Craft Latino proudly proclaims the first-ever vinyl reissue of Mambo Diablo, the acclaimed 1985 album from legendary bandleader and percussionist Tito Puente. Providing a energetic mix of requirements and originals (together with fan favourite “Mambo Diablo”) this long-out-of-print traditional finds the King of Latin Jazz placing his personal twist on classics like “Take 5,” “Lush Life” and “Lullaby of Birdland” (that includes its composer, George Shearing, on piano).
Set for launch on Might 26, Mambo Diablo was minimize from the unique grasp tapes (AAA) by Kevin Grey at Cohearent Audio. Pressed on 180-gram vinyl and housed in a tip-on jacket, the album additionally options its authentic liner notes by the Emmy-winning journalist and longtime New York Metropolis TV reporter Pablo Guzman. Moreover, Mambo Diablo will make its debut on hi-res audio (192/24).
This particular reissue arrives as Craft Latino celebrates the centennial of Tito Puente. All year long, Puente’s very important contributions to Latin music shall be honored by particular reissues (together with an April launch of the bandleader’s 1972 traditional, Para los Rumberos), unique digital content material and way more.
Tito Puente (1923–2000) lived numerous musical lives throughout his five-decade-long profession. When he signed with Harmony Picante in 1983, the celebrated songwriter, bandleader, producer and percussionist was having fun with residing legend standing, with completely no indicators of slowing down. For greater than 30 years, the New York–born, Puerto Rican timbalero had reigned because the King of Latin Jazz, whereas his massively common data (and hits like 1962’s “Oye Como Va”) introduced Afro-Cuban and Caribbean rhythms into the mainstream, popularizing types like mambo, cha-cha-chá and son. Within the ’70s, Carlos Santana’s hit renditions of “Para los Rumberos” and the aforementioned “Oye Como Va” launched Puente to a brand new era of followers, whereas the ’80s ushered in one more profession resurgence for the prolific bandleader.
1985’s Mambo Diablo stands as a very excessive level in Puente’s catalog throughout this era and marks the bandleader’s third launch with Harmony Picante (the then lately established Latin arm of Harmony Data). A refreshing mix of traditional and authentic materials, Mambo Diablo deftly bridges the hole between Latin and jazz and serves as a testomony not solely to Puente’s versatility as a musician (his excellent work on the vibraphone might be heard all through the album) but in addition as an skilled arranger. “His concepts, segues, choruses, and dealing with of [the] ensemble’s sections merely [sparkle],” praises Pablo Guzman in his liner notes.
Puente and his all-star Latin Ensemble put their magic contact on requirements like Billy Strayhorn’s “Lush Life,” the Jerome Kern/Dorothy Fields traditional “Decide Your self Up” and Paul Desmond’s “Take 5” (made well-known by Dave Brubeck), whereas their elegant rendition of “Lullaby of Birdland” includes a cameo by the tune’s composer, George Shearing, on piano. Rounding out the album is a traditional bolero, “No Pienses Así,” courtesy of the legendary Cuban composer Pérez “Pepe” Delgado. Mambo Diablo additionally options a number of originals, together with “China” and the joyful title observe, which opens the album. Led by Puente on the vibes, “Mambo Diablo” showcases the abilities of his band members, together with Sonny Bravo (piano), Bobby Rodriguez (bass), Jose Madera (congas, percussion), Johnny “Dandy” Rodriguez (bongos, percussion), Jimmy Frisaura (valve trombone, trumpet, flute), Mario Rivera (flute, saxophone) and Ray Gonzalez (trumpet, flugelhorn).
Reflecting on the album, Guzman argues that Mambo Diablo—and the variety of its tracklist—permits followers the chance to witness the total scope of Puente’s musicianship: “Puente is about way more than being a richly rhythmic drummer.”
Whereas Puente was in his early 60s when Mambo Diablo was launched, he was nonetheless very a lot within the prime of his profession—with loads extra to perform. Within the following years, he would carry out on the 1996 Summer time Olympics’ closing ceremony, seem in a wide range of movies (together with 1987’s Radio Days, 1992’s The Mambo Kings and the 2000 documentary Calle 54), and even make a cameo on The Simpsons. On the time of his dying, his catalog boasted over 100 albums and greater than 400 compositions, whereas his prolonged listing of collaborators included such legends as Quincy Jones, Dizzy Gillespie and Celia Cruz. Throughout his five-decade-long profession, Puente additionally obtained a mess of honors, together with 5 GRAMMYS, Billboard’s Latin Music Lifetime Achievement Award and the celebrated Nationwide Medal of Arts from america authorities.
Pre-order Mambo Diablo.