Incredible work by Willie Bobo – a slamming record of hard funky instrumentals, one that sounds different than any of his other albums! The record's a killer all the way through – a mixture of Latin and deep 70s funk, one of the few perfect fusions of the styles, held up beautifully all the way through the set. We've always liked Willie a lot, but honestly, we don't know how he managed to make a record this funky – but we're also not arguing, just enjoying the grooves with tremendous delight and surprise. Great all the way through, and includes the break cuts "Do What You Want to Do", "Broasted or Fried", and "Soul Foo Young" – plus a version of "Dindi", which, for some reason, Willie seemed to record every chance he got! Other titles include "Shut Up & Pay Attention", "Come Together", and "Never You Mind". (Soul, Latin) CD

A standout classic from trumpeter Luis Gasca – and a set that may well be the artists' most complete musical vision of the 70s! The group here is larger than on previous records, and Gasca's dropped a bit of his Latin roots in exchange for a soaring, slightly spiritual sound put together by arranger Don Menza – who's really at the top of his game here! There's a perfection and poise that's almost like CTI or Kudu at their best – almost a bit above the usual Fantasy Records session like this from the 70s, too! Other players include Bobby Hutcherson on vibes, Menza and Hadley Caliman on reeds, Patrice Rushen on keyboards, and Harvey Mason on some mighty nice drums – which makes for more than a bit of funk in the mix. Titles include the sweet vibes/Rhodes number "Kathy", the stepper "Sara", and the tracks "Visions", "The Way I Feel Sometimes", "Patrice", "Collage", and "Night People". (Jazz, Latin) CD

A standout classic from trumpeter Luis Gasca – and a set that may well be the artists' most complete musical vision of the 70s! The group here is larger than on previous records, and Gasca's dropped a bit of his Latin roots in exchange for a soaring, slightly spiritual sound put together by arranger Don Menza – who's really at the top of his game here! There's a perfection and poise that's almost like CTI or Kudu at their best – almost a bit above the usual Fantasy Records session like this from the 70s, too! Other players include Bobby Hutcherson on vibes, Menza and Hadley Caliman on reeds, Patrice Rushen on keyboards, and Harvey Mason on some mighty nice drums – which makes for more than a bit of funk in the mix. Titles include the sweet vibes/Rhodes number "Kathy", the stepper "Sara", and the tracks "Visions", "The Way I Feel Sometimes", "Patrice", "Collage", and "Night People". (Jazz, Latin) LP, Vinyl record album

A masterful meeting of Eric Dolpy and The Latin Jazz Quintet – a record that shows a rare Latin side of Dolphy's talents, but one that's totally great! The core group here are the ensemble led by conga player Juan Amalbert with vibes, piano, bass, and percussion – a group who helped push the Latin jazz style of earlier 50s work into much hipper territory during the 60s – usually by adding in a reedman like Dolphy! Eric's blowing here on alto, flute, and bass clarinet – showing a great sensitivity to the core groove of the record, but also managing to cut in these edgier moments that really open things up! The mix of vibes and Dolphy alone is worth the price of admission – especially when heard in an "inside" way that's quite different than his later meeting with Bobby Hutcherson – but the overall groove really holds the record together wonderfully, and makes it appealing for fans of both Latin and modern jazz! Titles include "Mambo Ricci", "Sunday Go Meetin", "First Bass Line", "Caribe", and "Blues In 6/8". (Jazz, Latin) CD