Customer Reviews

Conga Blue

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I disagree with the last review. On the contrary, this has emerged to me as the best Poncho Sanchez album. There are no weak cuts composed by the band (which does often happem), and the percussion is out of this world. It is true that the piano parts are weak, and have been since Charlie Otwell left the band, but where else do you have so much play on percussion during the montuno sections? The kind of percusive improvization you see on this album is badly needed in Latin Jazz. Yes the tempos or slow, but enjoy how the musicians weave through the music at the end of each cut, draw it out, and work with it. I prefer this to up tempo cuts with tight arangements. The percussion alone, which emerges strongly at the end of each tune, makes this album unique, and perhaps the most truly latin of all of Poncho Sanchez' work.

Yes, the tempo is slow, but Santamaria and Poncho on the same recording itself is enough to make this worth listening to. The conga interaction with the rest of the percussion and the rest of the instruments is flawless. I could listen to this album all day! I think that this ranks high on my list of Sanchez albums.

A truly superb album due to the collaboration with Mongo Santamaria (and the presence of a good horn section).

'Conga Blue' (the song) is extraordinary, while 'Dulce Amor' is beautifully rendered by very fine horn work. In other cuts, the congas highlight Sanchez's and Santamaria's talents. For example, 'Watermelon Man' is excellent (better than Santamaria's own rendition of this classic). The whole album sparkles with life.

For Poncho Sanchez aficionados, I believe this CD to be noticeably better than the very good "Chile con Soul" CD, because of Santamaria's participation and because Sanchez steps out and takes more risks, all of which work.

Highly recommended.

Latin-Jazz in sacd/multi-channel sound.Sign me up! There is very little latin-jazz available in the sacd format(and no salsa at all) So to be able to hear Pocho's spectacular conga drumming in full multi-channel glory is sonic nirvana! This is a great cd in any format but the sacd sonics elevate it above and beyond. Excellant production,latin percussion that will amaze and delight make this one a must have.

As far as I know, Mongo Santamaria came out of semi-retirement to play on this CD, and his presence adds greatness to an already very good concept album. "Besame Mama" is the vocal highpoint--so good it's chilling. Virtually every selection is a smoker.

I wouldn't just flat out say that this album doesn't rate a puchase, but I would say that I definitely rank Conga Blue far behind the absolutely fabulous live Latin Soul album and the ocasionally average but often fabulous Afro-Cuban Fantasy disc.

These recordings, other than a very few, just didn't have much flavor to them. The tempo of the album as a whole is much slower paced than the other listed recordings which is nice but doesn't really turn me on.

Check out Latin Jazz first then Afro-Cuban Fantasy and finally if you have to Conga Blue.

Sure, Watermelon Man (patterned after the Gerald Wilson recording) is fun, but the rest is unimaginative and uninspired. Mostly it's about the band leader's bongo solos, which are boring indeed. A genuine disappointment.