Barrabás - Wild Safari (1971)

Barrabás - Wild Safari (1971)

Tracklist front / back album covers

"Wild Safari" (Fernando Arbex) – 5:01

"Try and Try" (Arbex) – 6:15

"Only for Men" (Arbex, Enrique Morales) – 3:32

"Never in This World" (Arbex) – 3:27

"Woman" (Arbex) – 5:04

"Cheer Up" (E. Morales) – 3:51

"Rock and Roll Everybody" (Arbex, E. Morales, Miguel Morales) – 3:40

"Chicco" (E. Morales) – 3:42

Barrabás Band Members / Musicians

Iñaki Egaña – lead vocals, bass guitar

Enrique "Ricky" Morales – lead guitar, backing vocals

Miguel Morales – rhythm guitar, bass guitar, backing vocals

Ernesto "Tito" Duarte – saxophone, flute, percussion

Juan Vidal – keyboards

Fernando Arbex – drums, backing vocals, production

Wild Safari is a 1971 album by the Spanish group Barrabás, released outside Spain in January 1972. The album was released in some countries under the simple title Barrabás, with a different sleeve design. It was also known as Música Caliente after its subtitle on the back sleeve.

The tracks "Woman" and "Wild Safari" were released as singles in various countries, and "Woman" became a club hit in Europe, Canada and the USA.

"Wild Safari" was used as the background music for a major scene in HBO's 2016 'Vinyl' series. (Season 1, Episode 8)

Barrabás are a Spanish musical group, most successful in the 1970s and 1980s when they were led by drummer and producer Fernando Arbex. The group's musical style was initially Latin rock with jazz and funk influences, and later developed into a more disco-orientated sound.

Barrabás Band Members / Musicians

Fernando Arbex (1941–2003) – drums (1971–72), production

Iñaki Egaña (1948–) – bass guitar, vocals (1971–72, 1983–)

Ernesto "Tito" Duarte (1946–2003) – saxophone, flute, drums, percussion (1971–77, 1980–2003)

Ricky Morales (1945–) – lead guitar, vocals (1971–77)

Miguel Morales (1949–) – guitar, bass guitar, vocals (1971–77, 1983–)

Ernie Garrett (d. 1978) – guitar, vocals (1977)

Juan Vidal (1945–) – keyboards, vocals (1971–77)

José Luis Tejada (1945–2014) – vocals (1972–77, 1980–83)

José María Moll (1946–) – drums (1972–74, 1980–)

Daniel Louis (1946–d.) – drums (1974–77)

Armando Pelayo (1948–) – keyboards (1980–83)

Jorge Eduardo "Koky" Maning – guitar, vocals (1980–83)

Jesús "Susi" Gordaliza – bass guitar, vocals (1980–83)

Barrabás Discography Full

1971 Wild Safari (AKA Barrabás)

1973 Power

1974 ¡Soltad a Barrabás! (AKA Release Barrabás or Hi-Jack)

1975 Heart of the City (AKA Check Mate)

1975 Watch Out (AKA Desperately)

1977 Barrabás (AKA Swinger or Watch-Out)

1981 Piel de Barrabás

1982 Bestial

1983 Prohibido

1994 Barrabás Power – Abraxa

1997 Grandes Éxitos

1999 Vive

Barrabás – Wild Safari (1971): Pioneering Latin Rock, Funk, and Disco Fusion

Released in 1971, Wild Safari is the debut album by Barrabás, the Spanish band that would become a pioneering force in the fusion of Latin rhythms, funk, rock, and early disco. With infectious grooves, danceable rhythms, and an adventurous approach to genre, Wild Safari helped establish Barrabás as one of Spain’s most internationally recognized bands of the 1970s.

At a time when progressive rock, soul, and funk were evolving in different directions worldwide, Wild Safari stood out for its polyrhythmic percussion, horn arrangements, and melodic hooks, setting the template for a new wave of European danceable rock.

Band Background and Formation

Barrabás was formed in Madrid, Spain, in 1971, emerging from the ashes of the band Los Brincos, one of Spain’s most popular pop-rock groups. Led by Fernando Arbex, a drummer and producer with a vision for blending Latin rhythms with international rock trends, Barrabás quickly developed a distinctive sound.

Their debut, Wild Safari, combined:

• Afro-Cuban and Caribbean percussion

• Funk-inspired bass lines

• Rock guitar riffs

• Horn-driven melodies

This hybrid approach allowed the band to appeal to both dance audiences and rock listeners, particularly in Europe and Latin America.

Musical Style and Sound

Wild Safari is a high-energy, rhythm-driven album. The key musical characteristics include:

• Latin percussion and timbales

• Funk bass grooves and syncopated rhythms

• Rock and psychedelic guitar

• Soulful vocal delivery

• Prominent brass and horn sections

Unlike many rock albums of the time, Wild Safari was designed for the dance floor as well as home listening, giving it cross-genre appeal and longevity in clubs.

The production emphasizes tight grooves and clear separation of instruments, allowing the rhythmic complexity to shine while maintaining a catchy, accessible sound.

Tracklist Overview

1. Wild Safari

2. Woman

3. Try and Try

4. Never in This World

5. Only for Men

6. Baby

7. Black Cotton

8. Rock ‘n’ Roll Band

The album balances instrumental experimentation with memorable vocal tracks, making it both musically adventurous and commercially viable.

Standout Tracks

“Wild Safari”

The title track became the band’s signature song, featuring a driving bassline, conga rhythms, and bold horn riffs. It perfectly encapsulates the band’s mission: to make rock music that moves both body and soul.

“Try and Try”

A funk-infused number with Latin percussion and catchy vocal hooks, demonstrating Barrabás’ ability to blend genres seamlessly.

“Black Cotton”

A slower, more soulful track, highlighting the band’s versatility and the richness of their arrangements.

Lyrical Themes

While much of Wild Safari emphasizes rhythm and groove, the lyrics explore:

• Love and desire

• Human relationships and emotions

• Playfulness and celebration

• Social observation

The lyrics are generally light and complement the energetic instrumentation, ensuring that the music remains accessible to an international audience despite language differences.

Fun Facts & Trivia

• Wild Safari was recorded in Madrid and London, reflecting the band’s European ambitions.

• The band’s leader, Fernando Arbex, had previously written hits for Spain’s pop scene, bringing a professional songwriting touch to Barrabás.

• Barrabás became one of the first Spanish bands to achieve international success in the early 1970s.

• Their music has been sampled extensively by modern funk, disco, and hip-hop artists.

• Wild Safari’s grooves influenced the emerging disco scene later in the 1970s.

Did You Know?

• “Wild Safari” was used in film soundtracks and TV commercials, extending its reach beyond Europe.

• Barrabás toured internationally following the release of this album, performing in Germany, the UK, and the U.S.

• The band’s blend of Latin, funk, and rock was considered groundbreaking in Europe at the time.

• Their use of brass and percussion set a template for other Latin-fusion rock bands.

• Barrabás would later gain further recognition in the U.S. disco charts with their mid-1970s releases.

Commercial Performance and Best-Selling Albums

While Wild Safari was not a massive mainstream hit, it established Barrabás as major players in European Latin-rock fusion. Its rhythmic innovation and crossover potential helped pave the way for subsequent commercial success.

Barrabás’ top-selling and best-known albums include:

• Wild Safari (1971) – Debut and international introduction

• Power (1973) – Featuring hits “Woman” and “Chameleon”

• ¡Soltad a Barrabás! (1974) – Dance-oriented grooves

• Heart of the City (1975) – Continued crossover success

• Watch Out (1975) – Consolidated their funky, danceable style

Tracks from Wild Safari remained staples of their live shows for years.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

Wild Safari helped define European Latin-rock fusion and influenced both the funk and disco movements in Spain and beyond. Its rhythmic innovation, horn-driven melodies, and catchy hooks made it appealing across national boundaries, at a time when few Spanish acts were recognized internationally.

Barrabás inspired subsequent Spanish and Latin artists to blend traditional rhythms with rock and pop, establishing a legacy that continues in modern Latin-fusion genres.

Most Famous Songs by Barrabás

• Wild Safari

• Woman

• Try and Try

• Black Cotton

• Rock ‘n’ Roll Band

• Chameleon (from Power, 1973)

“Wild Safari” remains their most iconic track, widely played on classic-funk and Latin-rock playlists worldwide.

Full Discography (Selected Studio Albums)

• Wild Safari (1971)

• Power (1973)

• ¡Soltad a Barrabás! (1974)

• Heart of the City (1975)

• Watch Out (1975)

• Barrabás (1977)

• Bestial (1982)

• Prohibido (1983)

• Desperately (1994)

Band Timeline

• Formed: 1971, Madrid, Spain

• Years active: 1971–1983, 1990s–present (intermittent)

• Status: Active with varying lineups

Keywords

Barrabás Wild Safari 1971 album, Wild Safari review, Spanish Latin rock bands, Barrabás discography, early 1970s European funk rock, Latin-fusion albums, classic disco-funk crossover, Barrabás signature songs