Chakachas

Belgian Latin Soul and Funk Band

Belgian based group of Latin soul and Afro Cuban studio musicians, founded in 1958 by bandleader Gaston Bogaert aka Tito Madinez (percussion) featuring Kari Kenton (vocals) from Cuba; Victor Ingeveldt (saxophone) a Dutchman from Liege; Charlie Lots (trumpet); Christian Marc (piano); Henri Breyre (guitar and backing vocals) and Bill Raymond (6) (bass guitar). Most of them were native to Schaarbeek (a district of Brussels), or nearby Charleroi, Willebroek and Liège. After a musical eclipse in the mid-sixties, the band is reassembled a few years later, in a new line-up and with a different sound; this time, the band's made up of session musicians, who are also part of other bands or projects (see also El Chicles, Chicken Curry & His Pop Percussion Orchestra, Plus, The S.S.O. Orchestra, Superfunk Special). The new Chakachas go for a mix of Latin/Soul/Funk/Jazz/Afro. The bulk of the songs is provided by Willy Albimoor and Nico Gomez. Their biggest hit will be "Jungle Fever" (1970). The Chakachas also recorded under the name Los Chicles.