Cuban Fire!

Stan Kenton

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 4, 1991)
• Original Release Date: 1960
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B000005HH0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #61,829 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #17 in	Music > Indie Music > Pop > Instrumental Pop & Lounge
  #37 in	Music > Jazz > Orchestral Jazz
  #63 in	Music > Indie Music > Jazz > Swing Jazz

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Composer-arranger Johnny Richards created the music for this concept album, recorded in 1956. It required a very large band for its execution, combining Stan Kenton's usual brass emphasis with five Latin percussionists led by Willie Rodriguez on bongos. The results are admirable: music filled with heat and energy and sudden sharp contrasts in moods and voices. There are excellent solo contributions from a band that included trumpeter Sam Noto, trombonist Carl Fontana, and saxophonists Lennie Niehaus, Lucky Thompson, and Bill Perkins, but the real stars are Richards and the collective ensemble, who bring extraordinary precision and energy to a highly demanding score. The results are among the finest moments of Kenton's career, not only for the authentic use of Latin rhythmic elements but also for Richards's success in integrating extended composition techniques with jazz improvisers. The CD also includes five pieces by Richards and Gene Roland recorded in 1960 by the "Mellophonium" version of Kenton's orchestra. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding and addictive, February 18, 2001

By	Jon Warshawsky "Sinatra Guru" (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

While I have only recently become a Stan Kenton fan, I would recommend this album to ANYONE who appreciates jazz. It combines the hard-hitting brass that was Kenton's signature with the Latin rhythms (mentioned above) that swing nicely. The Johnny Richards arrangements and compositions really create an album that you will want to listen to all the way through -- LOUDLY! Critics held mixed views of some of Kenton's work, but I have yet to hear of anyone who would give this less than five stars.

If you have not yet listened to Stan Kenton, this is a great place to start. 'Cuban Fire' is energetic and innovative without going off the edge of experimentation. I have come to seriously enjoy Kenton's music on many albums, but this is good enough to be one of my 'desert island' selections. Even the bonus tracks are welcome, as they essentially maintain the style of the original album. Highly recommended.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lawdy, that's good stuff, January 9, 2001

By	Ralph K. Hillquist "benzieswede" (Benzonia, MI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this based on the previous reviews. To call them just faint praise is gross understatement. Even if you didn't study to Stan while in college (on vinyl no less), you will enjoy this CD. Given the opportunity whilst my wife was out shopping and the neighbor was gone, the Bose system was cranking out fabulous sounds (the cat did go hide under the bed). Absolutely a must-have if you appreciate Kenton.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BUY THIS NOW, June 8, 2000

By	Sussex Pond Pudding (Somewhere in the desert, CA) - See all my reviews

This is Kenton at his best, and that is saying a lot. He was one of the most innovative and exciting artists in the history of jazz. This album is pure Kenton, with powerful brass, a thundering rhythm section, and highly skillful arrangements. This disc includes some tunes from a later recording session that aren't quite as good as the actual Cuban Fire sessions but are a valuable bonus to an album that is essential for any music fan. This is a mandatory purchase.