Personnel:
Peruchín, René Hernández, Chico O'Farrill, Obdulio Morales (arr, dir), Alejandro 'El Negro' Vivar, Leonardo Timor, Alfredo 'Chocolate' Armenteros, Domingo Corbacho (tp), Antonio Linares, Generoso Tojo Jiménez (tb), Santiago Peñalver, Amado Valdés, 'Eddy' Escrich, Rafael 'El Cabito' Quesada (as), Osvaldo Peñalver (fl), Emilio Peñalver, Pedro Chao (ts), Osvaldo Urrutia 'Mosquitín' (bs), 'Felo' Hernández (b), Guillermo Barreto (d), Marcelino Valdés, Giraldo Rodríguez, Oscar Valdés (perc), 'Justico' Antobal (maracas), Raúl Azpiazu, Gina Martín, Roberto Cordero (vcl)
Reference: BMCD 898
Bar code: 8427328008983
· Collector's Edition
· Issued in Digifile
· 4 Original LPs on 2 CD
· Original Cover Art and New Liner Notes
· Hi Fi / Stereo Recordings
· Newly Remastered in 24-Bit
Eusebio Santiago Azpiazu (1981-1966)—brother of famed bandleader Don Azpiazu— adopted the name Mario Antobal when he became his brother’s manager and producer. When his brother stopped playing, Mario decided to start a dance band of his own called Antobal’s Cubans, which became highly successful during the Great Depression (1932-1937). Together with his wife the celebrated songwriter Marion Sunshine, he dedicated the next few years to build his musical publishing house, and in 1959 he continued his work as a producer. He launched a series of orchestral albums aimed at the US market and featuring the best musicians in Cuba. It was an All-Star band under the direction of Obdulio Morales, the world-renowned composer, who also contributed as one of Antobal’s arrangers along with Chico O’Farrill, Peruchín, Gilberto Valdés, and René Hernández, the best in the field. There were no better soloists in the island, and they handled their excellent arrangements in an exciting fashion. These four albums “Ay Caramba!”, “Agua! Agua!”, “Día de Reyes” and “Mango Mangué,” bring us the best of the dance rhythms of Havana with the big band sound of Antobal’s Cuban All-Stars!
"You could make a credible argument that Latin Music from Cuba and Brazil essentially saved jazz in the 50s and 60s from becoming a sterile collection of musical naval gazing by injecting a new and fresh sense of pulsations and rhythms. This release from Blue Moon Records is a must-have to your collection of albums saved for Cruise Night.
Eusebio Santiag Azpiazu (1891-1966), better known as Maro Antobal teamed with his brother and bandleader Don Azpiazu to put together a sizzling big band in his home town of Havana, Cuba. This two disc set is a torrid affair of “Antobal’s Cuban All Stars” under the direction of Obdulio Morales, featuring arrangements by the likes of Chico O’Farrill,” Gilberto Valdes and Rene Hernandez. The sessions from 1958-60 in smoky Havana are scorching hot, with relentless grooves on “Mmbo En Fa,” “Mambo Tripical” and sizzling percussion during “Los Timbales.” Passionate vocals by Raul Azpiazu (“Dame El Bururu”), Gina Martin (“Tambores Africanos”) and Roberto Cordero (“Gue-Le-Le” & Batamu”) create a sweaty and smoky atmosphere that is palpable, while the extroverted horns blister during the relentless “Tumbao Cubano” and “Cuban Blues.” This set has more of a wallop than Café Bustelo and smokes better than a Montecristo!"
George W. Harris (July 22, 2019)
http://www.jazzweekly.com
