Afro-American Latin [Original recording remastered]

Mongo Santamaria | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 4, 2000)
• Original Release Date: July 4, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00004U2GJ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #375,488 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Cuban-born conguero Ramón "Mongo" Santamaría is among the founding fathers of modern Afro-Cuban music. His composition "Afro Blue" is a jazz standard, his rendition of Herbie Hancock's "Watermelon Man" was a pop hit in the early '60s, and his powerful cross-rhythms propelled the grooves for Dizzy Gillespie, Cal Tjader, and Tito Puente. Here, Santamaría is backed by an all-star lineup featuring master conguero and santero Julito Collazo, Fort Apache drummer Steve Berrios, percussionist Osvaldo Martinez, trumpeter Lew Soloff, and flutist Hubert Laws.

The impact of these sessions (available for the first time) could easily have fueled the future of Latin jazz had they been released back in the day. Santamaría lays down some mean folkloric and Latin-R&B grooves on "Mi Reina Guajira," Marty Sheller's "Mambo Leah," and Norman Simmon's "Naked If You Want To." On "Philadelphia," saxophonist Sonny Fortune unleashes an incredible John Coltrane-tinged solo, and bassist William Allen's title track is an Afro-anthemic fusion of Harlem and Havana. The centerpiece of this thrilling set, though, is Santamaría's spirit-summoning drum tour de force, "Obatala," his song of praise to the powerful African God that has blessed him with an incredible career. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars me and you baby, all the way, September 3, 2000

By 

Jean Leprohon (Pincourt, Quebec Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Afro-American Latin (Audio CD)

I have many records and CD's from Mongo and this one contains a remake of "Me and you baby"... I remember hearing it at a discotheque about 20 years ago on the previous record (All strung out). I tried to find it then but could not. This piece included some of the most inspiring conga playing I ever heard. The emotions that Mongo succeed to transmit is just amazing. Anyone who enjoyes latin music should listen to this piece. I still would like to find the original... May be one day

Have great listening!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mongo - Unreleased and Unleashed!, August 7, 2000

By 

Thomas Pena (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Afro-American Latin (Audio CD)

MONGO - UNRELEASED AND UNLEASHED!

When you listen to this album by Mongo Santamaria and friends keep in mind that it was recorded way back in 1969. To put things in perspective, that was 31 years ago! When it was originally recorded the executives at Columbia records were expecting a commercial Latin Soul album. Not so. Unhappy with the results, the tapes were shelved and virtually forgotten about until now.

The end result is a potpourri of Santeria chants, Afro-Cuban Jazz, Funk and even a little Boogaloo thrown in for good measure. This is undoubtedly some of Mongo's best work. Featured musicians include an assortment of seasoned veterans such as Sonny Fortune, Steve Berrios, Hubert Laws, Lew Soloff, Victor Venegas, Mario Rivera, Ray Maldonado and Julito Collazo. Marty Sheller composed, directed and arranged the music.

I really appreciate and enjoy the high level of musicianship and diversity of this recording. I'm certain that it would have been a big success if it were released in today's global market. Moreover, it proves that Mongo was a man on top of his game and musically ahead of his time.

Least we forget, Mongo Santamaria is one of the founding fathers of Afro-Cuban music and a musical icon. Furthermore, he has had a tremendous influence on the worlds of Jazz, Funk and Rock music. His impact on these genres will be felt for generations to come.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Mongo's music, this is MONGO 101. Fortunately, many of Mongo's classic recordings are now available on CD. This one will make you a believer!

Perhaps this quote from the liner notes sums it up best:

Conguero god Mongo Santamaria's Chango mojo is so profound, So ancient-to-future-spirit-cosmic, So (two words deleted) low/high/wide- You-can't-get-under-over-around-it, That it be its own zeitgeist.

AMEN!

5.0 out of 5 stars Ahead of its Time, January 17, 2004

By 

Sidsel Roine (Lexington, KY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Afro-American Latin (Audio CD)

The fact that this recording sat in a recording studio archive for thirty years says a lot about the music business. Columbia didn't release Afro American Latin because the material wasn't what they were expecting; they were expecting another record of Latin soul covers, the type of material Mongo was covering in mid to late 60s. They didn't release this album because they didn't expect it to sell.

over thirty years later, listening to this record makes one question how out of touch these record executives must have been. Afro American Latin is quite possibly the finest body of Latin Jazz/funk that has yet been produced; it certainly is my favorite Mongo record. Included on this album are five incredible live versions of the studio tracks, recorded during a rehearsal show.

Attempts to describe the music seem futile; I can't describe transcendance, I can't put a label on genuius. Describing something as a masterpiece somehow makes it less so. I can only recommend this album and let the listener decide for themselves.