JUKEBOX MAMBO - RUMBA & AFRO-LATIN ACCENTED RHYTHM & BLUES 1949 - 1960 (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

An amazing document of a short-lived, but really incredible genre – the 50s mix of R&B and Latin-inspired rhythms – particularly the heavy piano of a mambo-styled groove! The sound seems an unlikely mix, but it's one that you've no doubt heard on a few famous Atlantic Records singles from the time – taken up here by a host of much more obscure artists, who really know how to make the rhythms leap along with the grooves!

The approach has definite echoes of New Orleans R&B, particularly in its use of the piano in heavy comping lines – but there's also a much wider sound going on too, especially in the way the percussion often drives the tunes in really unusual ways.

The album's overflowing with amazing tracks – and titles include "Salty Dog" by Marvin Phillips, "Big Joe Mambo" by Fay Simmons, "Mambo Mexicana" by Gerald Wilson, "Snake Charmer" by Mad Man Jones, "Boppin With The Mambo" by The Sultans, "Honeydripper Mambo" by Alfredito, "A Dream" by Billy Red Love, "Pu Chun Ga" by Elene Madera, "Cozy & Bossa" by Cozy Cole, "Shrinking Up Fast" by Camille Howard, "Take A Chance On Me" by Annisteen Allen, "Eee Ooo Voodoo" by Red Callender, and "Down To The Bottom" by Larry Dale. AMAZING PACKAGE – One of the coolest sets we've ever seen – put together with six 10" LPs, in a folder that looks and feels like a vintage 78rpm package – complete with a booklet on the music – and also 4 tracks not on the other versious! ~ Dusty Groove