Product Description:
Personnel includes: Mongo Santamaria (congas), Nino Rivera, Julio, Paquito, Pepito, Bol, Willie Bobo, Yeyito, Gustavito, Cheo Junco, Armando Raymact, Luis Santamaria, Merceditas Valdes, Machucho, Mario Arenas, Finco, Carlos Embale.
Recorded in Havana, Cuba.
Contains 2 LPs on 1 CD.
Recorded in 1960 on a visit to Havana on a break from his stint with the vibes player Cal Tjader, this outstanding double-CD set of Cuban jazz features the master conguero Mongo Santamaria in his element performing with some of the island's finest musicians on a selection of timeless, irresistibly danceable instrumentals. Also included is a fascinatingly varied set of percussion and vocal Santeria chants to various deities, as well as examples of Colombian and Mexican rhythms.
Entertainment Reviews:
Vibe - 12/99, pp.160-2
Included in Vibe's 100 Essential Albums of the 20th Century - "...a genius fusion of traditional 'charanga' and 'conjunto' styles. Salsa and Latin jazz start here."
