The Children Of Quechua - El Condor Pasa [1971]

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The Children Of Quechua - El Condor Pasa [1971]

Released in 1971 on the German budget label Europ, El Condor Pasa by The Children of Quechua is a curious and collectible LP that blends global folk standards with soft psych and easy listening textures. The group itself appears to be a studio ensemble assembled by Miller International Schallplatten GmbH, based in Quickborn near Hamburg, with musical arrangements credited to Hesslein. No individual performers are named, adding to the album’s mystique.

The title track, “El Condor Pasa,” originally composed by Daniel Alomía Robles, is rendered here with flute-heavy instrumentation and a reverent tone, setting the mood for a set that’s more about atmosphere than authenticity. The rest of the LP is a patchwork of international folk songs and pop covers, including “Guantanamera,” “Sky Boat Song,” “Greensleeves,” and even “In the Summertime” by Mungo Jerry. There’s also a standout original, “A Bird’s Afternoon,” credited to Brac, which adds a slightly more experimental edge to the otherwise mellow proceedings.

Pressed in Germany, with a variant issued in Italy was distributed under the GEMA rights society. Despite its budget origins, the album has gained traction among collectors for its eclectic track list and outsider charm. It’s especially sought after by fans of library music, global folk compilations, and soft psych rarities.

While not groundbreaking musically, El Condor Pasa by The Children of Quechua offers a snapshot of early ’70s European studio culture trying to tap into global folk trends. Its anonymity, cross-cultural ambition, and gentle production make it a quiet gem for archivists and crate diggers alike. (B)

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Track list

01 Children of Quechua - El Condor Pasa 2:30

02 Children of Quechua - Yellow River 2:57

03 Children of Quechua - Guantanamera 3:23

04 Children of Quechua - Go Tell it on The Mountain 2:40

05 Children of Quechua - All My Trials 2:10

06 Children of Quechua - Sky Boat Song 2:25

07 Children of Quechua - In The Summertime 2:43

08 Children of Quechua - The House of The Rising Sun 2:52

09 Children of Quechua - Havah Nagilah 1:48

10 Children of Quechua - A Bird's Afternoon 4:10

11 Children of Quechua - La Golondria 2:34

12 Children of Quechua - Greensleeves 2:46

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