Grupo Sombras

In the late 1970s keyboardist Juan Zapana joined forces with drummer Pascual Benítez to launch the Argentine six-piece tropical ensemble Grupo Sombras. Shortly after the musicians relocated from Jujuy to Buenos Aires, the group issued the EP Bailando Con El Grupo Sombras and moved 10,000 copies without promotional support. The arrival of vocalist Antonio Rios paved the way for the band’s first album, A Todo Baile, whose singles “Vibrando” and “La Mala Gata” quickly rose on domestic charts. Grupo Sombras also appeared on the 1989 various-artists collection Golpe Norteño. A contract with Magenta Discos yielded Dulce Amor, spotlighting vocals by Jorge Avila, and the follow-up releases Soñando Con Vos and Niña Caprichosa soon established the act as one of Argentina’s strongest commercial draws.