La Lupe - Fever / Ooh
Year Released: 1963
Genre: Latin, Funk / Soul, Rhythm & Blues
Description:
Fever / Ooh is a 7-inch single released by La Lupe in 1963 on the Mercury label. The release features two distinct tracks: “Fever” on the A-side and “Ooh” on the B-side, both highlighting La Lupe’s unique fusion of Latin soul, raw energy, and theatrical intensity.
The A-side, “Fever”, is a bold reinterpretation of the classic made famous by Peggy Lee. La Lupe transforms the tune into something entirely her own — delivering vocals that are at once sultry, explosive, and rhythmically sharp. Infused with Latin rhythms and her signature vocal exclamations, her version strips the song of its cool detachment and replaces it with emotional urgency and flair.
On the B-side, “Ooh”, written by Chris Towns, La Lupe leans more into her R&B influences. It’s a brief, smoldering track that lets her powerful vocal dynamics carry the weight — blending sensuality and control in a way few singers could. Though it’s less known than “Fever,” it stands as a testament to her versatility and ability to embody soul music with authenticity.
The single was produced by Bill Grauer and Larry Maxwell, with arrangements by Chris Towns. The instrumentation throughout is minimal but effective — leaving room for La Lupe’s commanding presence to dominate the mix. The rhythm section, subtle horn flourishes, and restrained percussion act as a stage for her performance rather than competing with it.
While Fever / Ooh wasn’t one of La Lupe’s commercial hits, it has become a cult favorite among collectors of Latin soul and early crossover recordings. It captures her at a moment of stylistic transition — balancing between the jazz-influenced boleros of her Cuban roots and the raw soul energy that would define her later work in New York’s boogaloo and salsa scenes.
Today, the single is valued not only for its rarity but for the snapshot it offers of a truly unique voice — one that could span genres, languages, and emotional registers with unmatched passion and power.