In the late 1960s, the coastal city of Paramonga, just a three-hour
drive north of Lima, gave rise to a vibrant music scene shaped by surf,
rockabilly, and tropical sounds. Among its protagonists were two
musicians, Víctor Ramírez and Maximiliano Chávez, who, with their
psychedelic guitars, Fender amplifiers, and wah-wah pedals, would define
not only their own sound but also shape the musical identity of the
region.
Under the mentorship of their manager, Néstor “Romanito” Robles, the two
guitarists added a few remarkable percussionists to the lineup and
formed Los Orientales. Their debut single, "Lobos Al Escape,” recorded
in 1970, reached the very top of the Peruvian charts, catapulting the
band to national fame and spreading their electrifying cumbia throughout
the country. Despite this early success, internal tensions led to a
split between Víctor and Maximiliano, resulting in two rival groups with
the exact same name.
Seeking wider recognition, Los Orientales de Paramonga of Víctor Ramírez
- the band featured in this project — traveled to Lima and signed with
Sono Radio, the country’s leading label. Under the direction of
Argentine producer Enrique Lynch, they recorded a series of successful
singles before releasing their debut album,
"Con Sabor Tropical," in 1972. Blending cumbia with guaracha, salsa,
and guaguancó, the band gained national acclaim and expanded their
audience through relentless touring.
Their follow-up album "Tremendo Ritmo" from 1973 further cemented their
reputation, incorporating vocal arrangements and aiming to rival top
tropical acts of the era. Known for their electrifying live performances
— often playing multiple venues in a single night — they eventually won
over audiences in the capital after dominating northern Peru.
By the mid-1970s, after several releases including “Ritmo Para Ti”,
Ramírez concluded his chapter with Sono Radio and continued evolving
musically, later embracing emerging styles such as chicha and
experimenting across genres. His former counterpart, Maximiliano Chávez,
withdrew from professional music altogether.
Today, Víctor Ramírez lives in Genoa, Italy, leaving behind a legacy as
one of Peru’s most innovative and versatile musicians — an artist who
helped shape modern cumbia while never forgetting his roots.
The seven songs on Side A of this compilation are from the LP “Con Sabor
Tropical”, and the six songs on Side B are from the LP “Tremendo
Ritmo”, while Sides C and D are compilations drawn from their 45 RPM
singles. Together, these recordings offer a complete journey through the
sound and spirit of Los Orientales de Paramonga at their peak.
Tracklist:
1. San Patricio
2. Buscando La Zorra
3. Chiquilla En Onda
4. Bailando Con Betty
5. Guajira Oriental
6. A-Chi-Li-Pu
7. Te Gusta Como Azucar
8. Viajando Con Un Loco
9. El Guarda Caballos
10. El Monito Y La Jirafa
11. Siempre Contagiando
12. El Botecito
13. Paseando En El Bosque
14. El Metiche
15. El Romanito
16. Mi Guajira Te Llama
17. Guajira Caliente
18. Sapos Al Agua
19. Me Voy Pa, La Montana
20. El Hombre Lobo
21. La Ronda De Los Enanos
22. Tuco Y Tico
23. Onda Tropical
24. La Playa Me Voy Cantando
25. La Chica Del Bikini Rojo
