Customer Reviews

Our Man in Havana

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

 

 

If you are used to the fusion and jazz oriented Mongo then this album presents the other side of Mongo: traditional Cuban setting. Is actually two albums in one, the first is a conjunto ensemble doing some terrific sones, cha-chas, etc. the other is a traditional rumba setting. Both are great but the rumbas are among the finest on record with great singing, feeling and of course 'Mongo en el quinto'. My favorite "Agua Limpia Todo" with the great Carlos Embale, Merceditas Valdez and el Viejo Macucho.

At the insistence of my friend Carlo, I revisited "Our Man In Havana" on the 45th anniversary of this delightful album (actually, I should say two albums, because they took two albums and put them onto one disc and then made one album!), and rediscovered the magnificence of Mr. Santamaria's shedding and leaving behind (if only for the moment) America and its influences as he escaped to less visible and more traditional Cuban setting. This album has inspired me to do the same!

Mr. Santamaria's expert leadership, the bongos (Willi Bobo!), the vocal work by Carlos Embale and 'Agua Limpia' and 'Complicaciones', the toying a bit with the cha-cha sound..I should say that our world today could (perhaps) use a bit of more the mood of the music (and not Mr. Castro!) from Cuba in the late 50's and early 1960's!

Mongo Santamaria (RIP) was a great conguero , WORD !!!!

Viva la musica cubana !

I ordered this item two day shipping and it has been over two weeks and now is when it says that it will ship. I'm no longer in the US please contact me at my email to give my out of the country address.