1982’s “Born” is the first of two albums released by Colombian rock band Ship (the second one released independently in 2018). Although rock has never been fully supported by Colombian record companies, there have been plenty of productions of this style of music in the country. Many of them have great music but not so great sound, or vice versa. But “Born” is in my opinion the only Colombian rock album that meets the minimal requirements to be considered a great production in both departments among rock albums made at the time when artists depended on big record companies to release their music (pre-Internet era). The album has nine original songs plus a cover of “Look Through Any Window” by The Hollies.

Part of the quality of this production resides in the fact that then-recently founded Fonovisión International Studios (now Audiovisión) had renowned record producer and engineer Eddie Kramer as technical advisor. Actually, I think (not sure) two tracks from “Born” (B1 and B3) were recorded by him at Fonovisión in Bogotá. Tracks A1 and B4 were recorded by Jerry Thichava at Quadradial Studios in Miami (the whole album was mixed at Quadradial as well), and the LP was mastered at Criteria Recording Studios in Miami by Mike Fuller.

The core of the band in this production are Jorge Barco (literally “George Ship” – that’s where the band got its name from) on vocals, guitars and keyboards; Ignacio “Nacho” Pilonieta on bass and American drummer Joe Galdo. Guest musicians include guitarist Alexei Restrepo (RIP), his brother Mario on drums, Sergio Becerra on saxophone, bassist Richie Goldman (Quadradial sessions), Larry Dermer on keyboards (Quadradial sessions) and brothers Scott and Chuck Kirkpatrick on backing vocals (Quadradial sessions – B4).

SHIP – BORN

(00:00) Video intro

SIDE A:

– (00:14) 01. Night In The Neighborhood
– (05:49) 02. Long Days
– (09:48) 03. Looking For Adventure
– (12:20) 04. Cali Girls
– (15:38) 05. To A Brother

SIDE B:

– (20:48) 06. No More Games To Play
– (24:23) 07. The Loved One
– (28:39) 08. Revelation? Complexion? Devolution?
– (31:31) 09. Look Through Any Window
– (33:53) 10. Always In Time

Numark TTXUSB turntable – Nagaoka MP-500 phono cartridge – ART DJPRE II phono stage preamp – Vinyl record vinilo LP