Pete Terrace - Pete With A Latin Beat (1957)

Pete with a Latin Beat finds Terrace at the peak of his career, having succeeded in Latin and jazz and with several Tico albums under his belt. Four of the tunes are originals, and most are arranged by Terrace. "Masabi" is one of a few, lively vocal tracks. Material ranges from bolero-mambos spotlighting Terrace's vibraphone, to challenging big-band Latin numbers. One standout, and an original, "Kim's Cha Cha," is a driving, progressive, mambo-jazz anticipating salsa; it is sandwiched between "Puchunga" and "Playboy," two great vocal tracks. Pete with a Latin Beat is one of those wonderful Tico albums describable as "well-rounded with a few sharp edges."

© Tony Wilds

Tracklist:
1 Always In My Heart (Siempre En Mi Corazón)
2 The Baker (El Cha Cha Cha Del Panadero)
3 I'll Remember April
4 Masabi
5 Blue Star
6 Terrace Jump
7 Playboy
8 Kim's Cha Cha Cha
9 Puchunga
10 Blen Blen Blen
11 Leono (La Negra Leono)
12 Toni's Cha Cha Cha