Mongo Santamaria - Afro-Indio (2023) [Hi-Res]

Originally released in 1975, this set by master Cuban percussionist Mongo Santamaria is an exercise in smooth jazz and jazz-funk. Besides its amazing cover by Ron Levine, this disc holds a special place in Santamaria's catalog. This was the first time he was able to reach his goal of making a large band — in this case, 14 musicians — sound like an intimate combo. "Creepin" kicks it off; it's an easy-groove number reminiscent of the Crusaders' slippery moves at the time — think Scratch. "Funk Up," "Mambomongo," and "Funk Down" juxtapose Afro-beat, War-style R&B and funk, steamy salsa horns, and just a touch of Jimi Hendrix for a smokin' raw slice of heated riffing on a theme and two variations. Drummer Bernard Purdie kept the entire band anchored, while saxophonist Justo Almario cuts a mean swathe with his solo in the middle of the track, in the heart of a horn stomp that is unequaled on any of Santamaria's other records. There's even a version LaBelle's "Lady Marmalade" that has a vocal chorus to back up Almario's razored saxophone lines; with its Afro-funk backbeat and driving horn section, this one was made for the dancefloor. There is some schlock here, though, in the Joe Gallardo-arranged "Song for You" (not the Bernie Taupin/Elton John tune), a syrupy waste of time and energy with the wimpiest, most anemic flute solo ever recorded (this makes Hubert Laws' most sentimental moments seem like the theme from Rocky). At seven-and-a-half minutes, this would have been better served on the cutting-room floor. Despite a few dumpy cuts, this one is necessary for fans of classic '70s soul-jazz and jazz-funk; it's also of peculiar but pointed interest to those interested in the evolution of Afro-Cuban beat science. ~ Thom Jurek

Tracklist:
1.01 - Mongo Santamaria - Creepin' (4:10)
1.02 - Mongo Santamaria - Funk Up (3:19)
1.03 - Mongo Santamaria - Mambomongo (5:58)
1.04 - Mongo Santamaria - Funk Down (3:26)
1.05 - Mongo Santamaria - Los Indios (7:26)
1.06 - Mongo Santamaria - Lady Marmalade (3:16)
1.07 - Mongo Santamaria - The Promised Land (6:49)
1.08 - Mongo Santamaria - What You Don't Know (4:22)
1.09 - Mongo Santamaria - Song For You (7:30)
1.10 - Mongo Santamaria - Midnight And You (4:06)