Vintage music with a Latin flair.

[otterhound]

Of course, Dizzy's Manteca is smokin'!

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Of course, Dizzy's Manteca is smokin'!

In Spanish, "manteca" can mean shortening, lard, grease or butter. Which means that if it's smokin', you're gonna have a nasty fire on your hands!

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[Rundquist]

I can’t believe that I missed this thread. The place to start is with the Machito Orchestra. In Machito’s (Frank Grillo) band was a Cuban named Mario Bauza. Mario Bauza basically invented Latin Jazz. He had the idea of mixing Latin rhythms with jazz harmony. It’s a simplification, but it’s essentially the truth. (Mario was the guy that played the clarinet solo in Chick Webb’s “Savoy”). With Machito’s group you had the harmonic sophistication of Duke Ellington’s band paired with complex poly rhythms that the Swing/American jazz musicians could only dream of. In fact, when the band debuted, Mario invited some of his ex-Cab Calloway band mates to see the show and they were completely blown away.

The famed pairing of Dizzy Gillespie with Chano Pozo, again was partly brought on by Dizzy’s association with Mario Bauza (he met Mario in the Cab Calloway band). “Manteca” which has been mentioned above, is actually street slang for heroin, I believe. Another major player in the development of Latin Jazz (but with a distinctly different flavor) is Cuban Israel “Cachao” Lopez. Look up Cachao’s Panart Descarga (jam) sessions.

Most people would agree that the three major players in Latin Jazz (or Mambo music) at it’s height from were The Machito Orchestra, Tito Rodriquez, and Tito Puente. All three made large ensemble music into the 70’s (and Puente into this century). All made monster music.

From this modern form of Latin Jazz or Mambo came what has become known today as Salsa. Salsa is basically a more adrenalized, harder sounding form of this music. Eddie Palmieri had what most people consider the first “Salsa” group, “La Perfecta”. It consisted of bass, piano, congas, tibales/bongos, 2 trombones, flute, and a singer. This little group was one of the baddest bands of all time in any genre. The tiny group would go up against Tito Puente at the New York Palladium, for instance and just clobber them. In the group besides Eddie himself, was Barry Rogers, the inventor of Latin Trombone playing. Also in the band was Timbalero/Bongosero Manny Oquendo. Manny was the man that adapted the Mozambique rhythm (which was a parade rhythm that required multi drummers) to be played by one man. He was in the band on Chano Pozo’s first gig in New York. He’s played with everybody (literally) as well as leading a real aficionado’s group, Conjunto Libre.

Give these a try: Machito, Johnny Pacheco, Mario Bauza, Joe Cuba, and Tito Rodriguez, to name a few! For more modern try Manny Oquendo's Libre - they still carry the torch and it burns hot!

Tangoman, I salute you for even knowing about Manny Oquendo. Libre is/was one of the greatest bands of all time. The tapestry of Afro Carribean music is so vast that I have trouble even writing about it and staying on subject. However, I’ll make a few suggestions for novices.

Miles Perlich produced some great compilations that you can still find if you know where to look.

Sabroso is a great place to start.
http://www.amazon.com/Sabroso-Afro-Latin-Groove-Various-Artists/dp/B0000063DZ/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1195517816&sr=8-1

A Gozar is great.
http://www.amazon.com/Gozar-Latin-Grooves-Blue-Note/dp/B00006CTHJ/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1195517870&sr=1-1

As is Saoco
http://www.amazon.com/Saoco-Masters-Afro-Cuban-Various-Artists/dp/B00005LMXH/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1195517907&sr=1-1

As is Latino Blue.
http://www.amazon.com/Latino-Blue-Various-Artists/dp/B000042OQQ/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1195517952&sr=1-1

As is the Mongo Santamaria Anthology “Skin On Skin” that he produced.
http://www.amazon.com/Skin-Mongo-Santamaria-Anthology-1958-1995/dp/B00000IL69/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1195517992&sr=1-1

These are two mind blowing La Perfecta records:
http://www.amazon.com/Molasses-Eddie-Palmieri/dp/B000OLHFVC/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1195520556&sr=1-9
http://www.amazon.com/Azucar-Pa-Ti-Sugar-You/dp/B000MM1FCS/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1195520556&sr=1-10

Great compilation of Manny’s work:
http://www.dustygroove.com/item.php?id=r7x9z2ztjd&ref=browse.php&refQ=kwfilter%3Dmanny%2Boquendo%26amp%3Bincl_oos%3D1%26amp%3Bincl_cs%3D1

 

[Sefton]

I enjoy the music of the Brazillian composer Ary Barroso. He wrote the hit song "Brazil" which was re-recorded in English-that's the version featured in the Terry Gilliam film. He wrote many of Carmen Miranda's hits. Wonderful 1930's music.

 

[dhermann1]

Some 'splainin' to do

I've always wanted to know more about classic Latin jazz but didn't know where to start. Thanks to everyone for the great tips. One album I do have and love is a compilation of Desi Arnaz's hits. In his day he was a lot more than just the husband of a certain famous red head. There is a lot of stuff by him available.

 

[Salv]

For Brit Loungers interested in this sort of thing, there's an excellent 4-CD compilation called Latin Jazz Essentials, available for just £6.99 from play.com. Unfortunately it doesn't appear to be available in the US.

 

[Camille]

If you're in to rumba, there's the amazing Lecuona Cuban Boys, and Alberto Rabagliati.

 

[Paisley]

I've created a station on Pandora.com called Golden Era Latin. It plays many of the musicians mentioned here. (In fact, this thread is where I got the info I needed. Thanks to everyone who posted!) If it doesn't come up in a search, PM me your e-mail address and I'll share it with you. It's called Golden Era Latin; I think you can do a search for it. It plays mostly 30s, 40s and 50s Latin, but throws in a few odd choices of more modern stuff.