1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: 19. Machito – Kenya (1958)


And still on the Latin/Afro-Latin train, this one is a pioneer of the “cu-bop” sound. ( a fusion of Afro-Cuban and Bebop) Its more jazzy compared to Tito Puente’s Dance Mania, with more of a big-band sound going on in the background, and the brass soloists giving more of a be-bop feel. Which, to my tastes, makes it a bit more bland, despite (or perhaps because of) a seven-person percussion section. Yes. Seven.  

Actually, this album’s placement between Puente and Miles Davis is quite timely, as it does, indeed, bridge the gap between Latin beats and Smooth jazz. Stand out track is for me probably the title one, Kenya. The rest didn’t do so much. 

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