Banda el Recodo‘s 80th anniversary duets album, featuring “Despacito” singer Luis Fonsi, Spanish star David Bisbal and Mexico’s Yuri, has been pulled from all digital platforms shortly after being released by the iconic Mexican band.
On May 30, Entre Amigos went on sale and began streaming on platforms such as Pandora, Spotify and iTunes, but one day later the new album that celebrates the band’s musical milestone was being pulled.
In an exclusive interview with Billboard on May 26, which took place in Los Angeles, the band’s musical director and longtime member Poncho Lizárraga spoke at length about the new project, his family’s legacy and his desire to enter the new album for Latin Grammy consideration. The last day to submit was this week, on May 30.
Related
Trending on Billboard
As of early Friday afternoon, Entre Amigos was no longer available on digital platforms. A spokesperson for the label said there was no information to provide. A spokesperson with the Latin Recording Academy also declined to comment on the status of the album, saying “the entry process is fully confidential.”
By Friday afternoon, the absent album was the talk among industry music sources, including those at major platforms streaming the music.
“I wish we had it because it’s a good album,” said a source at a streaming platform familiar the new album, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. “The band is frustrated with the label because they are not getting the support they need.”
The Banda el Recodo-Universal/Fonovisa relationship has existed for more than 20 years, but it’s been strained in recent years, as technology has changed the way music is consumed, forcing labels to come up with new tactics in order to keep up. Billboard asked the Universal/Fonovisa spokesperson about the status of the band’s contract, but they declined to comment.
As the album was being streamed earlier this week, Bisbal took to his more than 10 million Twitter followers to announce his duet with Banda el Recodo and provided a link to the album, which is now expired.
“Surprise! It’s now available ‘Gracias por tu amor” performed by @davidbisbal with @ElRecodoOficial.”
Last year at the Latin Grammy Awards in Las Vegas, Banda el Recodo won best banda album for Ayer y Hoy, giving them a total of nine career wins. The group, regularly making the Billboard charts, was founded in 1938 by Cruz Lizárraga, who once said, “I will not rest until the music of Banda el Recodo is heard in all corners of the world.”
Lizárraga’s wife, María de Jesús Lizárraga, and their children have made sure the legacy continues. “The band has reached many hearts through the years and it all started with the vision that our father had,” Lizárraga said. “We’re proud of that.”
The band’s touring schedule is extensive with a show Friday (June 1) in Jerome, Idaho, followed by concerts in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Saturday and San Diego on Sunday. Banda el Recodo is scheduled to perform in Las Vegas on June 15, according to their official website.