Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
The two records that make up Our Man in Havana (the other date was originally called Bembe) were recorded in 1960 during a visit to Cuba by Mongo Santamaria and Willie Bobo. The first set is superb, featuring an unusual mixture of instruments for a Cuban band: two trumpets, flute, piano, tres (Nino Rivera), bass, timbales, bongos, guiro, conga, and two vocalists. The playing by the local musicians is of high quality, and the ten selections are quite enjoyable. Unfortunately though, that project is combined with the cuts from Bembe, which are in a very different style. The latter project has the music performed entirely by vocalists, other than the percussion of Santamaria and Bobo. Consisting of folk melodies and religious songs, with the emphasis totally on the chanting and singing, the music is intriguing from a historical standpoint but the jazz content is nil on this emotional date (which has Merceditas Valdes taking the vocal on four numbers). So, overall, this is definitely a mixed bag.
© Scott Yanow /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From $10.83/month
Nino Rivera, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Paquito, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Willie Bobo, Bongos, Timbales , AssociatedPerformer - Júlio, Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Mongo Santamaria, Conga, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Pepito, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Cheo Junco, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bol, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Gustavito, Guiro, AssociatedPerformer - Armandito El Fine, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Yeyito, Triangle, Bongos, AssociatedPerformer - Armando Raymact, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Esther Cruz Alvarez, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1960 Fantasy, Inc.
Nino Rivera, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Paquito, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Willie Bobo, Bongos, Timbales , AssociatedPerformer - Júlio, Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Mongo Santamaria, Conga, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Pepito, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Cheo Junco, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bol, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Gustavito, Guiro, AssociatedPerformer - Armandito El Fine, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Yeyito, Triangle, Bongos, AssociatedPerformer - Armando Raymact, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1960 Fantasy, Inc.
Nino Rivera, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Paquito, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Willie Bobo, Bongos, Timbales , AssociatedPerformer - Júlio, Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Mongo Santamaria, Conga, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Pepito, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Cheo Junco, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bol, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Gustavito, Guiro, AssociatedPerformer - Armandito El Fine, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Yeyito, Triangle, Bongos, AssociatedPerformer - Armando Raymact, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1960 Fantasy, Inc.
Nino Rivera, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Paquito, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Willie Bobo, Bongos, Timbales , AssociatedPerformer - Júlio, Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Mongo Santamaria, Conga, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Pepito, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Cheo Junco, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bol, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Gustavito, Guiro, AssociatedPerformer - Armandito El Fine, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Yeyito, Triangle, Bongos, AssociatedPerformer - Armando Raymact, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1960 Fantasy, Inc.
Nino Rivera, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Paquito, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Willie Bobo, Bongos, Timbales , AssociatedPerformer - Júlio, Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Mongo Santamaria, Conga, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Pepito, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Cheo Junco, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bol, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Gustavito, Guiro, AssociatedPerformer - Armandito El Fine, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Yeyito, Triangle, Bongos, AssociatedPerformer - Armando Raymact, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1960 Fantasy, Inc.
Armando Peraza, ComposerLyricist - Nino Rivera, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Paquito, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Willie Bobo, Bongos, Timbales , AssociatedPerformer - Júlio, Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Mongo Santamaria, Conga, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Pepito, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Cheo Junco, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bol, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Gustavito, Guiro, AssociatedPerformer - Armandito El Fine, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Yeyito, Triangle, Bongos, AssociatedPerformer - Armando Raymact, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1960 Fantasy, Inc.
Nino Rivera, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Paquito, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Willie Bobo, Bongos, Timbales , AssociatedPerformer - Júlio, Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Mongo Santamaria, Conga, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Pepito, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Cheo Junco, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bol, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Gustavito, Guiro, AssociatedPerformer - Armandito El Fine, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Yeyito, Triangle, Bongos, AssociatedPerformer - Armando Raymact, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1960 Fantasy, Inc.
Nino Rivera, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Paquito, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Willie Bobo, Bongos, Timbales , AssociatedPerformer - Júlio, Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Hewitt, ComposerLyricist - Mongo Santamaria, Conga, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Pepito, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Cheo Junco, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bol, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Gustavito, Guiro, AssociatedPerformer - Armandito El Fine, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Yeyito, Triangle, Bongos, AssociatedPerformer - Armando Raymact, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1960 Fantasy, Inc.
Nino Rivera, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Paquito, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Willie Bobo, Bongos, Timbales , AssociatedPerformer - Júlio, Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Mongo Santamaria, Conga, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Pepito, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Cheo Junco, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bol, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Gustavito, Guiro, AssociatedPerformer - Armandito El Fine, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Yeyito, Triangle, Bongos, AssociatedPerformer - Armando Raymact, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1960 Fantasy, Inc.
Nino Rivera, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Paquito, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Willie Bobo, Bongos, Timbales , AssociatedPerformer - Júlio, Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Mongo Santamaria, Conga, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Pepito, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Cheo Junco, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bol, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Gustavito, Guiro, AssociatedPerformer - Armandito El Fine, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Yeyito, Triangle, Bongos, AssociatedPerformer - Armando Raymact, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1960 Fantasy, Inc.
Willie Bobo, Bongos, Timbales , AssociatedPerformer - Mongo Santamaria, Conga, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Cuban All Stars, Orchestra/Member, AssociatedPerformer - Luis Santamaria, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1960 Fantasy, Inc.
Willie Bobo, Bongos, Timbales , AssociatedPerformer - Merceditas Valdes, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Mongo Santamaria, Conga, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Cuban All Stars, Orchestra/Member, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1960 Fantasy, Inc.
Willie Bobo, Bongos, Timbales , AssociatedPerformer - Merceditas Valdes, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Mongo Santamaria, Conga, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Cuban All Stars, Orchestra/Member, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1960 Fantasy, Inc.
Willie Bobo, Bongos, Timbales , AssociatedPerformer - Merceditas Valdes, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Mongo Santamaria, Conga, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Cuban All Stars, Orchestra/Member, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1960 Fantasy, Inc.
Willie Bobo, Bongos, Timbales , AssociatedPerformer - Mongo Santamaria, Conga, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Cuban All Stars, Orchestra/Member, AssociatedPerformer - Luis Santamaria, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1960 Fantasy, Inc.
Willie Bobo, Bongos, Timbales , AssociatedPerformer - Mongo Santamaria, Conga, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Cuban All Stars, Orchestra/Member, AssociatedPerformer - Carlos Embale, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Francisco Aquabella, ComposerLyricist - Finco, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1960 Fantasy, Inc.
Willie Bobo, Bongos, Timbales , AssociatedPerformer - Merceditas Valdes, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Mongo Santamaria, Conga, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Cuban All Stars, Orchestra/Member, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1960 Fantasy, Inc.
Willie Bobo, Bongos, Timbales , AssociatedPerformer - Mongo Santamaria, Conga, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Cuban All Stars, Orchestra/Member, AssociatedPerformer - Carlos Embale, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Mario Arenas, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1960 Fantasy, Inc.
Willie Bobo, Bongos, Timbales , AssociatedPerformer - Mongo Santamaria, Conga, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Cuban All Stars, Orchestra/Member, AssociatedPerformer - Macucho, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1960 Fantasy, Inc.
Willie Bobo, Bongos, Timbales , AssociatedPerformer - Mongo Santamaria, Conga, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Cuban All Stars, Orchestra/Member, AssociatedPerformer - Carlos Embale, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Francisco Aquabella, ComposerLyricist - Finco, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1960 Fantasy, Inc.
Album review
The two records that make up Our Man in Havana (the other date was originally called Bembe) were recorded in 1960 during a visit to Cuba by Mongo Santamaria and Willie Bobo. The first set is superb, featuring an unusual mixture of instruments for a Cuban band: two trumpets, flute, piano, tres (Nino Rivera), bass, timbales, bongos, guiro, conga, and two vocalists. The playing by the local musicians is of high quality, and the ten selections are quite enjoyable. Unfortunately though, that project is combined with the cuts from Bembe, which are in a very different style. The latter project has the music performed entirely by vocalists, other than the percussion of Santamaria and Bobo. Consisting of folk melodies and religious songs, with the emphasis totally on the chanting and singing, the music is intriguing from a historical standpoint but the jazz content is nil on this emotional date (which has Merceditas Valdes taking the vocal on four numbers). So, overall, this is definitely a mixed bag.
© Scott Yanow /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 20 track(s)
- Total length: 01:13:08
- Main artists: Mongo Santamaria
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Fantasy Records
- Genre: Jazz
© 1993 Fantasy, Inc. This Compilation ℗ 1993 Fantasy, Inc.
Improve album information
Why buy on Qobuz?
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalog with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets, and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.