El Pussy Cat - Mongo Santamaria

 

Ritmo Negro

El Pussy Cat

Mongo Santamaria

Produced by Robert Mersey

Cover Photo: Columbia Records Photo Studio - Henry Parker

Columbia Records CS 9098

1965

Mongo Santamaria - Leader and Bongo Drums

Marty Seller - Trumpet (courtesy of Atlantic Records)

Hubert Laws - Flute and Tenor Sax (courtesy of Atlantic Records)

Bobby Capers - Alto and Baritone Sax and Flute

Carmello Garcia - Timbales and Drums

Rodger Grant - Piano

Victor Venagas - Bass

From the back cover: The remarkable music of Mongo Santamaria is equally at home in a smart nightclub or the stage of a jazz festival, the dance floor of an intimate night spot or a huge ballroom, the airwaves of the swingingest "rock" station or the most discreet "good music" radio outlet.

What makes the music so remarkable is its character. Mongo's music has rhythm excitement. You expect it. But it also has great harmonic surprise and melodic beauty and you don't expect that, but it hits you like a ton of steaming Cuban sand.

Cuba is where Mongo was born and raised,  the Jesus Maria district of Havana, to be exact. He has the rhythms of the Island ingrained in his being. His home district is one that has held to many of the customs and ways of Africa. In fact, Mongo's grandfather came to Cuba directly from africa.

While a child in Havana, Mongo first studied violin but soon switched to more successful studies with is first love – the drum. He has played one ever since.

He has brought his brand of rhythmic excitement into the bands of Perez Prado, Tito Puente and Cal Tjader, among others, as well as to many New York nightclub shows. He has also brought it into the offerings of his own band, and this has led to a string of major appearances in clubs, festivals and at dances. – Dom Cerulli

From Billboard - February 27, 1965: Santamaria's style combines the excitement of the Afro-Cuban beat with the sophistication of jazz. There's plenty of beat, great for dancing and plenty of percussioned sound for listening. The Santamaria brand of music is rapidly becoming the rage of night clubs, dances and festivals.

El Pussy Cat

Afro Lypso

Ah Ha

Together

Ritmo Negro

La Gitana

Cucidado

Sarai

Hammer Head

Black-Eyed Peas