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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Just the right amount of bongos

Loved to dance through such a historical day

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.

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

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.

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'

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

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.

Sometimes you get the Incredible Bongo Band and sometimes you get the Not So Incredible Conga Band.

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.

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

Exactly why I love music.

I loved this. A real treat and a palette cleanser on the list. Excellent Xmas errands music - will 100 percent revisit!

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."

I'm glad I heard this but I don't know if I'd listen again. It does go hard, I'll give it that

IT'S SABU! SABU! An album to appreciate, rather than enjoy. Fantastic polyrhythms and guitar work but not enough variation to feel like it's really going anywhere.

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.

The homicidal, suicidal, genocidal… oh wait, not that Sabu? This was pretty cool, some amazing polyrhythms going on, but it certainly did get a bit repetitive after a while

I try to be as open minded as possible with the albums we get to listen to but this just sounds like me practising on my congas while some random bloke shouts bollocks at me! Not impressed.

10/10 fricken amazing!

A gate way into sound, into that Cuban rumba for the soul.

5 seconds in, 5 stars, GIMMIE MORE!

That good rhythm had me grooving. Stuff this old still gets passed around for good reason.

Really enjoyed this album

sevojno gif

The rhythm simply got me

Made My day

This is fantastic. The drums, the chants. Can't understand a single word but put the album on repeat. Got flashbacks to old Tarzan TV series soundtrack, and did my daily steps dancing to the beats. Listened before? N Saved to library? Y Favorite track(s): Asabache, Simba, Rhapsodia Del Maravilloso ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: Loved it!

such a fun album, especially the songs further in. listened to it while admiring the fall foliage from the water

magnificent tunes drummy go 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HA! Super diggin this. Crazy to think what Puerto Rico was like in 57. Lovin the congos and his black voice. They speak so unique. Fuckin love this vibe! 5 stars.

Loved it

Fantastic, loved this so much

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...

Nice beat and rhythms on this album. I did not understand any of it though.

I don’t have enough bongos in my day to day life so thank you

¡Un discazo! ¡Y del '57! Sabú, un boricua de la temprana diáspora, al quién yo desconocía, crea una rumba junto a su combo que pudiese retumbar un callejón festivo al sol de hoy. Es un sonido que no me hace pensar en ningún momento a la grabación de estudio, es algo que se encuentra en la calle tropical con percusionistas en euforia. Y aquí está, tal como debe sonar, disponible para reescuchar de modo digital. No me imagino salivarme para escuchar el lado A y culminar con Asabache, que joya. Esa me recordó a El Nicoya de Santana, pero realmente tiene texturas más profundas, un sabor más auténtico. 4.1/5

I can't really say anything negative aside from the fact that I'm not a huge fan. Some parts actually go on my nerves. Some are pretty good. Overall well done, but not for me. 4/5

Wonderfully traditional afro cuban album. Very raw and unmixed I like it alot. But not as much as Stan Getz and Buena Vista.

Holy shit bro ulted on the second song That's crazy

My first listen of this was super early in the morning… sometimes I wake up and “pre-listen” to the day’s album while I snooze. Incredible move! I haven’t had a hallucinatory experience like that since college, and this time I was completely sober! I understand all the critiques about the repetition here, there is a great deal of drum jamming here that not everyone will appreciate (if that’s you, skip “Asabache”). I’ll admit I got frustrated during “Simba” because it has a certain “guy makes bird noises with road construction in the background” quality to it that I couldn’t connect with for 6 minutes. Aside from those two notable outliers, this album is very proto-Buena Vista Social Club and I'm glad to have found it. I also appreciate that we're holding strong on the original 1957 Blue Note recording of this and there aren't a bunch of remastered versions out there. I'll add this to my ever-growing fantasy vinyl collection.

*Afro jazz album with lots of focus on drumming

Some really good tracks, and a few that just go on a bit, overall enjoyed it.

first listen good stuff

This one's pretty fun, although it's really all-in on the drums. There should be more call-and-response songs these days. Favorite track: either "El Cumbanchero" or "Billumba-Palo Congo"

Came for the congos, stayed for the guitars 4/5

Lets make a recipe Polyrhythm courtesy of the percussion Ocasional call and response vocals Sprinkled guitars at times The panning of the stereo brings down a bit, but it was something that was natural at the time 4/5