In 1970, the Virgilio Armas Trio released De Repente on the tiny Discos A&B label, very likely a one-off, self-financed project. Virgilio Armas recalls: “The nightlife in Caracas of the 1950’s and 1960’s inspired me to record an album in 1970, with songs influenced by the Jazz, Bossa and Latin genres. De Repente was created with my beloved Piano, and my long-time musical partners Rodolfo Buenaño (bass) and Guillermo Tariba (drums).” The style is very much influenced by the harder post-Bossa Nova ‘Balanço’ style of numerous Brazilian piano/bass/drum trios, and is easily equal to the best of them, while somehow also managing to incorporate a uniquely Venezuelan rhythmic sensibility. Highlights include ‘Petite Mambo’, ‘De Repente’ (Part 1 & 2), and ‘Venezuela En Fiesta’.
