Palo Congo

This album congo fuck itself

3.5 - Some cool polyrhythmic, call-and-response folk songs. A nice palate cleanser from all the post-punk, British electronica and Neil Young.

Not heard this before. Because it's an older stereo recording you get things pushed real hard left and right and I don't love that on headphones. Also being older the recording is a touch on the raw side but it suits the sound I think. I'll listen again on speakers and will probably like it more that way. In a weird way this reminds me of krautrock in it's trance like repetition and jamming. I like the textured/layered rhythm and the tendency towards chanting. It actually sounds very experimental to me yet rooted in something that feels ancient and raw. The birth of the groove. Man, can you imagine seeing this being performed live in a jazz club back in the day?

Look, I'll be the first to admit that I probably just don't "get" this. But the plain fact was this was painful to listen to. It's repetitive noise. You would have to be just REALLY into conga drums to love this album. There's a 6 minute track that's NOTHING BUT CONGAS. And the next one is a 4 minute track of MOSTLY congas broken up by random yells and loud samba whistles. On the tracks where there ARE vocals, they're off-key shrieks accompanied by extraordinarily shrill "harmonies" (if you can call them that). It's. The. WORST. Hands down. Listening to this album makes me angry.

This might be one of my fav discoveries via using this generator. The Cuban rhythms on congo are very intoxicating and dancy. The chanty vocals add to a very nice atmosphere. Blue Note does not miss and this is a very very very good album.

In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, before In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida was In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. But Cuban. This album is 65 years old and sounds like it was recorded down in the barrio yesterday. While it seems out of place for a Blue Note record, latin-jazz ushered the way in for the Bossa Nova craze that would come in a short decade. This was a fun listen and I plan on buying this on vinyl to have a dance party in my living room.

Afro-cubano, muito bom, infelizmente tem poucos albuns q nao sao em ingles nessa lista...

I had to actively ignore Rudy Van Gelder's name to get on board with this one. The recording is the weakest part, at least in terms of pleasantness. There's plenty of information preserved, and the beat information in particular is of such density that I can't help but love it. I've only been affected by rhythms in this way by EDM records in the past, but this is all humans all the time. I took and left the often harsh tone elements, but there's enough variety on here to make me question the wisdom of that move.

Loved to dance through such a historical day

Man, the haters can kick rocks. This album rules and the guitar parts are amazing.

Just the right amount of bongos

after listening to this album, i was a bit surprised to find that it seems to be pretty unliked. not just here but on other websites, etc. i was a percussionist in a past life, so i am not afraid of a drum-forward and rhythm-forward album. this was pretty cool. the conga playing was top notch and the songs here were very fun. it felt like a party at times. the one gripe i think i have with this album is that there wasn't anything that really gripped me. there was a lot of cool stuff, but not really anything i think i would come back for more than this listen. still, i appreciated this album - this is the kind of stuff i love this project for!

A different spin from 1001, this gives us some Afro-Cuban jams that a very much rhythmically-focused. As the name suggests, prepare for the congas. It's a nice slice from another part of the world, though the vocals leave little to be desired. It's best to consider them as part of the rhythm, with their call-and-response style that grounds the music. Overall, it's pretty simple, so it's not much to be impressed by. Sometimes a nice little album showcasing music from outside of the usual countries is all that's needed.

I always hate rating world albums low because what the fuck do I know, I’m a white dude from the Midwest. But I just can’t vibe with this. I hate the main dudes voice. I hate how it’s just a bunch of drums. Even the album on this list about bongos had more than just bongos man. I like Afro-Cuban by Kenny Dorham. That’s my weak defense. I’m sorry y’all

This is the first time I've listened to a rumba album. I sincerely hope it was the last time I've listened to a rumba album.

holy crap, fucking amazing. super swinging' and stuff. i love the sweet syncopated rhythms, and the panning of, say, a guitar all the way to the right - which usually annoys me - is more fun than anything here.

My SIL first moved over here from Cuba in the early 2000s. If you ever want to feel like cementing yourself as the most awkward white-guy dancer in a crowd, go to a Cuban party. The guy talking at the start of the 2nd track was sick. The drumming makes me want to slap a barstool for a pub conga solo

Super fun listen wouldn’t have found this without the list.

Just finished listening to Napalm Death and now this. I can't tell the difference to be honest! Only kidding of course but this is another world to what we hear nowadays and it's hard to be objective. It's good to listen to. Reading the reviews I'm dismayed at the random low marks so I'm randomly giving this a '5'

album cover and sound are perfect poser record bar accoutrements. But do I like it? Well, yes the drums seem fun for cooking / party / typing. And the generla lack of intelligibility (to my ear) means it is great work music that wont distract. Except for the stereo seperation. and the cool sub call and response going on. and the cool mumbling and waling. hey maybe I really like this. At least a 4, so lets get binary. Either I hate it (1), am indifferent (3) or I wantot hear it again (5). Happy Easter Buona Natale, et Buena Note. damn I am starting to understand this.

Judging by the cover, 5 stars. Yep, 5 stars. Would listen again, made me feel happy. No notes.

Listening to this makes me feel exactly as I would imagine Cuba in 1957. Such a pure and wild sound experience.

I love when things like this come up that are completely unique and interesting and wash away the pain of the countless mediocre British indie bands

Authentic and pure music ! I could listen to this all day long !

Exactly why I love music.

This is a great album - not the best of it's genre, but still very good. In fact, if this had been better recorded it would have easily got 5 stars. Having said that, the fact that it is still highly enjoyable to listen to now is testament to the original recording using the limited technology available in the 1950s. Anyone who isn't moved by the rhythms on this album needs to check themselves.

I felt like I was being raised in the air like Simba when I heard this album.

I didn’t love everything, and the vocals were especially rough at points, but some of the rhythms spoke to me on what I can only describe as a primal level. 7/10

I've never fully dived into latin jazz, probably as some of the famous albums I've checked out have been a bit clean/safe/chilled sounding. This one is WILD. Lots of hypnotic drumming and chanting. Very strong roots in African traditional folk musics, with the jazz and latin sounds making this a fusion feast. Would like more in this vein please. 4*

Really feeling this album. I like how you can hear all the distinct parts so clearly. The percussion feels like it's right there. Loved the guitar on "Rhapsodia Del Maravilloso."

Was fully in the groove with the final three tracks. Bonus points for the relentless bass that drowned out the jerk blasting music next to me on the train.

Loved it

Pure raw and amazing rumba sound. Relevant and good after all these years. Can't imagine listening to this when it came out. Must hve been mindblowing

Awesome!

Interesting percussion.

I saved 3 songs. You can really hear the African influence

Phenomenal. Afro Latin blueprint

Great cultural showcase of the heights of Congo music

More of this please, low 5.

This is a fun listen

Amazing listen - great quality performance and solid recording. The skills of the musicians are well showcased.

It's not my favorite music, but I guess the list was missing something on this really Latin/Caribbean style, so I'll pay respect to its inclusion on the list.

yes

Everything about this is wonderful.

kevyttä täydellisyyttä kongon pojilta

i loved it

So so different. Excellent rhythms. I don't even know how I can classify this album.

Finally, some good fucking music

Loved this. Can't go wrong with Blue Note really. Wouldn't have given it a listen without this app.

Yes yes yes! Already love the first song. Love having a chance to hear the whole album. Truly, this is exactly what I was hoping to find on this list. Everything about this is perfect.

I haven't heard this in forever! 5 stars for the beat, random shouts and animal sounds and 5 stars for the synchronicity: I just listened to a podcast about Rafael Hernandez this morning.

I love cuban music so much

Congo’s are now a vibe

RIGHT up my alley! Afro Caribbean music is the best.

Like I was at a warm street party into the late hours of the night, just beautiful.

Years ago I tried to work my way through the 1001 albums. I didn't get far, but this was my one mind blowing discovery. Bloody love it. It's so fun and funky and summery.

This was a surprise! I really like the rhythm of hat record and the raw energy

Pretty easy to get 5 stars out of me, Spanish lyrics and Latin riddimmmms. Love it. Favourite song was the first track El Cumbanchero

Love how loose this feels

very beautiful

Loved the heavy reliance on percussion. The songs were driving and worth listening to.

Enjoyed it, although it didn’t blow my mind or anything

Aí sim, baita sonzao

É um ótimo álbum para se sentir animado e contagiado numa noite de sexta-feira! AMEI!

This is so good to listen to while working, hypnotic and energetic, a+ flow

Loved it. Very energetic

this was so different than any other music I ever listen to and I loved it!

Great great great! Music that makes you swing your hips and move your feet! Probably a good thing no one else was around when I listened... injuries may have occurred...

Achei um disco muito interessante e fiquei curioso para conhecer mais coisa do tipo. Acho que esse tipo de som vai ter uma influência no jazz afro-cubano e latino de forma geral, inclusive sendo muito curioso ver os paralelos entre as musicas de tambor no Brasil e outras partes das Américas, fruto da influência cultural dos povos de África que foram escravizados e trazidos para cá.

Not my taste in Music, but a lot of pleasant songs

I love good rumba, samba, mambo. I've heard very little that wasn't enjoyable.

Exactly the sort of joyous music I wanted to find from doing this 1001 albums thing. Lovely vibes.

The bongos got a bit repetitious but the singing and all was very lively and fun.

Great album for summer. I can see how this could have influenced other artists (thinking Vampire Weekend). Strong opening and closing songs.

Nice, easy listening, but could also make you want to dance. I enjoyed the tracks that mostly had drumming sounds and felt trance-like. Overall very good

Energetic!

Imagine how wild this must have been in 1957. It's too repetitive for an entire album, but I'm glad I heard it. Records like this make this challenge fun. Favorite song: Rhapsodia del Maravilloso

I was getting down, wish I understood more of the lyrics though.

This is a hard one to judge as I'm completely disconnected from any cultural influence and don't speak Spanish. I liked the energy, the drums, and there were some cool guitar parts but it ran a little long

I really enjoyed this album listen! This album was all vibes and filled with passion which made it a joy to listen to. I would definitely give this a listen again and recommend it to others!

Loved this album such fun with intoxicating beats

More of stuff like this.

Some unnecessary hate for this one, not everything needs the Buena Vista Social Club tourist friendly sheen.

I grew up listening to this type of music, so I don't hate it like others do. I appreciate that it was something different this time.

Classy

Great rhythms and I mostly liked the chanting.

No clue what they were saying, but loved the energy of it

Hell yeah, Brazil. The drums never stop and the guitar was catchy. I do not speak Portuguese, of course, so I don't know what the songs are about but they could be the saddest in the world and I would not know any better. These songs would not sound as good without the woman singing. Together it sounds like the whole neighborhood is out. I thought this was best during the call and response, such as Billumba-Palo Congo. I have no idea what that man was saying, but I was responding along with the chorus. I don't know how long I could have been satisfied and not tire of it, but this kind of music is enchanting. I cannot listen and not bounce to it and smile.

Very fun, very enjoyable

Luis ‘Sabu’ Martinez was a regular on the New York Jazz scene in the 50s, playing conga with greats like Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. For his debut album as band leader on Blue Note he focused on music from his Cuban/Spanish heritage with a mix of rumba rhythms and traditional son styles. As might be expected drums are foremost on this album, with complex, hypnotic poly rhythms and some harsh percussion that sounds like someone banging a tin can, interspersed with yelps and some unusual call and response bits. Also making an appearance is the distinctive tres guitar of Arsenio Rodriguez. Fabulous, life affirming music to brighten your day.

Enjoyed

allez allez

A welcome change to the boring new wave/post punk/indie stuff that people take way too seriously. If you don’t like it maybe your bones are just not blessed enough to appreciate anything beyond a straight 4/4 rock then.

Cool funky sound. This is why I got into the project in the first place. I never would have listened to this, and I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Really interesting. Love some Cuban and this feels influential, seminal. Amazing for 1957. Energy, colour, contrast. Fun. Wonderful musicianship. Playful. 4.2

A fun listen. The call and response vocals bring to mind so many other genres, and much of the songs are head-bobbing if not outright danceable. Maybe between a 3 & 4 - some tracks are a bit repetitively drum heavy ... but still miles better than a Rush drum fill so rounding up to a 4. Favorites: Choferito-Plena, Tribilin Cantore, El Cumbanchero.

Great african sounds

this was fire on the low. I love a good shouting song w some beats underneath

Hand drum bonanza Feels both ancient and modern And insists you dance

An interesting album, I liked El Cumbanchero, Rhapsodia Del Maravilloso and Tribilin Cantore.