Mongo Santamaria - Skin on Skin: The Mongo Santamaria Anthology 1958-1995

It's not just that this Latin jazz pioneer makes his tumbadoro (conga drum) sing--it's the depth and breadth of his music that most impresses. After serving apprenticeships with mambo kings Perez Prado and Tito Puente and Latin jazz bandleader Cal Tjader, Mongo went solo in 1951. "Afro Blue," his first significant composition, was covered by John Coltrane. He made a Top 40 hit out of Herbie Hancock's "Watermelon Man" and was at the forefront of the Latin boogaloo craze with his cover of James Brown's "Cold Sweat." Yet the bulk of his work remains anchored in his native Cuban folk forms. His bands have always included a fertile, bluesy blend of salseros and jazz players. Though licensing hassles prevented the inclusion of any of his work from 1972 to 1987, his most important sides are here. --John Morthland Amazon.com

The Mongo Santamaria Anthology

One of the best, CD's from the Master Cuban conga drummer Mongo Santamaria. This is a great collection of all his hits during his lifetime, a must for every conga player. Here you will hear him play his famous conga solos, and the Afro-Cuban Jazz songs, that made him a unique conga player of all times! However, check all of his CD's, you will find other songs (not included here) that you will enjoy. Frankly speaking all his recordings are good! I know because while on duty tour in Europe, Mongo Santamaria's music is very famous, I have come across some recordings that are not available in the U.S. I have started collecting all his recordings that are available in the market. He is my favorite conga player. Unfortunately Ramon (Mongo) Santamaria departed on 2003 at Baptist Hospital in Miami. But his music and style will live forever. If you like his music check out Museo del disco in Miami. They have all of his recordings and other Cuban conga players contemporaries, such as Armando Peraza, Francisco Aquabella, Candido Camero, Carlos (Patato) Valdez, Chano Pozo, Tata Guines, Los Papines, Los Munequitos de Matanzas, Justi Barreto, Alberto Zayaz, Virgilio Marti, Pedro (Pello El Afrokan) Izquierdo and Lazaro (Manteca) Pla. I have met some of these guys at one time or another and they are the best on the market regarding Conga playing, believe it or not! April 12, 2006

Great recordings

This anthology is awesome. Afro Blue, Cinderella,Black Stockins, all are great but the one that drives me crazy is Mayeya with the incredible Charlie Palmieri doing his magic. Great, great material from the master Mongo Santamaria. January 19, 2006

The best of mongo.

We can talk about latin jazz, or afro cuban music, percussion, or just latin music, and in the conversation, we have to mention Mongo Santamaría.
This is one of the finest musicians of latin jazz. his influence is everywere. This cd is a compilation of all the stages in his career. You have to have it. There's nothing more to say. October 24, 2003

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