Craft Latino proudly pronounces the first-ever vinyl reissue of Mambo Diablo, the acclaimed 1985 album from legendary bandleader and percussionist Tito Puente. Offering a energetic mix of requirements and originals (together with fan favourite “Mambo Diablo”) this long-out-of-print basic finds the King of Latin Jazz placing his personal twist on classics like “Take Five,” “Lush Life” and “Lullaby of Birdland” (that includes its composer, George Shearing, on piano).
Set for launch on May 26, Mambo Diablo was lower from the unique grasp tapes (AAA) by Kevin Gray 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 City TV reporter Pablo Guzman. Additionally, 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. Throughout the 12 months, Puente’s important contributions to Latin music shall be honored by particular reissues (together with an April launch of the bandleader’s 1972 basic, Para los Rumberos), unique digital content material and far more.
Tito Puente (1923–2000) lived numerous musical lives throughout his five-decade-long profession. When he signed with Concord Picante in 1983, the celebrated songwriter, bandleader, producer and percussionist was having fun with dwelling 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 standard information (and hits like 1962’s “Oye Como Va”) introduced Afro-Cuban and Caribbean rhythms into the mainstream, popularizing kinds like mambo, cha-cha-chá and son. In 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 Concord Picante (the then lately established Latin arm of Concord Records). A refreshing mix of basic 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 knowledgeable arranger. “His ideas, segues, choruses, and handling of [the] ensemble’s sections simply [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 basic “Pick Yourself Up” and Paul Desmond’s “Take Five” (made well-known by Dave Brubeck), whereas their chic rendition of “Lullaby of Birdland” encompasses a cameo by the music’s composer, George Shearing, on piano. Rounding out the album is a basic 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 skills 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 range of its tracklist—permits followers the chance to witness the complete scope of Puente’s musicianship: “Puente is about much more than being a richly rhythmic drummer.”
While Puente was in his early 60s when Mambo Diablo was launched, he was nonetheless very a lot within the prime of his profession—with a lot extra to perform. In the next years, he would carry out on the 1996 Summer Olympics’ closing ceremony, seem in quite a lot 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. At the time of his loss of life, his catalog boasted over 100 albums and greater than 400 compositions, whereas his prolonged checklist of collaborators included such legends as Quincy Jones, Dizzy Gillespie and Celia Cruz. During his five-decade-long profession, Puente additionally acquired a mess of honors, together with 5 GRAMMYS, Billboard’s Latin Music Lifetime Achievement Award and the celebrated National Medal of Arts from the United States authorities.