A great CD!
S. Hawkins | New York, NY | 10/30/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For people who would like to get into Latin Jazz, but aren't quite sure where to start, this is a pretty good way to go. It begins with Tanga - ostensibly the "first" Latin Jazz tune composedm and works its way up to younger players like David Sanchez. Along the way it does a good job of touching upon major figures in the history of Latin Jazz and derivatives of such.My only quibble is that they should have at least made this a two CD set. A lot of fabulous music was left out, and there's more than enough to create a set similar to the Smithsonian Collection of Classic Jazz.Regardless, it may be only one CD, but it's a great CD. You should buy it."
When the Latin Tinge Became Intense, Hot, and Sexy
Dr. Debra Jan Bibel | Oakland, CA USA | 10/21/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The most important aspect of this compilation is its being issued by the Smithsonian, meaning that it is scholarly and historically rooted rather than a selection from some label's archive. Indeed, it was produced to accompany an exhibit and a book. The Columbia Essential Latin Jazz, isn't. Not even close. The Putumayo anthology at least has the major pioneer Latino band leaders. With the Smithsonian compilation, however, we hear the key historic recordings, many of the same presented in the recent PBS series on Latin Jazz: Machito's Tanga, Dizzy Gillspie's Manteca, Stan Kenton's The Peanut Vendor, Tito Puente's Mambo Beat, Mongo Santamaria's Afro-Blue, Cal Tjader's Soul Sauce, and more recent artists, such as David Sanchez, Paquito D'Rivera, Arturo Sandoval, and Chucho Valdés' Con Poco Coco. The extensive liner notes are bilingual. The album is 69 minutes in duration. The 15 selections are outstanding. It begins with Tanga and the excitement of that stunning composition continues through the series of tracks. For a historical survey, this album is the truly essential anthology for jazz and Latin jazz collectors."