Chakachas (also known as The, Los or Les Chakachas and Los Chicles) were a Schaarbeek, Brussels-based latin funk band originally consisting of band leader and percussionist Gaston Bogaert, Kari Kenton (vocals, marimbas), Vic Ingeveldt (sax), Charlie Lots (trumpet), Christian Marc (piano), Henri Breyre (guitar) and Bill Raymond (bass). Having reached the top of the Belgian charts with 'Eso es el Amor'in 1958, other hits like 'Rebecca', 'Twist Twist' and the incredible 'Jungle Fever'followed. Containing a massive drum break and a very seductive vibe, this last song found its way to the soundtracks of films like'Boogie Nights', 'Next Friday' and 'Just Like Heaven', and was sampled by the likes of Public Enemy, 2 Live Crew, The Beatnuts, TOKiMONSTA, Panda Bear and many others. The song I'd like to highlight today, however, is 'Yo Soy Cubano', one of the tracks on the 1970 album 'Jungle Fever' - produced by the legendary Roland Kluger, arranged by Willy Albimoorand written by Nico Gomez (for all you Belgian cats: Raymond van het Groenewoud's dad). If you grew up in the 90s or dig Big Beat, you will definitely recognise the trumpet-break in 'Yo Soy Cubano' as it was sampled in 'Magic Carpet Ride' by Mighty Dub Katz (one of the many monikers Norman Cook aka Fatboy Slim used at the time). Kendrick Lamar-fans will no doubt think of the Hit-Boy-produced 'Backseat Freestyle', while Hyperdub-artist Morgan Zarate repurposed the same sample for his 'Katsu'. Not bad, for a bunch of Brussels studio musicians, right? Enjoy!
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