Luaka Bop is a world music-oriented record label established by David Byrne, former guitarist/singer/songwriter of the art rock/new wave band Talking Heads. It is considered a semi-independent label, since it receives major-label distribution. The label was started in the late 1980s; in addition to Byrne's solo records, the label has put out albums by Los Amigos Invisibles, King Changó, Jim White, Shoukichi Kina, A R Kane, Tom Zé, Os Mutantes, Zap Mama , and Cornershop, among others. Luaka Bop has also been responsible for putting together several series of compilations representing sounds from around the world. Brazil Classics kicked off the label and a set of seven albums surveying eras and artists ranging from Samba to Tropicália. Ventures into Afro-Peruvian and AfroPean musics unearthed the talents of Susana Baca and Zap Mama, respectively. World Psychedelic Classics is made up of 4 albums and includes artists such as Shuggie Otis , Os Mutantes , Tim Maia as well as West African artists of the late 60's. Additionally, the label has released Cuba and Asia Classics

Byrne took the phrase "Luaka Bop" for his record label from the inner packaging of a specialty tea which is sold in England. (Luaka is the name of a tea importer. Luaka's "Broken Orange Pekoe" is packaged in a silver foil block; when the sleeve is removed, it reveals a white label stuck to the foil, reading "Luaka BOP".)

Albums

Compilations

• World Psychedelic Classics, Vol. 3: Love's a Real Thing
• Everything is Possible: The Best of Os Mutantes

Studio albums

Susana Baca

• "Travesías"
• "Espírituvivo"
• "Susana Baca"
• "Eco de Sombras: Echo of Shadows"

King Chango

• "The Return of El Santo"
• "King Chango"

Los Amigos Invisibles

• "The Venezuelan Zinga Son, Vol. 1"
• "Arepa 3000: A Venezuelan Journey Into Space"
• "The New Sound of the Venezuelan Gozadera"

Jim White

• "Drill a Hole in That Substrate and Tell Me What You See"
• "No Such Place"
• "Jim White"
• "Wrong Eyed Jesus"
• "SEARCHING FOR THE WRONG-EYED JESUS"

Nouvelle Vague

• "Band A' Part"
• "Nouvelle Vague"

Shuggie Otis

• "Inspiration Information"

Zap Mama

• "A Ma Zone"
• "Seven"
• "Sabsylma"
• "Adventures in Afropea 1"
• "Ancestry in Progress"

Kassin + 2

• "Futurismo"
• "Sincerely Hot"
• "Music Typewriter"

Tom Zé

• "Estudando o Pagode"
• "Postmodern Platos"
• "Fabrication Defect"
• "The Hips of Tradition]"
• "The Best of Tom Zé: Massive Hits"

External links

• Official site
• Myspace