Various Artists - ¡Saoco! Masters Of Afro-Cuban Jazz (2001)

A hip compilation of Afro-Cuban jazz from the late 1950s through the early 1970's. The use of multiple percussionists instead of a drum set is immediately noticeable, but what really sets this music apart are the sweet grooves that relentlessly drive the music forward at all times. Fantastic liner notes.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks:

1. La Descarga Del Bobo by Willie Bobo
   From the 1967 album, Juicy
2. Flamenco Ain't Bad by Sabu Martinez
   From the 1961 album, Sabu's Jazz Espagnole
3. Chino by Tito Puente & His Orchestra
   From the 1962 album, Vaya Puente
4. El Señor Sid by Bobby Paunetto
   From the 1966 album, El Sonido Moderno
5. Ochosi-Om-Mi by Mark Weinstein & His Cosa Nueva Orchestra
   From the 1967 album, Cuban Roots
6. Saoco by Mongo Santamaria
   From the 1971 album, Mongo's Way
7. Hot Pants Road by Ocho
   From the 1974 album, Numero Tres
8. Vietnam Mambo by Pucho & The Latin Soul Brothers
   From the 1966 album, Tough!
9. Que Mambo by Francisco Aguabella Orchestra
   From the 1963 album, Dance The Latin Way
10. Tanga by Machito & His Orchestra
    From the 1965 album, Mucho Mucho Machito!
11. Kush by Antonio (Chocolate) Diaz Mena & His Orchestra
    From the 1963 album, Eso Es Latin Jazz...Man!
12. Africa by Silvestre Méndez
    Taken from the 1958 album, Orizo
13. His Groove by Eddie Cano & Nino Tempo
    Taken from the 1966 album, ...On Broadway
14. Guajira En Azul by Cal Tjader & Eddie Palmieri
    Taken from the 1966 album, El Sonido Nuevo
15. Jazz Pachanga by Ray Barretto
    1961 single
16. Jumpin' With Symphony Sid by Louie Ramirez & His Orchestra
    Taken from the 1965 album, Latin Au Go Go
17. Siboney by Cachao Y Su Orquesta
    Taken from the 1958 album, Jam Session With Feeling: Descargas Cubanas
18. Clusters by Charlie Palmieri
    Taken from the 1968 album, Latin Bugalu

At 18 tracks over 64 minutes, you definitely get you money's worth with this one. My favorites are La Descarga Del Bob by Willie Bobo, Saoco by Mongo Santamaria, Tanga by Machito, His Groove by Eddie Cano & Nino Tempo, Jumpin' with Symphony Sid by Louie Ramirez, and a fun mozambique cover of The JB's funk hit, Hot Pants Road. The only track worth skipping is El Señor Sid by Bobby Paunetto which doesn't seem to fit here.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: No specific memories, but I'm fairly certain this was purchased during my cigar-smoking/Afro-Cuban phase around the turn of the century.