Craft Latino proudly pronounces the first-ever vinyl reissue of Mambo Diablo<\/em>, the acclaimed 1985 album from legendary bandleader and percussionist Tito Puente<\/strong><\/a>. Offering a energetic mix of requirements and originals (together with fan favourite \u201cMambo Diablo\u201d) this long-out-of-print basic finds the King of Latin Jazz placing his personal twist on classics like \u201cTake Five,\u201d \u201cLush Life\u201d and \u201cLullaby of Birdland\u201d (that includes its composer, George Shearing, on piano).<\/p>\n Set for launch on May 26, Mambo Diablo<\/em> 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<\/em> will make its debut on hi-res audio (192\/24).<\/p>\n This particular reissue arrives as Craft Latino celebrates the centennial of Tito Puente. Throughout the 12 months, Puente\u2019s important contributions to Latin music shall be honored by particular reissues (together with an April launch of the bandleader\u2019s 1972 basic, Para los Rumberos<\/em>), unique digital content material and far more.<\/p>\n Tito Puente (1923\u20132000) 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\u2013born, Puerto Rican timbalero had reigned because the King of Latin Jazz, whereas his massively standard information (and hits like 1962\u2019s \u201cOye Como Va\u201d) introduced Afro-Cuban and Caribbean rhythms into the mainstream, popularizing kinds like mambo, cha-cha-ch\u00e1 and son. In the \u201970s, Carlos Santana\u2019s hit renditions of \u201cPara los Rumberos\u201d and the aforementioned \u201cOye Como Va\u201d launched Puente to a brand new era of followers, whereas the \u201980s ushered in one more profession resurgence for the prolific bandleader.<\/p>\n 1985\u2019s Mambo Diablo<\/em> stands as a very excessive level in Puente\u2019s catalog throughout this era and marks the bandleader\u2019s third launch with Concord Picante (the then lately established Latin arm of Concord Records). A refreshing mix of basic and authentic materials, Mambo Diablo<\/em> deftly bridges the hole between Latin and jazz and serves as a testomony not solely to Puente\u2019s versatility as a musician (his excellent work on the vibraphone might be heard all through the album) but in addition as an knowledgeable arranger. \u201cHis ideas, segues, choruses, and handling of [the] ensemble\u2019s sections simply [sparkle],\u201d praises Pablo Guzman in his liner notes.<\/p>\n Puente and his all-star Latin Ensemble put their magic contact on requirements like Billy Strayhorn\u2019s \u201cLush Life,\u201d the Jerome Kern\/Dorothy Fields basic \u201cPick Yourself Up\u201d and Paul Desmond\u2019s \u201cTake Five\u201d (made well-known by Dave Brubeck), whereas their chic rendition of \u201cLullaby of Birdland\u201d encompasses a cameo by the music\u2019s composer, George Shearing, on piano. Rounding out the album is a basic bolero, \u201cNo Pienses As\u00ed,\u201d courtesy of the legendary Cuban composer P\u00e9rez \u201cPepe\u201d Delgado. Mambo Diablo<\/em> additionally options a number of originals, together with \u201cChina\u201d and the joyful title observe, which opens the album. Led by Puente on the vibes, \u201cMambo Diablo\u201d showcases the skills of his band members, together with Sonny Bravo (piano), Bobby Rodriguez (bass), Jose Madera (congas, percussion), Johnny \u201cDandy\u201d Rodriguez (bongos, percussion), Jimmy Frisaura (valve trombone, trumpet, flute), Mario Rivera (flute, saxophone) and Ray Gonzalez (trumpet, flugelhorn).<\/p>\n Reflecting on the album, Guzman argues that Mambo Diablo<\/em>\u2014and the range of its tracklist\u2014permits followers the chance to witness the complete scope of Puente\u2019s musicianship: \u201cPuente is about much more than being a richly rhythmic drummer.\u201d<\/p>\n While Puente was in his early 60s when Mambo Diablo<\/em> was launched, he was nonetheless very a lot within the prime of his profession\u2014with a lot extra to perform. In the next years, he would carry out on the 1996 Summer Olympics\u2019 closing ceremony, seem in quite a lot of movies (together with 1987\u2019s Radio Days<\/em>, 1992\u2019s The Mambo Kings<\/em> and the 2000 documentary Calle 54<\/em>), and even make a cameo on The Simpsons<\/em>. 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<\/strong><\/a>, Dizzy Gillespie<\/strong><\/a> and Celia Cruz<\/strong><\/a>. During his five-decade-long profession, Puente additionally acquired a mess of honors, together with 5 GRAMMYS, Billboard\u2019s Latin Music Lifetime Achievement Award and the celebrated National Medal of Arts from the United States authorities.<\/p>\n