Top Percussion (CD)

New York City-born percussionist Tito Puente infused his big-band music with the mambo sound he helped to popularize in the US. He started out playing with the likes of Noro Morales and Machito before starting his own band in the late 1940s. Known as "King of the Mambo," Puente styled himself after the great swing-era band leaders, and ruled for years over a dance-oriented world of Latin rhythms spiced with jazz and pop. Through mambo, cha-cha, salsa, and more, Puente's career weathered the ups and downs of musical trends, and the iconic band leader, who passed away in 2000, ranks as a legend of Latin jazz.

• Category:  Music  »  Jazz  »  Latin
• Format: CD   Learn more about the CD format using Tower WIKI.
• Release Date: June 15, 1992
• Label: RCA International
• UPC: 078635326420
• WAPI (Tower ID): 106720759
• Average Customer Review: There are no customer reviews yet. Be the first to write a review!
• Tower.com Sales Rank: #67694 in Music (See Top 100 Music Bestsellers)
• #5625 in Jazz (See Top 100 Jazz Bestsellers)
• #92 in Latin (See Top 100 Latin Bestsellers)

Browse more products related to "Top Percussion"

Browse more products related to "Tito Puente"

Personnel includes: Tito Puente (timbales); Marcelino Guerra, Mercedita (vocals); Evaristo Baro (bass); Gene Quill, Allen Fields (alto saxophones); Marty Holmes (tenor saxophone); Joe Grimm (baritone saxophone); Francis Williams, John Frosk, Gene Rapetti, Doc Severinsen, Jimmy Frisaura (trumpet); Eddie Bert, Bob Ascher, Sonny Russo (trombone); Alvin Gellers (piano); Barry Galbraith (guitar); Bobby Rodriguez (bass); Jimmy Cobb (drums); Mongo Santamaria, Willie Bobo, Francisco Aguabella, Enrique Marti (percussion); Julito Collazo (percussion, background vocals).

Recorded in New York, New York in 1957. Includes original release liner notes revised by Domingo Echevarria and Harry Sepulveda.

TOP PERCUSSION presents Afro-Cuban music in its purest form, with 11 of the 12 tracks recorded by a group of the finest Cuban and Puerto Rican musicians working in New York in the 1950s. Each side of the original album was recorded on a separate occasion, and they each offer a distinct flavor of the Afro-Cuban experience.

The first side showcases a powerhouse percussion ensemble led by Puente and featuring Mongo Santamaria and Willie Bobo. Puente's supple timbale work drives a series of complex 6/8 rhythms thoroughly rooted in the African call-and-response tradition.

The second side of the original album spotlights Puente's combustive timbale work. The master drummer demonstrates the classic fire and dynamic control which have made him such an enduring role model for generations of timbaleros. The concluding track, "Night Ritual," is a fascinating mini-suite that synthesizes elements of modern jazz with propulsive Afro-Cuban dance rhythms, a vital style of music which Puente's band helped develop and popularize.

There are no customer reviews yet. Be the first to write a review!

• Great Deals on CDs under $9.99

  New Releases, Bestsellers and Classic Albums all for under $10! Great Music for Everyone's Tastes!

• Great Deals on DVDs under $12.99

  New Releases, Bestsellers and Classic DVDs all for under $13! Great Movies, TV and DVD Specials for Everyone's Tastes!

• Great Deals on Books under $14.99

  New Releases, Bestsellers and Classic Books all for under $15! Great Reads for Everyone's Tastes!