Mongo Santamaria - Up From The Roots

Year : 1972

Label : Atlantic

Genre : Latin Jazz

Style : Afro-Cuban Jazz

 

One of the main actor to the success of Afro-Cuban Jazz in the US with the standard "Afro-Blue" popularized by John Coltrane, Mongo Santamaria was also known as a major figure of fusion between latin beat and Soul music. "Up From the Roots", thirty years after his first work as a leader, is an ode to cuban percussions exploring the African roots of Caribbean music including various dances and songs from Guaguanco (En La Habana) to Mambo (Conga, Bata, Y Chequere) and Rumba (Me Buele La Muele). Titles include also typical Afro-Cuban Jazz track "Para Ti" and the funky "Jose Outside". It features Carter Jefferson & Bill Saxon (sax), Lew Soloff & Jon Faddis (tp), Eddy Martinez (p) - Eddie Rivera (b), Steve Barrios (ds).

Mongo Santamaria - Mongo' 70

Year : 1970

Label : Atlantic

Genre : Jazz, Latin Jazz

Style : Jazz Funk, Afro-Cuban Jazz

Mongo Santamaria was a popular session latin jazz percussionist who played in the fifties with the greatest Tito Puente or Cal Tjader among others. "Mongo' 70" is a crossover jazz album including latin grooves and pop/funk beats recorded with collaboration of pianist/arranger Earl Neal Creque from Pucho & His Latin Soul Brothers. Titles include the killer funk "March Of The Panther" composed by Sonny Henry, "Dedicated To Love" by John Hart,  the Afro-Cuban "Abolo Criollo", the killer pop "Yesterday's Tomorrow" & "Mo' Do" featuring guitarist Eric Gale, and six original compositions by E. N. Creque (whose "Windjammer", a variation of "The Windjammer" originally composed for Grant Green). Mongo is supported by a trio of percussionists formed by Julio Colazzo, Osvaldo Martinez & Pelayo Diaz.