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Santamaria recorded an entire album in March 1969 that was inspired by the Afro-Cuban religion Santeria with encouragement from producer David Rubinson. It was done, however, in an era when Santamaria was being marketed by Columbia as a jazz-pop-soul crossover artist. The label rejected the album and it was shelved until 2000, when it finally appeared as a CD. While it's a solid record, and certainly closer to Santamaria's roots than much of his Columbia work was, one would be hard-pressed to say that its failure to appear when it was first made was a tragedy. Really, it's not too much different than the less soul-pop-oriented Latin jazz Santamaria has done throughout his career. Perhaps it's at times a little looser and bolder than Santamaria was wont to be, as with Sonny Fortune's squealing alto sax lines on "Mambo Leah" or the ten-minute "Obatala," a rave-up that moves from an opening conga/bata duet through several sections into a hyper-tempo charanga. But it's not all along these lines: "Sheila" is just a mellow jazz ballad (not that there's anything wrong with that) while "Me and You Baby" and "Boogaloo Wow" are more in line with the boogaloo that was raking in the sales for Mongo and Columbia. It's nice that Mongo fans have an opportunity to hear it after the passage of 30 years, but it's difficult to say that it would have made any difference to the trajectory of his career had it appeared as Santamaria and Rubinson intended, although the success of Santana right after its cancellation might have helped draw attention to it. One of the songs, the aforementioned "Me and You Baby," did appear on the 1970 album All Strung Out; otherwise, everything else was previously unreleased. In addition, there are five bonus live tracks recorded in 1968.
© Richie Unterberger /TiVo
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Charles M. Owens, Tenor Saxophone - Mongo Santamaria, Composer - Mongo Santamaria, Lyricist - Mongo Santamaria, Congas - Mongo Santamaria, Bongos - Mongo Santamaria, Performer - David Rubinson, Producer - Howard Fritzon, Director - Lew Soloff, Trumpet - Steve Berrios, Drums - Julito Collazo, Vocal - Marty Sheller, Arranger - Rogers Grant, Piano - Stephan Moore, Project Coordinator - Darren Salmieri, A&R Coordinator - Mario Riviera, Tenor Saxophone - Joseph M. Palmaccio, Mastering Engineer - Jerry Rappaport, Producer - Patti Matheny, A&R Coordinator - Hubert Laws, Flute - Hubert Laws, Tenor Saxophone - Hubert Laws, Piccolo - Sonny Fortune, Alto Saxophone - Sonny Fortune, Baritone Saxophone - William Allen, Bass - Mark J. Levine, Piano - Ray Maldonado, Trumpet - Steve Berkowitz, A&R Coordinator - Ronnie Marks, Vocal - Ocvaldo Martinez, Vocal
Originally Recorded 1969 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Charles M. Owens, Tenor Saxophone - Mongo Santamaria, Composer - Mongo Santamaria, Lyricist - Mongo Santamaria, Congas - Mongo Santamaria, Bongos - Mongo Santamaria, Performer - David Rubinson, Producer - Howard Fritzon, Director - Lew Soloff, Trumpet - Steve Berrios, Drums - Julito Collazo, Vocal - Marty Sheller, Arranger - Rogers Grant, Piano - Stephan Moore, Project Coordinator - Darren Salmieri, A&R Coordinator - Mario Riviera, Tenor Saxophone - Joseph M. Palmaccio, Mastering Engineer - Jerry Rappaport, Producer - Patti Matheny, A&R Coordinator - Hubert Laws, Flute - Hubert Laws, Tenor Saxophone - Hubert Laws, Piccolo - Sonny Fortune, Alto Saxophone - Sonny Fortune, Baritone Saxophone - William Allen, Bass - Mark J. Levine, Piano - Ray Maldonado, Trumpet - Steve Berkowitz, A&R Coordinator - Ronnie Marks, Vocal - Ocvaldo Martinez, Vocal
Originally Recorded 1969 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Charles M. Owens, Tenor Saxophone - Mongo Santamaria, Congas - Mongo Santamaria, Bongos - Mongo Santamaria, Performer - David Rubinson, Producer - Howard Fritzon, Director - Lew Soloff, Trumpet - Steve Berrios, Drums - Julito Collazo, Vocal - Marty Sheller, Composer - Marty Sheller, Lyricist - Marty Sheller, Arranger - Rogers Grant, Piano - Stephan Moore, Project Coordinator - Darren Salmieri, A&R Coordinator - Mario Riviera, Tenor Saxophone - Joseph M. Palmaccio, Mastering Engineer - Jerry Rappaport, Producer - Patti Matheny, A&R Coordinator - Hubert Laws, Flute - Hubert Laws, Tenor Saxophone - Hubert Laws, Piccolo - Sonny Fortune, Alto Saxophone - Sonny Fortune, Baritone Saxophone - William Allen, Bass - Mark J. Levine, Piano - Ray Maldonado, Trumpet - Steve Berkowitz, A&R Coordinator - Ronnie Marks, Vocal - Ocvaldo Martinez, Vocal
Originally Recorded 1969 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Charles M. Owens, Tenor Saxophone - Mongo Santamaria, Congas - Mongo Santamaria, Bongos - Mongo Santamaria, Performer - David Rubinson, Producer - Howard Fritzon, Director - Lew Soloff, Trumpet - Steve Berrios, Drums - Julito Collazo, Vocal - Marty Sheller, Arranger - Rogers Grant, Piano - Mark Levine, Composer - Mark Levine, Lyricist - Stephan Moore, Project Coordinator - Darren Salmieri, A&R Coordinator - Mario Riviera, Tenor Saxophone - Joseph M. Palmaccio, Mastering Engineer - Jerry Rappaport, Producer - Patti Matheny, A&R Coordinator - Hubert Laws, Flute - Hubert Laws, Tenor Saxophone - Hubert Laws, Piccolo - Sonny Fortune, Alto Saxophone - Sonny Fortune, Baritone Saxophone - William Allen, Bass - Mark J. Levine, Piano - Ray Maldonado, Trumpet - Steve Berkowitz, A&R Coordinator - Ronnie Marks, Vocal - Ocvaldo Martinez, Vocal
Originally Recorded 1969 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Charles M. Owens, Tenor Saxophone - Mongo Santamaria, Congas - Mongo Santamaria, Bongos - Mongo Santamaria, Performer - David Rubinson, Producer - Howard Fritzon, Director - Lew Soloff, Trumpet - Steve Berrios, Drums - Julito Collazo, Vocal - Marty Sheller, Arranger - Jay Barretto, Composer - Jay Barretto, Lyricist - Rogers Grant, Piano - Stephan Moore, Project Coordinator - Darren Salmieri, A&R Coordinator - Mario Riviera, Tenor Saxophone - Joseph M. Palmaccio, Mastering Engineer - Jerry Rappaport, Producer - Patti Matheny, A&R Coordinator - Hubert Laws, Flute - Hubert Laws, Tenor Saxophone - Hubert Laws, Piccolo - Sonny Fortune, Alto Saxophone - Sonny Fortune, Baritone Saxophone - William Allen, Bass - Mark J. Levine, Piano - Ray Maldonado, Trumpet - Steve Berkowitz, A&R Coordinator - Ronnie Marks, Vocal - Ocvaldo Martinez, Vocal
Originally Recorded 1969 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Charles M. Owens, Tenor Saxophone - Mongo Santamaria, Composer - Mongo Santamaria, Lyricist - Mongo Santamaria, Congas - Mongo Santamaria, Bongos - Mongo Santamaria, Performer - David Rubinson, Producer - Howard Fritzon, Director - Lew Soloff, Trumpet - Steve Berrios, Drums - Julito Collazo, Vocal - Marty Sheller, Arranger - Rogers Grant, Piano - Stephan Moore, Project Coordinator - Darren Salmieri, A&R Coordinator - Mario Riviera, Tenor Saxophone - Joseph M. Palmaccio, Mastering Engineer - Jerry Rappaport, Producer - Patti Matheny, A&R Coordinator - Hubert Laws, Flute - Hubert Laws, Tenor Saxophone - Hubert Laws, Piccolo - Sonny Fortune, Alto Saxophone - Sonny Fortune, Baritone Saxophone - William Allen, Bass - Mark J. Levine, Piano - Ray Maldonado, Trumpet - Steve Berkowitz, A&R Coordinator - Ronnie Marks, Vocal - Ocvaldo Martinez, Vocal
Originally Released 1970 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Charles M. Owens, Tenor Saxophone - Mongo Santamaria, Congas - Mongo Santamaria, Bongos - Mongo Santamaria, Performer - David Rubinson, Producer - Howard Fritzon, Director - Lew Soloff, Trumpet - Steve Berrios, Drums - Julito Collazo, Vocal - Marty Sheller, Arranger - Rogers Grant, Piano - Stephan Moore, Project Coordinator - Darren Salmieri, A&R Coordinator - Mario Riviera, Tenor Saxophone - Joseph M. Palmaccio, Mastering Engineer - Jerry Rappaport, Producer - Patti Matheny, A&R Coordinator - Hubert Laws, Flute - Hubert Laws, Tenor Saxophone - Hubert Laws, Piccolo - Sonny Fortune, Alto Saxophone - Sonny Fortune, Baritone Saxophone - William Allen, Composer - William Allen, Lyricist - William Allen, Bass - Mark J. Levine, Piano - Ray Maldonado, Trumpet - Steve Berkowitz, A&R Coordinator - Ronnie Marks, Vocal - Ocvaldo Martinez, Vocal
Originally Recorded 1969 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Charles M. Owens, Tenor Saxophone - Mongo Santamaria, Congas - Mongo Santamaria, Bongos - Mongo Santamaria, Performer - David Rubinson, Producer - Howard Fritzon, Director - Lew Soloff, Trumpet - Steve Berrios, Drums - Julito Collazo, Vocal - Marty Sheller, Arranger - Rogers Grant, Piano - Stephan Moore, Project Coordinator - Darren Salmieri, A&R Coordinator - Mario Riviera, Tenor Saxophone - Joseph M. Palmaccio, Mastering Engineer - Jerry Rappaport, Producer - Patti Matheny, A&R Coordinator - Norman Simmons, Composer - Norman Simmons, Lyricist - Hubert Laws, Flute - Hubert Laws, Tenor Saxophone - Hubert Laws, Piccolo - Sonny Fortune, Alto Saxophone - Sonny Fortune, Baritone Saxophone - William Allen, Bass - Mark J. Levine, Piano - Ray Maldonado, Trumpet - Steve Berkowitz, A&R Coordinator - Ronnie Marks, Vocal - Ocvaldo Martinez, Vocal
Originally Recorded 1969 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Charles M. Owens, Tenor Saxophone - Mongo Santamaria, Congas - Mongo Santamaria, Bongos - Mongo Santamaria, Performer - David Rubinson, Producer - Howard Fritzon, Director - Lew Soloff, Trumpet - Steve Berrios, Drums - Julito Collazo, Vocal - Marty Sheller, Arranger - Rogers Grant, Piano - Stephan Moore, Project Coordinator - Darren Salmieri, A&R Coordinator - Mario Riviera, Tenor Saxophone - Joseph M. Palmaccio, Mastering Engineer - Jerry Rappaport, Producer - Patti Matheny, A&R Coordinator - Hubert Laws, Flute - Hubert Laws, Tenor Saxophone - Hubert Laws, Piccolo - Sonny Fortune, Alto Saxophone - Sonny Fortune, Baritone Saxophone - William Allen, Composer - William Allen, Lyricist - William Allen, Bass - Mark J. Levine, Piano - Ray Maldonado, Trumpet - Steve Berkowitz, A&R Coordinator - Ronnie Marks, Vocal - Ocvaldo Martinez, Vocal
Originally Recorded 1969 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Mongo Santamaria, Congas - Mongo Santamaria, Bongos - Mongo Santamaria, Performer - David Rubinson, Producer - Howard Fritzon, Director - Lew Soloff, Trumpet - Steve Berrios, Drums - Julito Collazo, Vocal - Marty Sheller, Arranger - Osvaldo Martinez, Vocal - Stephan Moore, Project Coordinator - Luis Gasca, Trumpet - Darren Salmieri, A&R Coordinator - Hadley Caliman, Tenor Saxophone - Joseph M. Palmaccio, Mastering Engineer - Jerry Rappaport, Producer - Rogers Grant, Piano - Patti Matheny, A&R Coordinator - Sonny Fortune, Alto Saxophone - Sonny Fortune, Baritone Saxophone - William Allen, Composer - William Allen, Lyricist - Ray Maldonado, Vocal - Ray Maldonado, Trumpet - Steve Berkowitz, A&R Coordinator - Victor Venegas, Bass
Originally recorded 1968. All rights reserved by Sony Music Entertainment
Mongo Santamaria, Congas - Mongo Santamaria, Bongos - Mongo Santamaria, Performer - David Rubinson, Producer - Howard Fritzon, Director - Lew Soloff, Trumpet - Steve Berrios, Drums - Julito Collazo, Vocal - Marty Sheller, Arranger - Osvaldo Martinez, Vocal - Stephan Moore, Project Coordinator - Luis Gasca, Trumpet - Darren Salmieri, A&R Coordinator - Hadley Caliman, Tenor Saxophone - Joseph M. Palmaccio, Mastering Engineer - Jerry Rappaport, Producer - Rogers Grant, Piano - Patti Matheny, A&R Coordinator - Sonny Fortune, Alto Saxophone - Sonny Fortune, Baritone Saxophone - William Allen, Composer - William Allen, Lyricist - Ray Maldonado, Vocal - Ray Maldonado, Trumpet - Steve Berkowitz, A&R Coordinator - Victor Venegas, Bass
Originally recorded 1968. All rights reserved by Sony Music Entertainment
Mongo Santamaria, Composer - Mongo Santamaria, Lyricist - Mongo Santamaria, Congas - Mongo Santamaria, Bongos - Mongo Santamaria, Performer - David Rubinson, Producer - Howard Fritzon, Director - Lew Soloff, Trumpet - Steve Berrios, Drums - Julito Collazo, Vocal - Marty Sheller, Arranger - Osvaldo Martinez, Vocal - Stephan Moore, Project Coordinator - Luis Gasca, Trumpet - Darren Salmieri, A&R Coordinator - Hadley Caliman, Tenor Saxophone - Joseph M. Palmaccio, Mastering Engineer - Jerry Rappaport, Producer - Rogers Grant, Piano - Patti Matheny, A&R Coordinator - Sonny Fortune, Alto Saxophone - Sonny Fortune, Baritone Saxophone - Ray Maldonado, Vocal - Ray Maldonado, Trumpet - Steve Berkowitz, A&R Coordinator - Victor Venegas, Bass
Originally Recorded 1968 Sony Music Entertainment
Mongo Santamaria, Congas - Mongo Santamaria, Bongos - Mongo Santamaria, Performer - David Rubinson, Producer - Howard Fritzon, Director - Lew Soloff, Trumpet - Steve Berrios, Drums - Julito Collazo, Vocal - Marty Sheller, Composer - Marty Sheller, Lyricist - Marty Sheller, Arranger - Osvaldo Martinez, Vocal - Stephan Moore, Project Coordinator - Luis Gasca, Trumpet - Darren Salmieri, A&R Coordinator - Hadley Caliman, Tenor Saxophone - Joseph M. Palmaccio, Mastering Engineer - Jerry Rappaport, Producer - Rogers Grant, Piano - Patti Matheny, A&R Coordinator - Sonny Fortune, Alto Saxophone - Sonny Fortune, Baritone Saxophone - Ray Maldonado, Vocal - Ray Maldonado, Trumpet - Steve Berkowitz, A&R Coordinator - Victor Venegas, Bass
Originally Recorded 1968 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Mongo Santamaria, Composer - Mongo Santamaria, Lyricist - Mongo Santamaria, Congas - Mongo Santamaria, Bongos - Mongo Santamaria, Performer - David Rubinson, Producer - Howard Fritzon, Director - Lew Soloff, Trumpet - Steve Berrios, Drums - Julito Collazo, Vocal - Marty Sheller, Arranger - Osvaldo Martinez, Vocal - Stephan Moore, Project Coordinator - Luis Gasca, Trumpet - Darren Salmieri, A&R Coordinator - Hadley Caliman, Tenor Saxophone - Joseph M. Palmaccio, Mastering Engineer - Jerry Rappaport, Producer - Rogers Grant, Piano - Patti Matheny, A&R Coordinator - Sonny Fortune, Alto Saxophone - Sonny Fortune, Baritone Saxophone - Ray Maldonado, Vocal - Ray Maldonado, Trumpet - Steve Berkowitz, A&R Coordinator - Victor Venegas, Bass
Originally Recorded 1968 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Album review
Santamaria recorded an entire album in March 1969 that was inspired by the Afro-Cuban religion Santeria with encouragement from producer David Rubinson. It was done, however, in an era when Santamaria was being marketed by Columbia as a jazz-pop-soul crossover artist. The label rejected the album and it was shelved until 2000, when it finally appeared as a CD. While it's a solid record, and certainly closer to Santamaria's roots than much of his Columbia work was, one would be hard-pressed to say that its failure to appear when it was first made was a tragedy. Really, it's not too much different than the less soul-pop-oriented Latin jazz Santamaria has done throughout his career. Perhaps it's at times a little looser and bolder than Santamaria was wont to be, as with Sonny Fortune's squealing alto sax lines on "Mambo Leah" or the ten-minute "Obatala," a rave-up that moves from an opening conga/bata duet through several sections into a hyper-tempo charanga. But it's not all along these lines: "Sheila" is just a mellow jazz ballad (not that there's anything wrong with that) while "Me and You Baby" and "Boogaloo Wow" are more in line with the boogaloo that was raking in the sales for Mongo and Columbia. It's nice that Mongo fans have an opportunity to hear it after the passage of 30 years, but it's difficult to say that it would have made any difference to the trajectory of his career had it appeared as Santamaria and Rubinson intended, although the success of Santana right after its cancellation might have helped draw attention to it. One of the songs, the aforementioned "Me and You Baby," did appear on the 1970 album All Strung Out; otherwise, everything else was previously unreleased. In addition, there are five bonus live tracks recorded in 1968.
© Richie Unterberger /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 14 track(s)
- Total length: 01:15:17
- Main artists: Mongo Santamaria
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Columbia - Legacy
- Genre: World
Originally Recorded 1968, 1969, Originally Released 1970, (P) 2000 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
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