The (St Thomas) Pepper Smelter. Soul & Pepper.

Label: Discos Monterey – DM 007
Released: 2020 / 1969
Genre: Rock

Style: Psychedelic Rock

The much-bootlegged classic South American psychedelic freakbeat album, recorded in 1969 by Peruvian band The (St. Thomas) Pepper Smelter. Perhaps the story of the band is not well known, but their achievements were great—and international: editions of their sole LP were produced in Peru, Mexico, Brazil and Ecuador, and 45rpm singles were published in Mexico and Greece. St. Thomas Pepper Smelter was formed by Gerardo Manuel Rojas on vocals and tambourine, Beto Tataje on rhythm guitar and lead guitar, Juan Carlos Barreda on bass and vocals, Carlos Manuel Barreda on drums and backing vocals (all from the famous group Los Shains), and Freddy Macedo on keyboards. Their first single was a cover of ‘Purple Haze’ b/w one of their own compositions, ‘A New Summer.’ The band then began to record their only LP. That album contains twelve tracks—six written by the band, and the other half cover versions. The band’s music could be described as freak beat; in many ways, it is a preview of the garage /surf style of Los Shain’s, heading towards the heavy psychedelic rock of Gerardo Manuel & El Humo. At the time, St. Thomas Pepper Smelter simply called it „underground music.” Gerardo’s voice is soft in the band’s own songs, and aggressive on the cover tunes; his guitar style oozes fuzz. The foundation of bass and drums by the brothers Barreda is very powerful and strong; and the songs benefit from the layers of keyboard played by Freddy Macedo.

Tracklist
A1 In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
Written-By – Doug Ingle
Written-By – Doug Ingle
A2 Pepper's Boogaloo (El Boogaloo De La Pimienta)
Written-By – Beto Tataje, Gerardo Rojas (3)
Written-By – Beto Tataje, Gerardo Rojas (3)
A3 Strange Brew (Extraño Brebaje)
Written-By – Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce
Written-By – Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce
A4 Words Of Pain (Palabras De Dolor)
Written-By – Beto Tataje, Gerardo Rojas (3)
Written-By – Beto Tataje, Gerardo Rojas (3)
A5 People (La Gente)
Written By – M. Machine
Written By – M. Machine
A6 Heart Teaser (Corazón Embromado)
Written-By – Flavor (4)
Written-By – Flavor (4)
B1 Can You See Me? (¿Puedes Verme?)
Written-By – Jimi Hendrix
Written-By – Jimi Hendrix
B2 Answer (La Respuesta)
Written-By – Gerardo Rojas (3)
Written-By – Gerardo Rojas (3)
B3 Betty Boom-Little Monster-Doggie And Peggie At The Witches Castle (Betty Boom, Monstrito Perrito Y Cicerón En El Castillo De Las Brujas)
Written-By – Beto Tataje, Gerardo Rojas (3)
Written-By – Beto Tataje, Gerardo Rojas (3)
B4 Hey, Joe
Written-By – Traditional
Written-By – Traditional
B5 Is My Guitar (Es Mi Guitarra)
Written-By – Carlos Martínez*
Written-By – Carlos Martínez*
B6 Raca-Gac
Written-By – Carlos Corazae, Carlos Martínez*