A Mongo Santamaria concert is a mesmerizing spectacle for both eyes and ears, and even in his seventies, this seemingly ageless Cuban percussionist/bandleader could energize packed behemoth arenas such as the Hollywood Bowl.
A master conguero, Santamaria at his best creates an incantatory spell rooted in Cuban religious rituals, quietly seating himself before his congas and soloing with total command over the rhythmic spaces between the beats while his band pumps out an endless vamp (a potent example on records is the hypnotic "Mazacote" available on Afro-Roots [Prestige]).
He has been hugely influential as a leader, running durable bands that combine the traditional charanga with jazz-oriented brass, wind, and piano solos, featuring such future notables as Chick Corea and Hubert Laws. He also reached out into R&B, rock, and electric jazz at times in his long career.
No Cuban percussionist, with the possible exception of Santana's Armando Peraza (and let's not count Desi Arnaz!), has reached more listeners than Mongo. (AMG)
01 - Che-Que-Re-Que-Che-Que
02 - Pachanga Pa' Ti
03 - Tulibamba
04 - Para Ti
05 - Guaguanco Mania
06 - Pito Pito
07 - Monte Adentro
08 - Ye Ye
09 - Mambo De Cuco
10 - Ja, Ja-Ja
11 - El Bote
12 - Tula Hula
13 - Conga Pa Gozar
14 - En La Felicidad
15 - Que Maravilloso
16 - A La Luna Me Voy
Label: Sarambandas
Released: 1995
Catalogue: CD 62067
Codec: Flac
Compression Level: 5
Quality: High
CD-rip by alekow (EAC and Flac)
Covers Included (400dpi)
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