Customer Reviews

Mongo Santamaria - Greatest Hits [Bonus Tracks]

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

During his long and extensive career, Mongo Santamaria fused sensual Cuban rhythms with r&b and jazz, making him one of the most revered musicians of our time. This hits collection compiles sixteen of the percussionist's most essential recordings, and they all have "class" written all over them. Covering material from the mid to late 1960s, the music here conjures up images of a hot July beach party, tequilas and all. He admirably covers the Otis Redding classic "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay"--years before Michael Bolton had the chance to butcher it. There's also the groovy sax-flavored "Twenty Five Miles," the breezy "Fat Back," and "Cold Sweat." But this disc saves the best for last with the closing track, a 10 minute live recording of "Afro Blue." If you want to bear witness to the depth of Mongo's talent, then hear this jam, which is a memorable mix of Cuban percussion and traditional jazz. Thanks to the perfect harmony in which the band performs, "Afro Blue" is a brilliant piece of work that gets under your skin and stubbornly stays there. To be honest, I was introduced to Santamaria through my Dad, who was a huge fan of not only jazz, but particularly Latin-flavored jazz. When I learned of Mongo's passing, I revisited his work and decided to pick up this disc, which instantly gave me childhood memories. But even more important than that, this hits collection is a great survey that loudly answers the question, "What was so great about Mongo Santamaria?" The answer lies in this CD.

Contrary to other reviews of this album, I find Mongo in his element when applying his Latin rhythms to classic R&B. On most of these tracks it works, on some it REALLY works. If you're a fan of up-tempo, beat driven classic R&B you will love this collection.

Mongo Santamaria is one of the great percussionist of modern jazz. He made jazz more than just a listening experience. With Mongo playing you could move to the music in ways that other jazz forms did not allow.

Mongo Santamaria was one of the best latin jazz artists of his time. Rest in salsa heaven !!

This is the first Mongo Santamaria CD that I have owned. I just love it. Especially the Watermelon Man and the Fat Back.

Not a fan of Mongo Santamaria, particularly, I got this collection primarily for a copy of his pop hit, "Watermelon Man". I am pleased to have some of his other sounds. The striking girl in the picture was worth the $$.

The last cut, the exquisite 'Afro Blue' is worth the price of the CD or, at least, that is what I am telling myself now that I own it. 'Watermelon Man' adds the other star for nostalgia's sake and 'Chili Beans' is admittedly funky. What remains though is a strange excursion into commercial bugaloo and R&B - think 'Austin Powers' meets 'Beach Blanket Bingo' - actually painful to listen to. It must have been a case of an artist (get 'Afro Roots' or 'Sabroso') providing what his producers and market demanded. Danceability? If you're throwing a 'Retro-Retro 60's' party, this is the CD for it; bring your pink 'Palm Beach' sport coat and your madras shorts.

I love this cd from it's begin...

Cloud Nine - my fave on this...
We Got Latin Soul - keeps me on my feet...
El Pussy Cat - i just love it's rhythm...
Afro Blue - 'til it's end...

I would definitely recommend you buy it...

1960's: Early corporate controlled commercial "Latin-Jazz." Read the liner notes. Mongo did it for the opportunity Columbia offered him and for the bread! He was making a living doing what he loved, can't really bust his chops for that. But he was/is a talent and his band had a sound. Okay it's commercial... but so was just about everything else on the radio in the 60's. Think about it... 60's radio, Beatles, Honky Tonk, Commercial Jazz -- the 70's had some alternative/progressive stuff going on early, but then the suits took over... 80's commercialism, 90's commercialism... here we are 21st century... what have we got? 60's radio... commercial, "smooth jazz"... maybe Mongo was the smooth jazz of the 60's... wait, wasn't that the West Coast Jazz scene? Mongo is early Latin Jazz. Earth, Wind and Fire, Santana, Mandrill were all inspired by it. If you're into a heavy jazz experience... this ain't it brother and sisters. But it's ALL good!

Not that there is a direct correlation, but this is all packaging and no music. Mongo always has a good band, but he doesn't always make the best decisions when it comes to the choice of material.

Up-tempo cover tunes of R and B standards are not what he does best...