Customer Reviews

More Than Mambo: The Introduction To Afro-Cuban Jazz

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If you love Latin music and you want to go back in time this is a great cd. If you are new to latin music and want to have a little background on it this is it. You have a lot of the big names in here including a jam (En el callejon) with Patato Valdes on congas, Cachao on bass and Arsenio Rodriguez on tres. Virgilio Marti does the vocals until taken over by Juan (Curva) Dreke an old street singer, in the true Cuban tradition. It's a great tune that tells of a rumble that is going to ocurr in an alley and a lot of tough people through out history and some superheroes are going to participate, at the end Superman comes in dancing guaguanco (a typical Afro-cuban dance). The vocals are great and Cachao does a great sound effect on the upright bass making it sound like the rumble of thunder when a storm is approaching. Tunes like this, that tell a story are what a true son is. That is why I liked Hector Lavaoe from Puerto Rico. This is just an example, the rest of the cd is great with guys like Cal Tjader, Machito, Chico O'Farrill, Eddie Palmieri, etc. Buy it you won't regret it.

Each track is a soulful rendition of yesteryear's hits in Latin music. These are old tunes performed by the giants of Latin Jazz. The richness of this album trascends cultures. I purchased this album on a whim as a member of a music club. I found musical excellence hidden from the general population.

Superb Afro-Cubano Latin Jazz with a touch of Cubano folk musica....far more interesting than Ry Cooder's attempts and with brilliante' sound quality! You must possess this double CD album if you are even but a mild enthusiast of this style of musica, that is fast becoming mucho popular and experiencing a resurgence and "rennaisance," if you will even in parts of the mainstream American lexicon!

This CD is all around excellent! I had bought this for only the rare song "Arrollando" by Machito and I wasn't expecting to find sooo many other equally amazing songs on this album. What a splendid surprise! I have a new appreciation for Mambo, especially the works of the one and only Cal Tjader :) If you want to learn more about Mambo or you are taking a class about Latin America and you need background music, BUY THIS ALBUM!