The Latin Brothers

The Latin Brothers is a Colombian salsa orchestra formed in Medellín in 1974 by bass player and bandleader Julio Ernesto Estrada Rincón, famously known as Fruko. The group was kickstarted by Discos Fuentes label owners Pedro and José María Fuentes, who envisioned the ensemble as an answer to the competitive salsa scene of their era. In 1974, with the combined talents of original lead singer Piper Pimienta, Joe Arroyo, and Fruko, The Latin Brothers made their official debut with the album El Picotero, followed closely by other commercially successful LPs such as Dale al Bombo (1975), Te Encontré (1976), and Báilame Como Quieras (1977). During this time, the band hit their stride through hit singles such as "A la Loma de la Cruz," "Dale al Bombo," "Patrona de los Reclusos," and "Las Caleñas Son Como las Flores," which in time became a de facto anthem for the city of Cali. Despite several lineup changes over the following decades, The Latin Brothers continued delivering their vibrant blend of salsa on albums like ¡Para Bailar! (1986) Salsa y Son Caribe (1988), Nuestra Salsa (1991), and Renaciendo (1997), also acting as a platform for vocalists Gabino Pampini, Wilson Saoko, Morist Jiménez, and Joseito Martínez. Following lead singer Piper Pimienta's death in 1998, Fruko's son Julio Estrada López took the reins and became the band's musical director.

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