CAL TJADER — Black Orchid (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This CD has all of the music originally on the two LPs Cal Tjader Goes Latin and The Cal Tjader Quintet. Since each album had two sessions apiece, the CD does a fine job of giving one a sampling of the influential vibraphonist's popular Latin jazz groups of the era. Among the key sideman are flutist Paul Horn; Jose "Chombo" Silva on tenor; pianists Lonnie Hewitt, Vince Guaraldi, and Manuel Duran; and Mongo Santamaria and Willie Bobo on percussion. The music (a mixture of Latinized standards and newer originals) is quite appealing, showing why this infectious blending of bop with Latin rhythms has always been one of the most accessible styles of jazz. Scott Yanow
Tracklist  :
1    Mi China 2:15
Mongo Santamaría
2    Close Your Eyes 3:11
Bernice Petkere
3    Mambo at the "M" 4:39
Luis Kant
4    Contigo 2:40
Pedro Flores
5    Bonita 2:28
Lonnie Hewitt
6    The Lady Is a Tramp 4:32
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
7    Black Orchid 3:23
Cal Tjader
8    Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe :44
Harold Arlen / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
9    I've Waited So Long 2:07
Jerry Lordan
10    Out of Nowhere 3:26
Johnny Green / Edward Heyman
11    Cuajira at the Blackhawk 5:20
Mongo Santamaría
12    I Want to Be Happy 3:15
Irving Caesar / Vincent Youmans
13    The Nearness of You 3:54
Hoagy Carmichael / Ned Washington
14    Pete Kelly's Blues 3:48
Sammy Cahn / Ray Heindorf
15    A Minor Goof 3:53
Brew Moore
16    Undecided 3:23
Sydney Robin / Charlie Shavers
17    Philadelphia Mambo 3:20
Tito Puente
18    Flamingo 4:12
Edmund Anderson / Ted Grouya
19    Stompin' at the Savoy 4:00
Benny Goodman / Andy Razaf / Edgar Sampson / Chick Webb
20    Laura 3:21
Johnny Mercer / David Raksin
21    Lullaby of Birdland 4:00
George Shearing / George David Weiss
Credits :
José "Chombo" Silva (Saxophone)
Paul Horn (Flute)
Vince Guaraldi, Lonnie Hewitt, Manuel Duran (Piano)
Eugene Wright, Carlos Duran,  Al McKibbon (Bass)
Willie Bobo (Drums, Timbales)
Luis Kant, Mongo Santamaria, Luis Miranda (Conga Drums)
Bayardo Velarde (Timbales)

DIZZY GILLESPIE — Afro (1955-2002) RM | Serie LP Reproduction | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Pairing Dizzy Gillespie with Cuban arranger/composer Chico O'Farrill produced a stunning session which originally made up the first half of a Norgran LP. O'Farrill conducts an expanded orchestra which combines a jazz band with a Latin rhythm section; among the participants in the four-part "Manteca Suite" are trumpeters Quincy Jones and Ernie Royal, trombonist J.J. Johnson, tenor saxophonists Hank Mobley and Lucky Thompson, and conga player Mongo Santamaria. "Manteca," written during the previous decade, serves as an exciting opening movement, while the next two segments build upon this famous theme, though they are jointly credited to O'Farrill as well. "Rhumba-Finale" is straight-ahead jazz with some delicious solo work by Gillespie. A later small-group session features the trumpeter with an all-Latin rhythm section and flutist Gilberto Valdes, who is heard on "A Night in Tunisia" and "Caravan." Both of the Latin versions of these pieces are far more interesting than "Con Alma," as the excessive percussion and dull piano accompaniment add little to this normally captivating theme. Long out of print, this 2002 CD reissue will only be available until May 2005; it is well worth acquiring. Ken Dryden 
Tracklist :
1 Manteca Theme 4:11
2 Contrastes 2:46
3 Jungla 4:44
4 Rhumba-Finale 4:39
5 A Night In Tunisia 4:15
6 Con Alma 5:01
7 Caravan 7:20
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – George Dorsey (tracks: 1 to 4), Hilton Jefferson (tracks: 1 to 4)
Arranged By, Conductor – Chico O'Farrill (tracks: 1 to 4)
Baritone Saxophone – Danny Bank (tracks: 1 to 4)
Bass – Roberto Rodriguez, Lou Hackney (tracks: 1 to 4)
Bongos – José Manguel
Congas – Candido Camero, Mongo Santamaria (tracks: 1 to 4)
Drums – Charlie Persip (tracks: 1 to 4)
Flute – Gilberto Valdez (tracks: 5, 7)
Percussion – Rafael Miranda (tracks: 5 to 7)
Piano – Ray Concepcion (tracks: 1 to 4), Rene Hernandez (tracks: 5 to 7), Wade Legge (tracks: 1 to 4)
Tenor Saxophone – Hank Mobley (tracks: 1 to 4), Lucky Thompson (tracks: 1 to 4)
Timbales – Ubaldo Nieto
Trombone – George Matthews (tracks: 1 to 4), J.J. Johnson (tracks: 1 to 4), Leon Comegys (tracks: 1 to 4)
Trumpet – Dizzy Gillespie, Ernie Royal (tracks: 1 to 4), Jimmy Nottingham (tracks: 1 to 4), Quincy Jones (tracks: 1 to 4)
Notes
Tracks 1-4: Recorded May 24, 1954 at Fine Sound, New York City
Tracks 5-7: Recorded June 3, 1954 at Fine Sound, New York City

MONGO SANTAMARIA - Our Man In Havana (1960-1993) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The two records that make up Our Man in Havana (the other date was originally called Bembe) were recorded in 1960 during a visit to Cuba by Mongo Santamaria and Willie Bobo. The first set is superb, featuring an unusual mixture of instruments for a Cuban band: two trumpets, flute, piano, tres (Nino Rivera), bass, timbales, bongos, guiro, conga, and two vocalists. The playing by the local musicians is of high quality, and the ten selections are quite enjoyable. Unfortunately though, that project is combined with the cuts from Bembe, which are in a very different style. The latter project has the music performed entirely by vocalists, other than the percussion of Santamaria and Bobo. Consisting of folk melodies and religious songs, with the emphasis totally on the chanting and singing, the music is intriguing from a historical standpoint but the jazz content is nil on this emotional date (which has Merceditas Valdes taking the vocal on four numbers). So, overall, this is definitely a mixed bag. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
Our Man In Havana (1960)
1     Jamaicuba 3:27
Esther Cruz Alvarez
2     Manila 4:42
Mongo Santamaria
3     He Guapacha 4:08
Mongo Santamaria
4     Cha Cha Rock 3:47
Mongo Santamaria
5     Vengan Pollos 4:59
Mongo Santamaria
6     Barandanga 3:16
Armando Peraza
7     Linda Guajira 3:08
Mongo Santamaria
8     Vamos a Gozar 2:34
Mongo Santamaria
9     Miss Patti Cha Cha 4:15
Mongo Santamaria
10     Viva la Felicidad 2:31
Mongo Santamaria
Mongo In Havana Bembé! (1960)
11     Tele Mina for Chango (God of Thunder) 3:00
Mongo Santamaria
12     Olla de for Olla (Wife of Chango) 3:48
Mongo Santamaria
13     Yemaya Olodo for Olla (Mother of Chango) 3:33
Mongo Santamaria
14     Yeye-O for Ochun (Counterpart of Venus) 4:10
Mongo Santamaria
15     Wolenche for Chango (God of Thunder) 2:47
Mongo Santamaria
16     Aqua Limpia (Guaguanco) 3:10
Francisco Aguabella
17     Ochun Mene (Columbia) 4:10
Mongo Santamaria
18     Mexico 3:20
Mongo Santamaria
19     Mañana Son Mañana (Columbia) 4:09
Mongo Santamaria
20     Complicaciones (Guaguanco) 3:47
Francisco Aguabella
Credits :
Bass – Pepito (faixas: 1 to 10)
Bongos, Triangle – Yeyito (faixas: 1 to 10)
Congas – Mongo Santamaria
Flute – Julio (9) (faixas: 1 to 10)
Guiro – Gustavito (faixas: 1 to 10)
Piano – Pacquito (faixas: 1 to 10)
Remastered By – Phil De Lancie
Timbales, Bongos – Willie Bobo (faixas: 1 to 20)
Tres, Arranged By [Arrangements] – Niño Rivera (faixas: 1 to 10)
Trumpet – Armandito (faixas: 1 to 10), El Fine (faixas: 1 to 10)
Vocals – Armando Raymat, Carlos Embale (faixas: 16, 18 & 20), Cheo Junco (faixas: 1 to 10), Finco (faixas: 16 & 20), Luis Santamaria (faixas: 11 & 15), Macucho (faixas: 19), Mario Arenas (faixas: 18), Merceditas Valdes (faixas: 12 to 14, 17)
Nota :
Reissue of "Our Man In Havana" and "Mongo In Havana Bembé!" from 1960:
Fantasy F-8045 and 8055.

MONGO SANTAMARIA Y SU ORQUESTA - Sabroso! (1960-1993) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

At the time that Sabroso was recorded, Mongo Santamaria's group was essentially a charanga band with two trumpets added, a combination that works quite well. The group has superior playing by Jose "Chombo" Silva on both violin and tenor (helping "Para Ti" to become a classic), two little-known but talented trumpeters (Louis Valizan and Marcus Cabuto), the great flutist Rolando Lozano, pianist Rene Hernandez, bassist Victor Venegas, and Willie Bobo on drums. Pete Escovedo is one of the background singers as Rudi Calzado takes the lead on a few numbers but does not dominate. There are many fine individual moments on this joyous and infectious set.  by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1. Que Meravilloso (Pachanga) 2:43
Written-By – Rudi Calzado
2; En La Felicidad (Charanga) 2:04
Written-By – Felix Legarreta
3. Pachanga Pá Ti (Pachanga) 2:21
Written-By – Anna Duran
4. Tulibamba (Charanga) 3:58
Written-By – Mongo Santamaria
5. Mambo De Cuco (Pachanga) 3:50
Written-By – Nicholas Martinez
6. El Bote (Descarga) 3:56
Written-By – Armando Peraza
7. Pito Pito (Mambo) 2:43
Written-By – Santamaria
8. Guaguanco Mania (Guaguanco) 2:30
Written-By – Santamaria
9. Ja, Ja-Ja (Charanga) 3:00
Written-By – Duran
10. Tula Hula (Pachanga) 2:36
Written-By – Peraza
11. Dimelo (Charanga) 2:32
Written-By – Legarreta
12. A La Luna Me Voy (Charanga) 3:05
Written-By – Miguel Hernandez Avila
13. Para Ti (Descarga) 6:02
Written-By – Santamaria
Credits :
Bass – Victor Venegas
Congas, Drums – Mongo Santamaria
Flute – Rolando Lozano
Piano – Renè "El Flaco" Hernandez
Timbales – Willie Bobo
Trumpet – Louis Valizán, Marcus Cabuto
Violin – José "Chombo" Silva, Felix "Pupi" Legarreta
Vocals – Bayardo Velarde, Pete Escovedo
Vocals [Solo] – Rudi Calzado

MONGO SANTAMARIA - At The Black Hawk (1962-1994) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Applying their famous two-fer philosophy to the digital era, Fantasy combines Mighty Mongo and Viva Mongo! on a single CD, showcasing two somewhat different slants on Mongo Santamaria's music during a period of exploration. Mighty Mongo leans more to Mongo's jazz side without sacrificing his Afro-Cuban rhythmic base, while Viva Mongo has a more distinctly ethnic Cuban sound with Rudy Calzado's solo vocals and the band's group chanting, Rolando Lozano's wooden flute riding playfully above the ensemble, and the traditional Cuban use of string counterlines. On Mighty Mongo, "Descarga at the Black Hawk" sets an especially tasty groove, with some timbales/congas/cymbals action on an extended vamp. Lozano shines in an extended flute solo on "Bacoso" before a scorcher of a percussion battle develops, while composer/pianist Joao Donato also doubles on trombone on "Sabor." Viva Mongo's highlights include "Las Guajiras," a relaxed spellbinder at a guajira tempo; "Merengue Changa," a stupefying merger of two different rhythmic feelings; and the appropriately titled "Mambo Terrifico." Jose "Chombo" Silva, the Cuban Stan Getz worshipper who also evokes Coleman Hawkins on occasion, careens pleasingly on both albums. Of the two, Viva Mongo is perhaps the more vital record, but it's a close call; both are vibrant expressions of Mongo's art. by Richard S. Ginell  
Tracklist :
1    Bluchanga 8:00
João Donato
2    Tenderly 4:04
Walter Gross / Jack Lawrence
3    Descarga at the Black Hawk 7:30
João Donato
4    Bacoso 8:54
Rolando Lozano / Cuco Martinez / Victor Venegas
5    Sabor 4:05
João Donato
6    All the Things You Are 4:57
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
7    Pachanga Twist 3:27
Mongo Santamaria
8    Las Guajiras 7:47
Mongo Santamaria
9    Para Ti 3:04
Mongo Santamaria
10    Body and Soul 5:40
Frank Eyton / Johnny Green / Edward Heyman / Robert Sour
11    Merengue Changa 3:48
Isaac Irzarry
12    Dulce Sueño 2:38
Jose Lozano
13    Mambo Terrifico 2:54
Jose Lozano
14    Close Your Eyes 5:43
Bernice Petkere
Credits :
Baritone Saxophone – Pat Patrick (tracks: 9)
Bass – Victor Venegas
Congas, Bongos – Mongo Santamaria
Flute – Rolando Lozano
Lead Vocals – Rudy Calzado
Percussion – Julito Collazo, Cuco Martinez (tracks: 7 to 14)
Piano – Rene "El Latigo" Hernandez (tracks: 7 to 14)
Piano, Trombone – João Donato
Tenor Saxophone, Violin – Jose "Chombo" Silva (tracks: 7 to 14)
Timbales – Cuco Martinez (tracks: 1 to 6), Willie Bobo
Violin – Pupi Legarreta

MONGO SANTAMARIA - Mongo At The Village Gate (1963-1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Mongo at the Village Gate finds Mongo Santamaria entering the boogaloo era with a variety of funky pieces that show the influence of R&B and soul-jazz without losing the group's roots in Cuban music. The infectious live set teams the conguero with trumpeter Marty Sheller, the reeds of Pat Patrick and Bobby Capers, pianist Rodgers Grant, bassist Victor Venegas, drummer Frank Hernandez, and the percussion of Chihuahua Martinez and Julian Cabrera. Such tunes as "Fatback," "Mongo's Groove," and "Creole" have happy, soulful, and simple melodies. This is one of Marty Sheller's best dates on trumpet, while Santamaria takes "My Sound" as a colorful unaccompanied solo. A remake of "Para Ti" is a welcome addition. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Introduction by "Symphony Sid" 0:41
2     El Toro 6:33
Valerie Capers
3     Fatback 5:59
Bobby Capers / Robert Capers / Valerie Capers
4     Mongo's Groove 3:18
Jimmy Heath
5     Creole 2:29
Yusef Salim
6     The Jungle Bit 6:47
Mongo Santamaria
7     My Sound 2:59
Mongo Santamaria
8     The Morning After 6:46
Rodgers Grant
9     Nothing for Nothing 7:19
Pat Patrick
- Bonus Track -
10     Para Ti 5:14
Mongo Santamaria
Credits :
Congas, Leader – Mongo Santamaria
Double Bass – Victor Venegas
Flute, Saxophone – Bobby Capers, Pat Patrick
Hosted By – Symphony Sid
Percussion – "Chihuahua" Martinez, Julian Cabrera
Piano – Rodgers Grant
Trumpet – Marty Sheller

MONGO SANTAMARIA - Mongo Introduces La Lupe (1963-1993) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

La Lupe was a popular singer in New York's Latin music scene of the 1960s. She is featured on five of the nine selections on this LP, showing lots of spirit along with an appealing voice. In addition, there are four strong instrumentals, and even the vocal pieces have spots for the instrumentalists. It is particularly interesting to hear the difference between the two trumpet players (Marty Sheller and Chocolate Armenteros), along with the fine reed solos from Pat Patrick (Sun Ra's baritonist, who was on vacation from the Arkestra at the time) and Bobby Capers, who alternate between various saxophones and flutes. An excellent set of stirring Afro-Cuban jazz. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Besito Pa Ti 4:41
Mongo Santamaria
2    Kiniqua 4:19
Antar Daly
3    Canta Bajo 3:35
Pat Patrick
4    Uncle Calypso 3:28
Armando Peraza
5    Montuneando 4:00
Rene Hernandez / Mongo Santamaria
6    Que Lindas Son 4:39
Mongo Santamaria
7    Oye Este Guaguanco 2:46
Mongo Santamaria
8    Este Mambo (This Is My Mambo) 4:39
Rene Hernandez
9    Quiet Stroll 7:58
Pat Patrick
Credits :
Bass – Victor Venegas
Bongos, Congas – Mongo Santamaria
Flute – Bobby Capers, Pat Patrick
Percussion – Frank Valerino, Kako, Osvaldo Martinez
Piano – Rene Hernandez, Rodgers Grant
Producer – Orrin Keepnews
Remastered By – Phil De Lancie
Saxophone – Bobby Capers, Pat Patrick
Trumpet – "Chocolate" Armenteros (tracks: 5, 6), Marty Sheller
Vocals – La Lupe 

Mr. WATERMELON MAN MONGO SANTAMARIA - La Bamba (1965-2014) Jazz Collection 1000 / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

One good hit deserves a remake, so Columbia had Mongo Santamaria redo his breakthrough record "Watermelon Man" on his second LP for the label. Indeed, it is this brighter, better-recorded version that we generally hear on the radio nowadays instead of the Battle original. Even better, though, are "Fatback" and the wildly swinging workout on "La Bamba" that kicks off the album, to which you can imagine the foxy blonde model on the cover dancing the boogaloo. Marty Sheller's charging arrangements and trumpet are in the driver's seat of this sports car with the Mongo engine, and Hubert Laws has a ball in his flute and tenor sax solos. Few records embodied the go-go spirit of the '60s as well as this Latin jazz album. by Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist :
1    La Bamba 3:58
Written-By – R. Valens
2    Fatback 3:16
Written-By – B. Capers
3    Summertime 4:42
Written-By – D. Heyward, G. Gershwin
4    Manha De Carnaval (Morning Of The Carnival) 4:46
Written-By – A. Maria, L. Bonfa
5    José Outside 2:39
Written-By – M. Sheller
6    Coconut Milk 2>33
Written-By – C. Garcia
7    Watermelon Man 3:15
Written-By – H. Hancock
8    Do It To It 3:55
Written-By – R. Grant
9    Rick Tick 2:21
Written-By – B. Salter
10    Streak O´Lean 2:50
Written-By – B. Capers
11    Just Say Goodbye 3:14
Written-By – Rodgers Grant, Ruth Grant
12    From Me To You All 2:52
Written-By – R. Grant
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone,
Flute – Bobby Capers
Bass – Victor Venegas
Flute, Tenor Saxophone – Hubert Laws
Leader, Bongos – Mongo Santamaria
Piano – Rodger Grant
Timbales, Drums – Carmello Garcia
Trumpet – Marty Sheller

MONGO SANTAMARIA - Mongo At Montreaux (1971-2012) RM / Jazz Best Collection 1000 – 4 / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Recorded live at the 1971 Montreux Jazz Festival, the blistering Mongo at Montreux captures Mongo Santamaria in the absolute prime of his career, embracing all facets of his expansive musical vision for a set that is far more than the sum of its parts. Spanning from soulful Latin boogaloo grooves like "Come Candela" to psychedelic jazz renditions of pop hits like the Temptations' "Cloud Nine" to straight-up funk excursions like "Climax," Mongo at Montreux is relentlessly energetic music genetically engineered for dancing -- most impressive of all is "Conversation in Drums," a virtual primer in Latin percussion. by Jason Ankeny
Tracklist :
1     Come Calenda 3:33
Mongo Santamaria
2     Climax 4:25
Alphonse Mouzon
3     Disappear 4:40
Marty Sheller
4     Marty's Tune  4:21
Marty Sheller
5     Soleil 5:39
Jean-François Perrier, Michel Fugain
6     Conversation in Drums 1:32

Mongo Santamaria
7     I Wanna Know 2:59
Hubert Laws
8     Watermelon Man 0:59
Herbie Hancock
9    Standing Ovation
10     Cloud Nine 4:54
Barrett Strong, Norman Jesse Whitfield
11    Watermelon Man (alt) 0:33
Herbie Hancock
Credits :
Arranged By – Marty Sheller
Congas – Mongo Santamaria
Congas, Bongos – Armando Peraza
Drums, Timbales – Steve Berrios
Electric Bass – Edward Rivera
Flute, Vibraphone [Vibes] – Roger Glenn
Piano – Eddie Martinez
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Carter Jefferson
Trumpet, Cowbell – Ray Maldonado

MONGO SANTAMARIA - Skins (1976-1989) RM / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

This single CD has all of the contents of the two Mongo Santamaria Riverside albums originally titled Mongo Explodes and Go, Mongo! The music was last available as a two-LP set also titled Skins. The 1964 session, oddly programmed first, finds Santamaria on conga and bongos at the head of a ten-piece band also including trumpeter Marty Sheller, then-unknown flutist Hubert Laws (also featured on piccolo and tenor), Bobby Capers on alto and baritone, and a seven-piece rhythm section with five percussionists. Cornetist Nat Adderley guests on three of the ten numbers, which are all group originals, including four songs from Sheller. The early dates (Mongo's first as the leader of a fairly jazz-oriented Latin group) have Santamaria leading a completely different band, a nonet with just three percussionists. Most notable among the personnel are the young Chick Corea on piano and Pat Patrick, on leave from Sun Ra's band, as one of the two saxophonists. This time around, Mongo contributed four of the nine fairly obscure numbers. Although some of the songs on the 1964 date were put together in hopes of duplicating the commercial success of "Watermelon Man" (none succeeded), the music still sounds fairly fresh and lively. An excellent introduction to Mongo Santamaria's viable brand of Afro-Cuban jazz. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Skins 3:31
Marty Sheller
2     Fatback 2:29
Bobby Capers
3     Hammer Head 3:25
Marty Sheller / Wayne Shorter
4     Dot, Dot, Dot 5:07
Marty Sheller
5     Dirty Willie 5:25
Marty Sheller
6     Sweet 'Tater Pie 2:40
Rodgers Grant
7     Bembe Blue 6:38
Hubert Laws
8     Dulce Amor 5:07
Rodgers Grant
9     Tacos 2:33
Hubert Laws
10     Corn Bread Guajira 2:37
Bobby Capers
11     Tuma le Le 4:15
Netto
12     Happy Now 3:08
Mongo Santamaria
13     Country Song 3:26
Bez / Paul Davis / Mark Day / Paul Ryder / Shaun Ryder / Gary Whelan
14     Congo Blue 5:45
Mongo Santamaria
15     Carmela 5:22
Mongo Santamaria
16     Hombre 3:33
Marcelino Guerra
17     Chombolero 4:17
João Donato
18     Not Hardly 4:17
Pat Patrick
19     African Song 3:24
Mongo Santamaria
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Bobby Capers (faixas: 1 to 10)
Bass – Victor Venegas
Congas [Conga Drums], Bongos – Mongo Santamaria
Cornet – Nat Adderley (faixas: 1, 3, 10)
Drums – Carmelo Garcia (faixas: 7), Jimmy Cobb (faixas: 3, 10), Ray Lucas (faixas: 1, 2, 4 to 9)
Flute, Saxophone – Al Abreu (faixas: 11 to 19), Pat Patrick (faixas: 11 to 19)
Guitar, Percussion [Latin Percussion] – Jose De Paulo (faixas: 11 to 19)
Mastered By [Digital Mastering, 1989] – Joe Tarantino
Percussion [Latin Percussion] – "To-Tiko" (faixas: 11 to 19), "Chihuaha" Martinez (faixas: 1 to 10), Wito Kortwright (faixas: 1 to 10)
Piano – Chick Corea (faixas: 11 to 19), Rodgers Grant (faixas: 1 to 10)
Piccolo Flute, Tenor Saxophone [Tenor Sax] – Hubert Laws (faixas: 1 to 10)
Producer [Original Recordings] – Orrin Keepnews
Timbales – Carmelo Garcia (faixas: 1 to 10), Julio Collazo (faixas: 11 to 19)
Trumpet – Paul Serrano (faixas: 11 to 19)
Trumpet, Percussion [Latin Percussion] – Marty Sheller (faixas: 1 to 10)
Vocals – Carmen Costa (faixas: 11), Elliot Romero (faixas: 13), Marcellino Guerra (faixas: 13, 16) 

MONGO SANTAMARIA - Sofrito (1976-2006) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The June 2003 reissue of late Mongo Santamaria's 1976 album Sofrito -- he died in February 2003 -- by Vaya brings many questions to the fore. While the record was greeted by somewhat lukewarm press reviews at the time of its release given its preoccupation with groove-jazz-oriented sonics and production, and was considered a minor work by many. But on compact disc and with the new look at the era's recordings by virtually everyone, from Willie Bobo, Willie Colón, Ray Barretto, and other jazzmen of the time, such as Deodato, Lonnie Liston Smith, and Herbie Hancock, Sofrito is, perhaps, a timeless Latin soul-jazz classic. Recorded in New York by Jon Fausty with a killer band of salsa and jazz musicians, Sofrito is a wonderfully mixed bag of laid-back Latin-flavored jazz tunes such as "Cruzan," drenched in a beautiful baritone solo by Roger Rosenberg, with Armen Donelian's electric piano and beautiful timbales and traps by Steve Berrios, and Santamaria's congas. On "O Mi Shango," the lone traditional song on the set, killer bata drums by Angel "Cachete" Maldonado work well in juxtaposition to the modern synthesizer and funk backdrops. The gorgeous son rhythms on "Spring Song," lend it a timeless, Nuyorican Soul-feel as an Afro-Cuban orchestra is playing it on a Harlem street corner. Simmering, shimmering, soul-jazz harmony with gorgeous Latin percussion informed by age-old Cuban melodies and funky basslines make this one of the most beautiful tunes on the set. In all, there are no weak tracks on Sofrito, and it offers a near-perfect view of the seamless kind of transcultural music-making that was happening at the time that so informed virtually everything in both genres now.
(This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa')
Tracklist :
1     Iberia 4:38
Armen Donelian
2     Cruzan 7:40
Armen Donelian
3     Spring Song 7:09
Armen Donelian
4     Sofrito O Mi Shango 6:06
Neal Creque
5     O Mi Shango 4:24
Mongo Santamaria
6     Five on the Color Side 5:48
William Allen
7     Secret Admirer 4:28
William Allen
8     Olive Eye 3:31
Marty Sheller
9     Princess 5:05
Marty Sheller
Credits :
Arranged By – Armen Donelian (faixas: A1 to A3), Marty Sheller (faixas: A4, B4 to B5), William Allen (faixas: B1 to B3)
Bass Clarinet – Roger Rosenberg (faixas: 6)
Bass Guitar – Eddie ("Gua Gua") Rivera, William Allen (faixas: 5 to 7)
Bata – "Cachete" (Angel Maldonado) (faixas: 5, 7), Julito Collazo (faixas: 5, 7)
Bongos, Cowbell, Congas, Percussion – "Peachy" (Greg Jarmon)
Congas – Mongo Santamaria
Coro – Marcelino Guerra (faixas: 8), Marcelino Valdez (faixas: 8), Mario Munoz (faixas: 8)
Drums [Traps] – Bernard Purdie (faixas: 7)
Drums [Traps], Timbales, Bata, Percussion – Steve Berrios
Electric Piano, Piano [Acoustic], Synthesizer [Arp String Ensemble], Clavinet – Armen Donelian
Executive-Producer – Jerry Masucci
Flugelhorn – Mike DiMartino ("Coco") (faixas: 73)
Flute [Solo] – Gonzalo Fernandez (faixas: 7)
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Roger Rosenberg
Tenor Saxophone, Flute [Soprano & Alto] – Al Williams
Trumpet – Mike DiMartino ("Coco")
Vocals – Edna Holt (faixas: 6)

MONGO SANTAMARIA - Red Hot (1979-1997) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In reaching for another shot at the big time, Mongo Santamaria sold much of the heart out of his music by turning himself over to producer Bob James, his arranger Jay Chattaway, and the fading disco fad. The result is a near disaster, an overproduced, overdubbed, rhythmically overbearing affair, staffed largely by James and his family of New York session players (including the Brecker Brothers, Eric Gale, and Steve Gadd) with only a handful of Mongo's sidemen, polished to a slick fare-thee-well. "You Better Believe It" is the sole Marty Sheller-arranged track; despite the Anglo-sounding chorus, the Guajiro groove conquers the production. Mongo alumni Hubert Laws has some nice moments in the Brazil-flavored "Sambita," but when you hear "Watermelon Man" redone to a horrible disco beat ... goodbye. by Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist :
1     Watermelon Man 6:34
Arranged By, Conductor – Jay Chattaway
Backing Vocals – Brenda Frazier, Gwen Guthrie, Vivian Cherry
Bass – Gary King
Congas, Bongos, Solo Vocal – Mongo Santamaria
Drums – Jimmy Young
Featuring, Vocals – La Lupe
Guitar – Jeff Layton, Lance Quinn
Percussion – Jimmy Maelen
Piano, Synthesizer [Oberhieim] – Bob James
Tenor Saxophone, Soloist, Backing Vocals – Mike Brecker
Trumpet, Backing Vocals – Randy Brecker
Written-By – H. Hancock
2     A Mi No Me Enganan (You Better Believe It) 4:40
Arranged By, Conductor – Marty Sheller
Bass – Sal Cuevas
Congas, Percussion – Mongo Santamaria
Lyrics By – M. Santamaria
Music By – T. Guerra
Piano – Charlie Palmieri
Timbales, Drums – Steve Berrios
Tres – Harry Vigiano
Vocals – Brenda Frazier, Frank Floyd, Gwen Guthrie, Hector Aponte, Raymond Simpson, Vivian Cherry, Zach Sanders
3     Jai Alai (Rena) 7:38
Arranged By, Conductor – Jay Chattaway
Bass – Gary King
Congas, Soloist – Mongo Santamaria
Drums – Steve Berrios
Guitar – Eric Gale
Guitar, Soloist – Jeff Layton
Other [Electric Balls] – Bob James
Synthesizer [Mini Moog], Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Barry Miles
Trumpet, Soloist – Jon Faddis
Written-By – G. King    
4     Jamaican Sunrise 5:54
Arranged By, Conductor – Jay Chattaway
Bass – Gary King
Bongos – Mongo Santamaria
Drums – Idris Muhammad
Flute – Doug Harris
Guitar – Eric Gale
Percussion – Jimmy Maelen
Piano – Barry Miles
Written-By – D. Harris
5     Afro-Cuban Fantasy 7:36
Arranged By, Conductor – Jay Chattaway
Bata – Hector Hernandez, Julio Collazo
Bata, Percussion [Guataca] – Mongo Santamaria
Bata, Shekere – Steve Berrios
Drums – Steve Gadd
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Electronic Drums [Electric Log Drums] – Bob James
Guitar – Eric Gale
Soprano Saxophone, Soloist – Mark Colby
Written-By – J. Chattaway
6     Sambita 5:45
Justo Almario
Arranged By, Conductor – Jay Chattaway
Bass – Lee Smith
Congas, Bongos, Soloist – Mongo Santamaria
Drums, Percussion – Thelmo Porto
Flute – Hubert Laws
Guitar – Eric Gale
Piano – Bill O'Connell
Written-By – J. Gellardo, J. Almario

MONGO SANTAMARIA - Olé Ola (1989) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

For an album of mostly average Latin jazz, Olé Ola makes it mark with the title track, which features a genuinely soulful vocal by Jill Armsbury. Unfortunately, the song is far too short, winding up clumsily just after a percussion solo; also, the lyrics amount to little more than a repeated chorus. But drawn out at least another minute, it could have become a classic on a par with Ocho's "Undress My Mind," another rainy day Latin-jazz soul ballad. The album's other soul number, Sheller's "Mother Jones," is also quite good. Most Picante albums are pleasant enough -- if never cage-rattling -- and offer at least one memorable track. Olé Ola fits the pattern. by Tony Wilds
Tracklist :
1     Who's Got the Bread? 4:56
Bobby Porcelli
2     Ole Ola 3:42    
3     Now Is Forever 4:50
Ray Vega
4     El Campesino 4:26
Bob Quaranta
5     Jeanie's Tune 4:48
Mitch Frohman
6     Mother Jones 5:06
Marty Sheller
7     Aged in Soul 5:58
William Allen
8     La Tumba 5:23
Mongo Santamaria   
9     Papa Willie 4:38
William Allen   
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Flute – Bobby Porcelli
Bass – Bernie Minoso
Congas – Mongo Santamaria
Coro – Bobi Céspedes (faixas: 2,8), Claudia Gomez (faixas: 2,8)
Lead Vocals – Jillian Armsbury (faixas: 2)
Percussion – Humberto "Nengue" Hernandez
Piano – Bob Quaranta
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Mitch Frohman
Timbales – Johnny Almendra
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Ray Vega
Vocals – Humberto "Nengue" Hernandez (faixas: 8) 

MONGO SANTAMARIA - Live at Jazz Alley (1990-2003) SACD / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

This is as close to Latin purist Mongo as we have heard in recent years, an eight-piece salsa band -- including several members of the 1997 Tito Puente ensemble, like trumpeter Ray Vega, altoist Bobby Porcelli and tenorman Mitch Frohman -- playing a brace of Mongo classics and Latin jazz pieces live before a hushed crowd in Seattle's Jazz Alley. There are no pop covers, one electric instrument (a bass), lots of extended jazz solos (Porcelli and Frohman really burn on the pioneering Afro-Cuban classic "Manteca"), and an unusual (for Mongo) emphasis on the timbales on many tracks, which shoves the rhythms closer to the salsified Puente manner.

However, tracks like "Juan Jose," "Home" and "Bonita" do have the smooth Mongo cha-cha and guajira grooves, and elsewhere, Mongo lifts himself out of the background often enough to deliver some stirring polyrhythmic conga salvos. For a specific jolt from Mongo's own past, there is "Para Ti" and 10 1/2 stimulating minutes of "Afro Blue." Though the general electricity level of the gig could be higher, Mongo's ageless spirit triumphs again. by Richard S. Ginell  
Tracklist :
1    Home 6:15
Bob Quaranta
2    Bonita 4:55
Mongo Santamaria
3    Philadelphia 6:13
Marty Sheller
4    Para Ti 6:07
Mongo Santamaria
5    Manteca 7:06
Walter Fuller / Dizzy Gillespie / Chano Pozo
6    Ponce 7:06
Ray Vega
7    Come Candela 5:34
Mongo Santamaria
8    Ibiano 5:04
William Allen
9    Juan José 5:38
Niño Rivera
10    Afro Blue 10:44
Mongo Santamaria
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Flute – Bobby Porcelli
Bass – Bernie Minoso
Congas – Mongo Santamaria
Coro – Bernie Minoso (tracks: 2, 4, 7, 9, 10), Eddie Rodriguez (tracks: 2, 4, 7, 9, 10), John Andreu Almendra (tracks: 2, 4, 7, 9, 10), Ray Vega (tracks: 2, 4, 7, 9, 10)
Drums, Timbales – John Andreu Almendra
Percussion, Vocals – Eddie Rodriguez (tracks: 10)
Piano, Music Director [Musical Director] – Bob Quaranta
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute – Mitch Frohman
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Ray Vega

MONGO SANTAMARIA AND FRIENDS - Mambo Mongo (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Mango Santamaria utilizes a colorful cast of musicians on this CD. Flutists Hubert Laws and Dave Valentin are featured on two songs apiece (although unfortunately not together) and the nonet has trumpeter Eddie Allen, altoist Jimmy Cozier, and Craig Rivers on tenor and soprano, along with three percussionists. There are a lot of percussion features including the closing nine-and-a-half minute "La Mogolla," making this an excellent if not quite essential recording. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Dark Before the Dawn 5:45
Ronnie Mathews
2    Caribbean Sunrise 4:49
Hilton Ruiz
3    Mambo Mongo 6:56
William Allen
4    Los Ninos del Mundo 6:05
Eddie Allen
5    Cali 5:07
Eddie Allen
6    Are They Only Dreams 5:02
Onaje Allan Gumbs
7    Cuco y Olga 6:04
Cuco Martinez / Nicholas Martinez
8    Azteca 5:23
Marty Sheller
9    La Mogolla 9:31
Mongo Santamaria
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Jimmy Cozier
Bass – Guillermo Edgehill
Bata [Itotele] – Jerome Goldschmidt (tracks: 9)
Congas – Mongo Santamaria
Flute – Dave Valentin (tracks: 2, 4), Hubert Laws (tracks: 1, 6)
Percussion, Vocals – Eddie Rodriguez
Piano – Dario Eskenazi
Producer – David Chesky
Tambora [Cata] – Jerome Goldschmidt (tracks: 8)
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Craig Rivers
Timbales – Johnny Andreu Almendra
Trumpet – Eddie Allen 

MONGO SANTAMARIA - Brazilian Sunset (1995) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Mongo Santamaria leads a potent octet over two nights at Birdland in this live CD taped in 1992. The conga master is joined by trumpeter/flugelhornist Eddie Allen (who serves as music director as well), tenor saxophonist/flautist Craig Rivers, and alto saxophonist/baritone saxophonist/flautists Jimmy Cozier, with pianist Ricardo Gonzalez leading the rhythm section. Among Santamaria's seven originals, the peppy "Brazilian Sunset" especially stands out, along with two pieces by Marty Sheller, his former musical director. Cozier penned the upbeat "Costa Del Oro," a sizzling Latin blues that features its composer on tenor sax. There's also a fun Afro-Cuban arrangement of the standard "Summertime" and a hip-swaying treatment of Herbie Hancock's huge hit "Watermelon Man." by Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    Bonita 4:10
Ray Gilbert / Antônio Carlos Jobim / Mongo Santamaria
2    Costa del Oro 5:39
Jimmy Cozier
3    Summertime 6:26
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / DuBose Heyward
4    Gumbo Man 6:11
Marty Sheller
5    Brazilian Sunset 6:47
Mongo Santamaria
6    When Love Begins 6:01
Mongo Santamaria
7    Being Here with You 5:41
Mongo Santamaria
8    Soca Mi Nice 3:59
Marty Sheller
9    Dawn's Light 5:15
Mongo Santamaria
10    Breaking It In 6:13
Mongo Santamaria
11    Watermelon Man 3:43
Herbie Hancock
12    Sofrito 11:18
Neal Creque / Mongo Santamaria
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Flute – Jimmy Cozier
Bass – Guillermo Edgehill
Drums, Timbales – Johnny Almendra
Percussion – Eddie Rodriguez, Mongo Santamaria
Piano – Ricardo Gonzalez
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Craig Rivers
Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Directed By [Musical Director] – Eddie J. Allen

MONGO SANTAMARIA - Mongo's Way + Up From the Roots (1999) APE (image+.cue), lossless

With the exception of a soulful reading of the Box Tops' "The Letter," Mongo's Way abandons the pop covers that dominated Mongo Santamaria's late-'60s dates for Columbia in favor of a more far-reaching Latin jazz sensibility shaped by elements of soul, funk and rock. Working with producer Neal Creque, as well as a superior supporting cast featuring guitarist Eric Gale, tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, and drummer Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, Santamaria creates some of his most atmospheric and eclectic music, similar in spirit and scope to the myriad blaxploitation soundtracks jamming retail bins but executed with uncommon artistry. This two-fer reissue also features Up from the Roots, an exploration of the African origins of Caribbean music that prompts Santamaria to set aside his trademark conga drums in favor of traditional African percussion instruments. The LP features some of his most potent and artful playing, capturing the rhythms and textures of traditional African chants with masterful precision. As a primer in African musical history, Up from the Roots at times errs too much on the side of education over entertainment, but by the record's second-half, Santamaria returns to the funky Latin soul of his most popular efforts, unleashing the righteous "Jose Outside" and "Forked Tongue." by Jason Ankeny  
Tracklist :
Mongo's Way (featuring Armando Peraza) (1971)
1    Tell It 2:56
Grant Reed
2    The Letter 3:29
Wayne Carson
3    Listen Here 2:51
Eddie Harris
4    Sometimes Bread 5:31
Sonny Henry
5    Geechee Girl 3:08
Neal Creque
6    Hippo Walk 3:02
Neal Creque / Joel Dorn / Lewis Hahn / Marty Sheller
7    Featherbed Lane 2:49
Marty Sheller
8    Saoco 5:31
Armando Peraza
9    Afro Walk 2:49
Mongo Santamaria
10    Congo Blue 5:24
Mongo Santamaria
Up From The Roots (1972)
11    Ebora (Yeza) 1:27
Mongo Santamaria
12    En la Habana 3:19
Julio Collazo
13    Conga, Bata, y Chequere / Me Buele la Muela 5:09
Julio Collazo / Mongo Santamaria
14    Eco /Abacua 3:12
Julio Collazo / Mongo Santamaria
15    Pan de Maiz 1:24
Papaito Muñoz
16    Para Ti 3:00
Mongo Santamaria
17    Sofrito 3:15
Neal Creque
18    Little Angel 4:16
Eddy Martinez
19    Virtue 3:29
Alphonse Mouzon
20    Jose Outside 3:04
Marty Sheller
21    Forked Tongue 3:17
Marty Sheller
Credits :
Arranged By – Eddy Martinez (faixas: 18), Marty Sheller (faixas: 1 to 3, 6 to 10, 16, 19, 20 & 21), Mongo Santamaria (faixas: 11 to 15), Neal Creque (faixas: 5 & 17), Sonny Henry (faixas: 4)
Conductor, Percussion – Marty Sheller (faixas: 1 to 10)
Nota
Total Time: 73:28
Mongo's Way first issued by Atlantic Records in 1971 - ℗ 1971 Atlantic Recording Corp.
Up From The Roots first issued by Atlantic Records in 1972 - ℗ 1972 Atlantic Recording Corp.

MONGO SANTAMARIA - Mongo's Greatest Hits (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This is a excellent single-disc sampler of what Mongo Santamaria was like before "Watermelon Man" catapulted him into the charts. Some of the Fantasy tracks sound like the musicians were just off the boat from Havana, and are a bit primitive in contrast to the brassy Santamaria of the mid- to late '60s, but they have overwhelming charm. The revered "Afro-Blue" can be heard in its original, spooky, stripped-down form, and it would be hard for anyone to resist the voodoo spell that the ten-plus minute "Mazacote" conveys. Besides Santamaria himself, included among the world-class percussionists on this record are Willie Bobo and Armando Peraza. The CD version adds four tracks, including "Watermelon Man" from the Battle/Riverside period and an alternate take of "Para Ti."  by Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist :   
1     Afro Blue 3:55
Mongo Santamaria
2     Mi Novia 2:50
Alicia Correa
3     Linda Guajira 3:06
Mongo Santamaria
4     Pito Pito 2:43
Mongo Santamaria
5     Mazacote 10:38
Mongo Santamaria
6     Para Ti 3:01
Mongo Santamaria
7     Watermelon Man 2:20
Herbie Hancock
8     Manteca 5:25
Gil Fuller / Dizzy Gillespie
9     Sabroso 3:40
Mongo Santamaria
10     Conga Pa Gozar 4:05
Mongo Santamaria
11     Federico 3:25
Mongo Santamaria
12     Mi Guaguanco 4:35
Mongo Santamaria
13     Para Ti 6:02
Mongo Santamaria
14     Las Guajiras 7:44
Mongo Santamaria
Credits :
Featuring – The Mongo Santamaria Orchestra, Willie Bobo 

CAL TJADER - Cal Tjader's Latin Concert (1956-1991) RM / APE (image+.cue), lossless

Latin Concert is a pretty good sampling of vibraphonist Cal Tjader's influential Latin jazz of the 1950s. With pianist Vince Guaraldi, bassist Al McKibbon, Willie Bobo on timbales and drums, and the congas of Mongo Santamaria, Tjader's impressive unit performs four of his catchy originals and two by Santamaria in addition to Latinized versions of "The Continental" and Ray Bryant's "Cubano Chant." This highly rhythmic music is hard to dislike. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Viva Cepeda 3:40
Cal Tjader
2     Mood for Milt 3:13
Cal Tjader
3     The Continental 3:40
Con Conrad / Herbert Magidson
4     Lucero 4:26
Cal Tjader
5     Tu Crees Que? 4:47
Mongo Santamaria
6     Mi Guaguanco 4:43
Mongo Santamaria
7     Cubano Chant 4:04
Ray Bryant
8     A Young Love 9:24
Cal Tjader
9     Theme 0:54
Cal Tjader
Credits :
Bass – Al McKibbon
Congas – Mongo Santamaria
Drums, Timbales – Willie Bobo
Piano – Vince Guaraldi
Remastered By – Phil De Lancie
Vibraphone – Cal Tjader 

CAL TJADER - Monterey Concerts (1959-1990) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This two-LP set is the definitive early Cal Tjader album and one of the high points of his career. For a Monterey concert that was considered a preview concert for the 1959 Monterey Jazz Festival, Tjader was teamed up with flutist and altoist Paul Horn, pianist Lonnie Hewitt, bassist Al McKibbon, Willie Bobo (on drums and timbales), and percussionist Mongo Santamaria. Their renditions of Latinized jazz tunes along with a few Latin originals practically define the idiom. Highlights include "Doxy," one of the earliest versions of Santamaria's "Afro Blue" (pre-dating John Coltrane's famous rendition by four years), "Love Me or Leave Me," and "A Night in Tunisia." Essential music for everyone's Latin jazz collection. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Doxy 8:48
Sonny Rollins
2     Afro Blue 6:33
Mongo Santamaria
3     Laura 5:19
Johnny Mercer / David Raksin
4     Walkin' With Wally 10:05
Lonnie Hewitt
5     We'll Be Together Again 5:11
Carl Fischer
6     'Round Midnight 6:06
Thelonious Monk / Cootie Williams
7     Love Me or Leave Me 5:56
Walter Donaldson
8     Tu Crees Que 5:27
Mongo Santamaria
9     S.S. Groove 5:18
John Mosher
10     A Night in Tunisia 6:53
Dizzy Gillespie / Frank Paparelli
11     Bess, You Is My Woman 4:10
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / DuBose Heyward
12     Lover Come Back to Me 3:11
Oscar Hammerstein II / Sigmund Romberg
13     Tumbao 4:55
Cal Tjader
Credits :
Bass – Al McKibbon
Bongos, Percussion – Mongo Santamaria
Drums, Timbales – Willie Bobo
Flute – Paul Horn
Piano – Lonnie Hewitt
Vibraphone – Cal Tjader