Track Listing

1. Congo Mulence - Machito
2. El Sabroson - Poncho Sanchez
3. Rumdrum - Tomas R. Einarsson
4. Cha Cha Cha - Tito Puente
5. La Clave, Maraca Y Guiro - Chico Alvarez
6. Summertime - Ray Barretto
7. Steppin' With T.P. - Hilton Ruiz
8. Cuando Se Acabara - Manny Oquendo & Libre
9. Trompeta En Montuno - Chocolate Armenteros
10. Guajira Dubois - The Bryan Lynch/Eddie Palmieri Project

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3449 in Music
• Released on: 2007-06-26
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Album Description
A mixture of Afro-Cuban rhythms and jazz style come together on Latin Jazz, a lively collection of songs by masters of the genre.

The artists featured on Latin Jazz represent an honored cast of musicians ranging from early pioneers of the genre to those who have helped it remain a viable force for more than 60 years. Machito, a contemporary of Dizzy Gillespie and Duke Ellington, was a pioneering bandleader who helped deepen the bond between Afro-Cuban music and American jazz. His classic track "Congo Mulence" opens the album and features fellow jazz legend Cannonball Adderley. Other legendary figures on the album include Tito Puente, whose mastery of the timbales combined with old-fashioned showmanship kept his music fresh and relevant over the years, and Eddie Palmieri, whose piano techniques put him in the same league as jazz legends Thelonious Monk and McCoy Tyner. He teams here with Brian Lynch on "Guajira Dubois," a game of musical tag between Palmieri's piano and Lynch's trumpet.

The driving rhythm behind most Latin jazz comes from its powerful percussion, and Latin Jazz showcases some of the finest in this field. Master conguero (congo player) Poncho Sanchez leads one of the most popular Latin jazz groups in the world. His seasoned ensemble contribute the cool energy of "El Sabroson", while Ray Barretto covers the classic "Summertime." Considered the "godfather of Latin jazz," Barretto was the first Latino to have a Latin hit on the American Billboard Charts.

Other luminaries on the album include Hilton Ruiz, a former child prodigy who appeared at Carnegie Hall at the age of 8, Chocolate Armenteros, the legendary Cuban trumpet player, and Manny Oquendo & Libre, who represent a multigenerational dynasty of Latin music. Icelandic double-bassist Tómas R. Einarsson, and New York icon Chico Alvarez round out the collection.

Customer Reviews

Music with mojo
Latin jazz has a long&storied presence in American music. From Carlos Santana dabbling in jazz fusion despite Clive Davis' discouragement to the current popularity of Bebel Gilberto and the J.Lo/Marc Anthony biopic about salsa singer Hector Lavoe, Latin flavors have spiced up American jazz.

Putumayo's "Latin Jazz" is an excellent sampler of the genre,beginning with a 1957 song from Machito and Cannonball Adderley,and ending with a track from the Latin Jazz Grammy winning Brian Lynch/Eddie Palmieri Project. It's as sweet as Cuban rum,as spicy as mojo sauce-this compilation has mojo.

Poncho Sanchez's "El Sabroson" (the flavorful one) is a fitting song for this album;it's Sanchez at his spicy,percussive best. Tomas Einarsson,an Icelandic double bass player,gives a chill vibe to "Rumdrum." The late Tito Puente's "Cha Cha Cha" shows why he is considered a master of Latin jazz. Chico Alvarez's "La Clave,Maraca y Guiro" has a joyous interplay between the three staples of Cuban percussion. Ray Barretto's cover of "Summertime" is perfect for a sultry summer day. The late Hilton Ruiz,who tragically passed away on his way to a Hurricane Katrina benefit, contributes the steamy,sexy "Steppin' with TP",a tribute worthy of Tito Puente. Manny Oquendo&Libre have a jazzy song addressing injustice&inequality. Chocolate Armenteros lives up to his name with a smooth,flavorful track. The closing "Guajira Dubois" has delightful improvisation&interplay between pianist Eddie Palmieri and trumpeter Brian Lynch.

"Latin Jazz" is one of Putumayo's few great compilations of 2007;it's also a rarity in being primarily instrumental. It clocks in an hour,with songs ranging from three to ten minutes long. It's savory,and worth enjoying over a languid summer afternoon,complete with mojitos.

Afficionado
Great mix of latin jazz sounds that provide both volumn and balances. A great addition to your world music collection.

fabulous cd
I bought this for my daughter but I love listening to it as dinner music:) We love dancing to the music on this cd. I have now given it several times as a birthday gift and all have loved it.