Track Listing

1. Fuego Cubano (Cuban Fire)
2. Congo Valiente (Valiant Congo)
3. Recuerdos (Reminiscences)
4. Quien Sabe (Who Knows)
5. Guera Baila (The Fair One Dances)
6. Suerte de los Tontos (Fortune of Fools)
7. Tres Corarones (Three Hearts) [*]
8. Maliba Moonlight [*]
9. Dangon [*]
10. Carnival [*]
11. Wagon [*]
12. Early Hours (Lady Luck) [*]

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #80403 in Music
• Released on: 1991-06-04
• Number of discs: 1

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

Outstanding and addictive
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.

Lawdy, that's good stuff
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.

Whatever happened to Johnny Richards?
I bought this album in 1957. It's better today than it was almost 50 years ago. It's probably the only Kenton/Richards collaboration where the former relinquishes control.Richards makes his main statement here but he also shines on two other currently unavailable items; Something Else and Wide Range Cuban Fire is not only Kenton at his best but music at it's best. It's an inspirational piece.