Latin Jazz Music

one of 3 cd's of my very first amazon purchase, it deserves a review (and an enthusiastic one, at that).
i have many mongo's albums and on some (our man in havana and from the roots, for example) the great don ramon explore his afro-cuban heritage for about twenty minutes (an lp side) and then moves to his trademark afro-cuban jazz more palatable to internation ears.
but here you have about 80 minutes of pure roots and culture: bembes, rumbas et al at the very best.
no drummer (and serious music lover) should be without this gem in his/her collection.
mongo still reigns supreme!

This is a great CD that showcases some different styles of Afro-Cuban music. This is the African roots of Cuban music and the foundations that Latin Jazz is built on. Mongo Santamaria is a master percussionist and his playing will move you, it will move you physically and stir your soul!

Well to be honest this cd wasn't what I thought it was going to be when I purchased it. I was looking for something mello, with cool jazzy sounds, like Mongo's other stuff, to my suprise this cd gave me a trip to AFRICA. It was filled with beautiful dropplets of all kinds of drums, "AFRO BLUE" blew me away, that song is my favorite hands down. I would encourage anyone to buy this cd, who's into congos and a sweet trip to AFRICA.

I was so glad to see this CD available that I had to buy it. To me he was and still is the best conga player of all times. I had the pleasure to meet him in person back in 1980 at the Miami Metro Zoo Jazz concert, and was able to get from him his autograph. I still have it with some pictures that were taken during the concert.
I have the original vinyl (1970) double album. However, apparently who ever made the recording did not include one of the best sons that is in the vinyl double album, and that is: "Mi Guaguanco" an excellent recording of the traditional Afro- Cuban sound that was left out because of budget and time availability; come on give me a break! That is a sorry ass excuse. I would have preferred to eliminate the Mazacote song instead. After all Mazacote is included in other albums too! My opinion is that if you are going to do some thing do it right! Shame on you for not including all of the great works of the best congero that ever lived! That is why I gave it a (4) rating, apart from that the CD is a good investment like all the other recordings from this Master Conguero. It's a must to have for your conga collection. I hope someday they will make a compilation of all his recordings and "Mi Guaguanco" will be included. Buy it you will not regret it. Mongo may you R.I.P

I just bought the CD reissue of this: I've had the vinyl version since the '70's. It's an indispensible recording of percussion virtuousity, and since it's mostly drums (except for the work by Cal Tjader and Paul Horn) it gives Mongo plenty of room to stretch out. Plus it's like a textbook of Afro-Cuban rhythms: rhumba, guaguanco, congobel, etc.

There may be some "spiritual" overtones to the drumming (like there is in almost any music), but I'd say it's mostly secular music intended to let Mongo and his mates tear it up. If you want more specifically religious Cuban drumming, try Milton Cardona's "Bembe", which is Santeria ceremonial bata drumming.

The fact that this recording sat in a recording studio archive for thirty years says a lot about the music business. Columbia didn't release Afro American Latin because the material wasn't what they were expecting; they were expecting another record of Latin soul covers, the type of material Mongo was covering in mid to late 60s. They didn't release this album because they didn't expect it to sell.

over thirty years later, listening to this record makes one question how out of touch these record executives must have been. Afro American Latin is quite possibly the finest body of Latin Jazz/funk that has yet been produced; it certainly is my favorite Mongo record. Included on this album are five incredible live versions of the studio tracks, recorded during a rehearsal show.

Attempts to describe the music seem futile; I can't describe transcendance, I can't put a label on genuius. Describing something as a masterpiece somehow makes it less so. I can only recommend this album and let the listener decide for themselves.

This is every bit as good (maybe better) than the Afro Cuban Allstars or Buena Vista Social Club. If you like either of those groups you will love his album.

Ranks up there with Afro Roots. A must-have!

There have been lots of Mongo Santamaria reissues lately; however, this is the best of the lot. "Obatala" is beautiful. Only one track (an unsurprising boogaloo number) is mediocre. If you listen to Latin Jazz, you will want to own this one (and play it often).

I have many records and CD's from Mongo and this one contains a remake of "Me and you baby"... I remember hearing it at a discotheque about 20 years ago on the previous record (All strung out). I tried to find it then but could not. This piece included some of the most inspiring conga playing I ever heard. The emotions that Mongo succeed to transmit is just amazing. Anyone who enjoyes latin music should listen to this piece. I still would like to find the original... May be one day

Have great listening!