only for Men
  4. Never in this World
    Side Two:
  1. Woman
  2. Cheer Up
  3. Rock and Roll Everybody
  4. Chicco
Psychedelic album cover of Barrabás' 'Wild Safari' featuring a woman in a red floral dress surrounded by abstract, colorful patterns and musical elements.

The album cover of Wild Safari by Barrabás is a striking psychedelic artwork with vivid, surreal visuals. Dominating the center of the composition is a woman with long dark hair, sitting with her hands resting on her lap. She is wearing a red dress adorned with white floral patterns, and her expression is calm yet enigmatic. Surrounding her is a mesmerizing array of swirling colors—predominantly shades of orange, red, yellow, and green—creating a dreamlike, almost hallucinatory effect.

The background is layered with distorted images of musical instruments, including a saxophone and percussion, which appear blended into the abstract patterns. The typography is bold and vibrant: "BARRABAS" is displayed in large orange capital letters, while "WILD SAFARI" is split into two contrasting colors—"WILD" in bright blue and "SAFARI" in light blue. Above the band’s name, the words "AFRO SOUL" are written in yellow, reinforcing the album's musical style.

The "RCA" logo is prominently placed in the upper left corner, and "Victor Stereo" appears in the top right, indicating the record label and audio format. The overall composition gives a strong sense of motion and intensity, reflecting the energetic and fusion-heavy music of Barrabás.

Photo of Album's Back Cover  
Back cover of Barrabás' 'Wild Safari' album featuring a bold orange background, black and white band photos, and a tracklist.

The back cover of Wild Safari by Barrabás features a bold, high-contrast design with a bright orange background and black-and-white photography. The right side of the cover prominently displays the album’s tracklist in black text, with each song title followed by its runtime and songwriting credits. The album title is absent, but "BARRABAS" is written in large, uppercase letters at the top. The "RCA" and "Victor Stereo" logos are placed in the top left and right corners, respectively.

On the left side, two black-and-white photographs of the band members are arranged in a collage-like layout. The top photograph captures a moment of musical performance, featuring a guitarist, a bassist, a percussionist playing congas, and a seated female musician. The lighting in this image is dramatic, with shadows emphasizing the performers' movements. The bottom photograph is more relaxed, depicting the band members in a casual setting, smiling and interacting with their instruments—guitars, congas, and drums. One musician wears a cowboy-style hat, adding a distinctive visual element.

At the bottom of the cover, additional production details are printed in small black text, indicating that the album was produced by Fernando Arbex and distributed by RCA. The address "6, Rond-Point des Champs-Élysées – Paris" is also included, suggesting the album’s European distribution. The design of the back cover balances vibrant color with raw, energetic imagery, reflecting the fusion of rock, funk, and Latin influences in Barrabás' music.

 

Close-up of the vinyl record label for Barrabás' 'Wild Safari,' featuring an orange RCA Victor design with tracklist and production details.

This image is a close-up of the vinyl record label for Wild Safari by Barrabás, produced by Fernando Arbex and released in 1972 under RCA Records. The label is orange with black text and features the bold white "RCA" logo running vertically along the left side. At the top, "Face 1 Stéréo" is printed, indicating that this is the first side of the stereo version of the record. The catalog number "443.043" and matrix number "3G2VPS 2.009" are also present.

The right side of the label includes the "Victor" logo in white, signifying the RCA Victor brand. Below, the small "SACEM" stamp is visible, indicating rights management for music distribution in France. Additional legal and copyright information is printed at the bottom, stating that the record was made in France from master recordings owned or controlled by RCA Records.

The central hole of the vinyl is clearly visible, surrounded by a slightly worn-out area, indicating frequent use. The overall design of the label maintains a simple yet striking aesthetic, typical of RCA Victor releases in the early 1970s.

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