Caldera was an American band that combined jazz, funk, and rock with Latin music. Return to Forever and Weather Report influenced Caldera, but its members were also influenced by soul, Afro-cuban, salsa, samba, and Peruvian music.[1]

Caldera
OriginNew York City
GenresJazz fusion
Years active1976–1979
LabelsCapitol/EMI
Past membersEduardo del Barrio
Jorge Strunz
Steve Tavaglione
Carlos Vega
Mike "Baiano" Azevedo

Biography edit

Members of Caldera, which was led by keyboardist Eduardo del Barrio and guitarist Jorge Strunz (Strunz & Farah), came from all over Latin America as well as parts of the United States. While bass player Greg Lee and saxophonist Steve Tavaglione were US born, other members were born in Costa Rica (Strunz), Argentina (Del Barrio), Cuba (drummer Carlos Vega), and Brazil (percussionist Mike "Baiano" Azevedo).

In 1976, Caldera signed with Capitol and recorded its self-titled debut album, which was followed by Sky Islands in 1977, Time and Chance in 1978, and Dreamer in 1979.[2] Larry Dunn of Earth, Wind & Fire co-produced Sky Islands.[3] Caldera's song "Out of the Blue" reached No. 95 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart in January 1977.[4] Time and Chance reached No. 46 on the Billboard Best Selling Jazz LPs chart in October 1978.[5] "Ancient Source" was sampled by American rapper Joey Badass on his song "95 Til Infinity". "Ancient Source" was also sampled by Rick Ross on his 2010 effort Teflon Don for the song "Maybach Music 3" featuring T.I., Jadakiss, and Erykah Badu.[6] All but the band’s third album were reissued on CD.[7]

The band separated in 1979. However, most of Caldera's members kept busy long after its breakup. Strunz went on to form the guitar duo Strunz & Farah with Iranian/Persian guitarist Ardeshir Farah, while Del Barrio worked with artists such as Earth, Wind & Fire, Stan Getz and Dianne Reeves throughout the 1980s and 1990s.[8][9][10][11]

Discography edit

References edit

  1. ^ Farbey, Roger (4 July 2019). "Caldera: Caldera / Sky Islands | Jazz Journal". Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  2. ^ "2 Guitarists Seek Out the True-Blue Notes of Artistic Integrity and Audience Appeal". Los Angeles Times. 1989-08-25. Retrieved 2020-03-25.
  3. ^ Kovarsky, Jerry (8 November 2018). "The Art of Synth Soloing: Larry Dunn". KeyboardMag. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  4. ^ "Billboard Hot Soul Singles". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1977-01-22.
  5. ^ "Billboard Best Selling Jazz LPs". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1978-10-28.
  6. ^ "Joey Bada$$'s 95 Til' Infinity' - Discover the Sample Source". WhoSampled. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  7. ^ "Caldera Albums and Discography". AllMusic.
  8. ^ Henderson, Alex. "Caldera Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 2007-07-15.
  9. ^ "Dianne Reeves". NEA. 2017-06-12. Retrieved 2020-03-25.
  10. ^ Williams, Chris (2012-11-21). "'That Groove Was Undeniable': Making Earth, Wind & Fire's 'All 'N All'". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  11. ^ "Eddie Del Barrio". GRAMMY.com. 2019-11-19. Retrieved 2020-03-26.