Mongo Explodes/Watermelon Man

• Artist: Mongo Santamaria
• Rating:
• Release Date: March 03, 1995
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Latin

Review

Herbie Hancock's "Watermelon Man" was a gigantic hit for Mongo Santamaria in 1962, doing for him in the '60s what Perez Prado's big mambo hits did for him in the '50s. Naturally, then, the follow-up LP -- one of two Santamaria efforts included on this reissue -- is devoted to twelve airplay-length tracks loaded with bright, swinging Latin cha-chas and mambo rhythms mixed with blues, soul and jazz, presumably suitable for twisting the night away. Rodgers Grant's piano supplies a good deal of the harmonic foundation of jazz, with the help of an occasional jazz solo from saxes Pat Patrick and Bobby Capers, while Marty Sheller's commanding party-time trumpet rides above the thundering congas of Mongo. In this setting, even the venerable "The Peanut Vendor" is brought right up to date. Mongo Explodes, also featured, dates from 1967. ~ Richard S. Ginell, Rovi

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