Product Description
Latin Beats is an eclectic but ultimately critical compilation of various Latin grooves from those crazy cats at Mr. Bongo Productions in London. Although this odd package is dedicated to the late bandleader Tito Puente, the disc is all over the dance board-but what a ride! Besides plucking gems from the entire career of El Rey ("Tito's Odyssey," "Watu Wasuri," "110th Street and 5th Avenue" and more), contemporary Ray Barretto delivers the classic "Soul Drummers." Nuyorican Soul turns up with its modern Latin classic "Nervous Track," said to be a turning point for house music. Cannonball Adderly's "Jive Samba" is worked out pretty good by Jack Costanazo and Gerry Woo. The Archie Bell classic "Tighten Up" is given a lively reading by Al Escobar and his Orchestra. Cuba's Los Van Van contributes a couple of burners but in the home stretch it's all Tito-including a Mr. Bongo mix of "Oye Como Va." Beny Mori, the godfather of modern salsa, closes the party mix with "Babarabatiri," an edgy mambo workout. Latin Beats is like a soundtrack to a great dance club or house party, one where you can be sure the DJ has done his homework. -William Bloomhuff