Aterciopelados Marks “El Dorado” 25th Anniversary with Live Edition Release

Aterciopelados celebrated the 25th anniversary of their iconic 1995 album “El Dorado” with a live edition, albeit delayed by a few years due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Colombian rock duo, including Andrea Echeverri and Héctor Buitrago, shared their journey of reimagining this pivotal work for contemporary times in an interview with Billboard Español.

Echeverri and Buitrago faced the challenge of updating the album’s ’90s essence for today’s audience while maintaining its original spirit. On March 15, they unveiled “El Dorado Live,” a fresh take on the album that captured international acclaim with hits like “Florecita Rockera.” The live recording, featuring all 16 original tracks, took place on April 22, 2023, in Bogotá and includes collaborations with Rubén Albarrán of Café Tacvba and Carlos Vives.

In a press statement, Vives expressed his admiration for Aterciopelados and highlighted the honour he felt in contributing to this project. The album’s release will be complemented by a 12-date North American tour, starting April 9 in Phoenix and concluding on April 27 in Toronto.

Reflecting on their beginnings, Echeverri and Buitrago recall starting Aterciopelados with punk rock and Colombian folk influences. “El Dorado” marked their breakthrough, earning international recognition for their unique sound and socially conscious lyrics.

With three Latin Grammy wins and five nominations, Aterciopelados has made notable appearances on the Billboard charts, including their 2001 album “Gozo Poderoso.” They continue to create, having released “Tropiplop” in 2021 and the single “Liberté” in December 2023, with plans for a new album by year-end.