Mongo Santamaria - Mongomania (1967/2017) [Official Digital Download 24-bit/192kHz]

Ramón "Mongo" Santamaría Rodríguez was a rumba quinto master and an Afro-Cuban Latin jazz percussionist. He is most famous for being the composer of the jazz standard "Afro Blue", recorded by John Coltrane among others. He was an integral figure in the fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms with R&B and soul, paving the way for the boogaloo era of the late 1960s. This album has been released in 1967 via Columbia Records. Heavyweight West Coast latin boogaloo/jazz album from Mongo Santamaria featuring Hubert Laws, Marty Sheller, Bobby Capers and loads more killer latin and jazz musicians.

Mongomania maintains a solid, upbeat jazz groove, with several interesting departures from his usual approach (such as the percussion on the album's two bossa novas). Whereas his previous Columbia albums may have had only one or two great tracks amid gratuitous covers of pop tunes, this one is at least half good. Although the band finally seems to be shaking the yoke of needing a hit single to follow "Watermelon Man," "I Wanna Know" (not to be confused with Francisco Aguabella's later masterpiece) may fit the bill nicely. Songs such as "Funny Man" are solidly in Mongo's Columbia vein. This Mongo material may not be worthy of mania, but it does provide a solid foundation for live performances, and is always great for blasting out the windows on a sunny day.

Tracklist:

01 - I Wanna Know
02 - Mongo-Nova
03 - Old Clothes
04 - The Goose
05 - Mamacita Lisa
06 - Mongo's Boogaloo
07 - Bossa-Negra
08 - Funny Man
09 - Melons
10 - Cuco and Olga

Musicians:
Mongo Santamaria - percussion
Bobby Capers - alto & baritone saxophone
Hubert Laws - flute, tenor saxophone
Marty Sheller - cowbell, trumpet
Wayne Henderson - trombone
Fred Hill - trumpet
Ray Maldonado - trumpet
Rodgers Grant - piano
Victor Venegas - bass
Carmelo Garcia - drums
Cuco Martinez - percussion
Sandra Crouch - tambourine


Thanks to the Original customer!