Editorial Reviews

This is ground zero for a feverish meeting of jazz, rare groove, and Latin rhythms. Indeed, while it may boast tracks by artists with an abundance of other recordings available, Latin Jazz Dance Classics Vol. 1 is that rare gem among compilations -- mostly from the 1960s, each of these evocative, seminal sides captures a musical time and place where commercialism is left out in the hallway (though not necessarily banished from the house) and innovation and groove reign supreme. Nearly all of the legends of Latin jazz are here. Pucho and his Latin Soul Brothers charge through the cinematic Afro-Cuban maelstrom of "Swing Thing." Lively piccolo and fuzzy analog organ put the funk into Ray Barretto's hard-charging jam session "Descarga La Moderna." Vibist extraordinaire Cal Tjader gets into a fiercely mellow groove on "Mambero," culminating in a roughneck, prehip-hop-jazz jaunt that sends Digable Planets downstairs for a late pass. Tenor man Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis's "Guanco Lament" is a case study in marrying jazz melody with clave, while Louie Bellson's shadowy "Sentido En Seis" features Cuba's king of the lower register, Cachao, in a rare spot playing Fender Rhodes piano. Tito Puente and Orestes Vilato duel on timbales on Terry Gibb's swinging "Kick Those Feet." Thank the good folks at the CuBop label for pulling these rare and vital cuts out from the vaults of Fantasy Records to shine once again. Abraham Velez, Barnes & Noble

Customer Reviews

• Listener Rating: