Reviews (page 2 of 7)
I feel like this is quite context dependent. I can imagine enjoying this live, on a hot humid night, in a outside bar under corrugated iron roof, dancing around plastic chairs and drinking cheap rum. As it is, I quite enjoyed listening out of interest but can't ever imagine myself listening to the album again. I think it deserves more than 1 star on the basis of artistic merit and being an interesting historical recording of folk culture. Personally, not my thing though.
I really tried to go at this with an open mind, but I just don't like this. The congas get old quite fast. The call-and-response thing is cool for about a minute, but then it drags and drags and drags. I like some of the guitar work, I guess. This is not an indictment of rumba. This is just definitively not for me. Fav track: El Cumbanchero
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.
No private session used for this one, though a little trepidatious about based on the title and cover. I started playing it as the first album of the day, the franticness hit me early and I quickly realized needed to wait until after the second cup of coffee. Drums, yelling in a foreign language, whistles and single notes on a guitar. This album would be great for dancing naked around a pubic hair singeing bon fire in the Spanish speaking parts of Latin America, beyond that, not much else.
The best I can say is two songs don't suck.
Den här skivan sammanföll med födseln av min son, och får därför automatiskt en 5a! När jag sen lyssnade igenom den en gång på BB landade jag i det verkliga betyget svag 3a. En skiva man gärna vill gilla mer men ledsnar på väldigt fort.
This is so sick.
Это без шуток ОДИН ИЗ ЛУЧШИХ АЛЬБОМОВ во всем этом списке. А все почему? Никто не чувствует РИТМ так как эти ребята. Это просто невероятно. Такие сложные рисунки, при этом простые и понятные аранжировки. Гениальная вещь, сыгранная крайне ненапряжно и даже незамысловато, а как будто на лету. И тут даже не мешает, а, наоборот, помогает то, что стерео здесь классическое винтажное с хардпаном барабанов в левое ухо. Это невероятная атмосфера солнца, лета и танцев. Это сокрытый бриллиант.
Album #112, Palo Congo by Sabu Martinez ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I’ve been pretty harsh on Latin and South American music so far on this list. I feel like I’ve had a lot of it already. I listened to Siembra, which people call the greatest salsa album ever made, and it did absolutely nothing for me. I gave it two stars. That whole style just doesn’t really connect with me. Now obviously Latin and South American music are enormous umbrellas, and it would be ignorant to assume I’d dislike all of it. Turns out, whatever Cuban rumba is, it’s fucking awesome. This 1957 album is primal. It’s incessant. It’s rhythm on top of rhythm on top of rhythm. The vocals are frenzied, the percussion is completely relentless, and when the electric guitar comes in, it’s so syncopated that it almost sounds like a mistake. The songs are long and they really dig their hooks in. I’m an absolute sucker for any kind of music where the drums are the main instrument, and that’s this album in a nutshell. The percussion completely dominates the mix. Behind it you’ve got these wailing, chaotic chants and vocals that just make the whole thing sound wild and ritualistic despite also being incredibly minimal. I don’t really have much of a point of reference for this music outside of Fela Kuti, because this definitely feels deeply rooted in African rhythms, which I love. Other than that, my only comparisons are the other Latin albums I’ve heard from this list, stuff like Buena Vista Social Club or Jorge Ben. This absolutely blows those records out of the water for me personally. I rolled my eyes when this came up in the generator this morning. They rolled right back around into a five star review.
Spectacular rhythms, great arrangements. If it were recorded today, it would still be a tour de force
What a banger of a conga album. The 1 star ratings are wild, and somehow not surprising considering who 90% of the albums on this list cater to.
This is SICK! Whoever says it's a hard listen is trying to listen too hard, just relax and be with it.
🤩
Very nice. Congos and bongos for days. Heavy percussion has been doing it for me lately and it's the standout part of this album for me. Really enjoyed the music and the vibes. This album furthers my belief that this list needs more world music.
Bei dem Album kommt es definitiv auf das Setting an. Wenn ich es mir mit Freunden in einer Kneipe anhören würde wäre es seltsam. Aber draußen beim laufen in der Sonne war es genial. Gibt genau den richtigen Takt vor.
Full body high putting this on at night around the house
High quality latin jazz/mambo
Loved hearing something other than britpop or 60's hippie rock. Reminded me of being in Miami. I listened to this on the way to work, and I was afraid that they were going to summon an ancient African god into the back seat of my car. Still an awesome experience, glad it's on the list. My Rating: 5/5
The rhythms are insane.
Afrobeat starts here!
i love drums, i love sinking into and luxuriating in a rhythm, worth the price of admission just for Asabache and Rhapsodia Del Maravilloso. time to start my fifth listen
There's no reason as to why, but I thoroughly enjoyed this.
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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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.
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...
yeah this was kind of mesmerising.
A common Latin street soundtrack. You can just picture people dancing in the streets, children running about, and Sabu bring music to your ears.
Jamais écouté avant. Une vraie très bonne surprise, qui plus est dans un genre que je découvre totalement, et ça fait sincèrement plaisir. Une énergie formidable, à base de polyrythmies entrelacées, métissées d'Amérique latine et d'Afrique, et d'iimpressionnantes improvisations à la guitare cubaine. Même l'enregistrement un peu crado (on est en 1957, après tout...) joue en la faveur de la musique, soulignant le son des percussions et ajoutant un grain désuet aux voix des chanteurs et chanteuses. Même les morceaux 100 % rythmiques, forcément un peu répétitifs, m'ont fait secouer la tête... Aucune idée de l'importance de cet album dans son genre, mais cette première approche m'a donné envie d'aller creuser. Top : Choferito-Plena Flop : Simba
You know what? This works for me. I like the call and response style and congos are fun.
Love this. Clearly an ancestor of Buena Vista Social Club and Afro Cuban All Stars.
Put this on, cook up some fajitas and then somehow don't shake your hips while your tossing some chicken around in a pan with various spices, challenge level 4/5.
Quite good if you are into this kind of music. I give it 4.
Very fine
Any sort of Cuban rhythm or jazz is for me, I'll listen to it any day
Almost 70 years old, yet it feels utterly timeless.
i'm groovin!
Tres cool j'adore le vintage
Very solid album, super funky and very percussive. I this didn't blow me away, but it was still a very good album. Mid 4.
Lots of bongos, banging and screaming but still better than the 300+ alt-rock albums I've been listening to!
Fun sounds
I had no idea what this was, but when I saw the cover my first thought was “buckle up, this will be an interesting ride”. And I was right. This was good. A nice break from UK-centric rock and electronic.
Real fun and full of little twists I didn’t see coming. Will have to check out more.
Ooooo, yeah. This was pretty, pretty good.
Perfect for the sunshine
Not sure how much I'd revisit it but I had a great time while it was on
What a wild listen! Sometimes strange and mysterious sounding, other times nice and pleasant. Lots of great guitar playing here on top of solid congas and percussion as well as on top of a steady but tricky off-beat string bass. The interspersed vocals and harmonies are great coming in here and there. This was a nice surprise of a listen and just shows how much great music is out there from other countries and from so many years ago!
I liked this. The Cuban rhythms were pretty catchy. The catch was not much really hooked me in. It was nice background music while I cooked dinner
Immediately transported to a caribbean beach. There's heavy cigar smoke in the air, cold rum in my hand, and these dudes playing nearby. Not right in front of you, maybe behind you? The mix is a little off, but you can still enjoy it just fine.
Wasn't familiar with this album or artist. Amazing that Blue Note had this in their early ranks. Some conga solo songs, some other classic cuban rumba. Sabú's leadership shines on all the album, never a dull moment even though most of the run time is conga driven. The sessions sound like the players were having a lot of fun recording it.
Not sure this will make the regular rotation, but very cool album nonetheless. Production was stellar!
Очень необычно, но так драйвово
Prettyngood
unreal. If it wasn't for the poor recording quality this would be generational. I'll look out for it on Vinyl
what the hell this is so fun
My feelings vacillated throughout this, at times I thought it was a brilliant combination of world musics with an almost punk edge to it. Other times I got a little bored by it. But when I allowed myself to just give in to the experience, I found it pretty mystical and unlike anything else I've heard. So I'm going with a four.
More of this please! This is what I signed up for: world music with power and grit, something I never would’ve discovered without this. Gimme more
++: El cumbanchero, Choferito-Plena, Simba, Rhapsodia del Maravilloso, Tribilín cantore +: Billumba-Palo Congo, Asabache, Aggo Elegua 7,9/10
Sometimes you want to laiten to incredibly complex and intricate songs that sonically create a whole universe within the world of the album. Sometimes you want to listen to people playing bongo drums and yelling in Spanish. While Palo Congo isn't an album I would laiten to all the time, it was a very fun and relaxing album that would be perfect for certain nights. Highlights include El Cumbanchero and Rhapsodia del Maravilloso.
This is great. Love a wee Cuban influence with those African rhythms. It’s joyful and makes me want to get up and join in with the celebration. Would be amazing live
That Cuban beat really just gets your spirits up, y'know? 4.5 bumped down to 4.
Surprised to see all the low ratings for this. It's a pretty fun record. Asabache probably drags on a bit, but the playing is consistently top notch, and while I've got no idea what they're singing it works
I love these albums that came out in the 50s when the western world seemed to be exploring what the rest of the world had to offer. This album makes we want to throw a luau and blast Sabu's drum beats while everyone mingles and sips mai tais. The energy and the passion!
This is wild, I like it
No in depth review today. Another 4/5-GEMV (9.02.2026)
Full of energy!
Not knowing much about this album I listened to it on Apple Music and first impression from a piece that is over 60 years old is the quality of the recording is very good and the group itself is great.
CONGAS?? HELL YEA. BANANA BREAD AT WORK?? HELL. YEAH. Such a fun listen. Reading through other comments It was funny about how divisive this album is. Maybe it's because I took percussion in high school. But man, those rhythms fucked me up in the best way possible. I would give it a 5/5. but I'm saving that for really special albums.
Quite good. Like that Cuban/Island sound.
Sweet sweet music.
Fun record, don't get why so much hate.
Funky groovy stuff. I liked it.
I don't speak the language, but damn the rhythm is universal. Them hands tho
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.
First for me, great congo
Holy shit bro ulted on the second song That's crazy
*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"
I vibe with this different stuff. I don’t like the term “world” music, but alas I do find myself more likely to like the non-US/UK/Western albums
Came for the congos, stayed for the guitars 4/5
Love when we get a bit more zoomed out on the world of music on this list. This was a very energizing listen
Cool album with some bangin' songs. Old school percussion, not much else to say. Will be coming back.
good, not my thing
ThIs is the kind of weird little hidden gem that really makes me love this project. If the album had a smidge more variety I may have rated it even higher.
Borders of relentless at times, but it certainty got me bobbing up and down like bird of paradise trying to get laid
Super fun Cuban rumba with congas
This album is pretty good, I've enjoyed it so much. It's not much interesting sometimes, to be honest, but it's a nice listening. And some instrumental parts are fantastic.
Favorite Track: "Asabache" This album surprised the hell out of me with how much I enjoyed it. I personally greatly dislike most Tejano music, so the Spanish title made me trepidatious, but this was different in a really good way. From the call-and-response songs of "Billumba-Palo Congo" and "Aggo Elegua" to the random shout/animal noises of "Simba" that made me laugh out loud, all cemented together with the glorious drumming of the titular conguero. The language barrier only really enhanced my enjoyment of the fast congas. I was enraptured by "Asabache" for the entirety of the track, disappointed to move on to the next song. My two biggest complaints are the weak ending track and (what I imagine to be a function of the album's age) the lack of balancing for headphones. The drums were almost exclusively in my left ear, while the strings were in my right. May be best enjoyed with mono sound.
This comes from and gets into the blood.
Immaculate vibes throughout. I may not know what they were singing, but the feeling came through crystal clear
I wasn’t sure, but I got into this after the first song. I can’t see myself really listening to an album of this again, but I would be down to be in a jazz bar somewhere in Florida to experience this music live.
This is so far beyond my usual sphere of listening, but goddamn if it isn't amazing. The complex rhythms and effusive joy are infectious.
A pretty awesome record full of Latin percussion. I’ve never heard of it before and thanks to the generator for showing it to me!
Personal enjoyment: 4/5 Relevance to this list: 4/5
I'm not a dancer, and this made me want to dance.
a little rough around the edges but still banger
really enjoyed
sehr kuul! si mached mega musig. allerdings wirds biz astrengend zum lose mit de zit.. wür mi wunder ne wies live wär es konzert vo ihne zlose:)
Consistently dig the Afro-Cuban stuff. The drums and vibe on this basically hit in every song. Rhapsodia probably my favorite but liked all eight to varying degrees
I really enjoyed this album. I really don’t think I like jazz until I hear Latin jazz that I realize I really don’t like saxophone and really like Latin jazz.
conga
Loved this - drums so groovy and guitars welcome whenever they arrive.
🕺💃🏿🕺🕺👯♀️👯♂️🕺🏽💃🏽 (twas a good time)
I liked it. Fun conga album with laid-back latin sound.
Maravilloso
Весь час я не могла зрозуміти якою мовою був альблом італійською чи може румунською? Виявилось іспанською) жанр кубинської румби або ж латино-амереканського джазу. Найбільше мені сподобалась інструментальна частина, мені подобаються ритми ручного барабану і інших "пляжних" інструментів, але мовна частина яка доповнювала не була мені так сильно до душі, відчутнно, що альбом було записано до 2000-них, не було звичної мені феєричності і драми вокалу. Вокал не був поганий, але я до такого не звикла
I loved the energy and musicianship. I recently saw Buena Vista Social Club on broadway and loved it. I haven’t been exposed to enough Cuban music otherwise, so I’m glad this made the list.
Afro-Cuban percussion vibes, very energetic, I dug it
Good jazz sound. Some of the songs can be a little repetitive, but this was a good listen
Enjoyed this, as not something I would have put on (or known about) without this list. Very atmospheric, and an amazing sound, considering its vintage. A real diamond in what has been a lot of rough of late.
This album was soulful and gave me the feeling as though I were experiencing a Cuban street festival or general street musicians. I enjoyed this fusion of Latin music.
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.
Liked this ALOT more than anticipated. Really nice syncopated percussion throughout. Could have used a horn section in spots.
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
This got me up and dancing!
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
Very fun, very enjoyable
This is a pleasant change from most of this list. Not my favourite (sub)genre -- I like jazz, much less latino rhythms -- but still enjoyable, in particular thanks to a very solid rhythm section. The call & response bits are nice, the overall is pretty refreshing despite its age.
Enjoyed
allez allez
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
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.
I almost started dancing 4/5
"Palo Congo" is the debut album by American congeuro (conga player) of Puerto Rican descent Louis "Sabu" Martinez. The Wiki-listed genre is Cuban rumba. Besides Sabu who plays the congas, bongos and vocals, bandmembers included Arseno Rodriguez (congas, tres, guitar, vocals), Raul "Ceasar" Travieso (congas, vocals), Israel Moisés Quique Travieso (congas), Ray "Mosquito" Romero (congas), Evaristo Baró (bass) and vocalists Willie Capó and Sarah Baró. "El cumbnchero" starts outs with a tres guitar. The vocals come in with very quick percussions. Male and female vocals join. This song features the guitar. "Absabache" is essentially a conga and bongos jam from start to finish. The closing song "Tribilin cantore" is very much a tropical jam. Congas and a female vocalist. I have to admit I was very bust today and didn't get to dig as much as usual, but this music was very enjoyable to listen to as I worked. Percussion and rhythm heavy. The music is mostly instrumental. Exquisite guitar and tres playing. A fun and joyous album that should bring a smile to everyone.
Primal. In a sexy Latino way.
Not into Latin/Rumba music? Don’t know what it is? One listen to this and you will be hooked. Intoxicatingly energetic. Just be sure to put on your dance shoes before you listen.
Lots of fun.
Different and trying to put it in context for the time. Would go back and revisit as I enjoy this style.
Fun and funky! Wasn’t a huge fan of the tracks with a lot of yelling but otherwise, I enjoyed this. I LOVE upbeat Latin music, and that’s something I didn’t know before starting this challenge.
¡que rápido!
This album sounds like the soundtrack to a wild party! At times the Cuban sound seems to move into a rather African call and response feel. To me, however, the album seems a bit same-y, so while I reckon it's great party music, it's not something I'd add to my collection.
This was fun, quick, easy, loved it. It’s a nice little record to put on when you’re getting some things done around the house. I can only hope that it’s even better if you can understand what they’re saying. Not sure how original it is, but I’ll say it’s unique. Stands out and I enjoy it. 4/5
Pretty good. Not a genre I'm familiar with or drawn to, but it's hard to go wrong with percussion forward music in my ears.
Loved it !
Gek album weer, zitten in een bijzondere hoek! Dit is waarschijnlijk toegevoegd omdat er nou eenmaal meer muziek is gemaakt dan alleen Britpop. Prettige afwisseling en ik kan altijd wel genieten van de muziek op dit album, maar de recording is helaas vrij matig en er zijn wat nummers die gewoon niet goed lopen. Als het wel goed loopt dan swingt het ook meteen lekker en vibe ik dit album heel goed! Nummers zoals een Simba trek ik gewoon niet zo goed, het is een soort jazzy nummer met hier en daar een soort oerkreet. Andere nummers hebben meer de Call and Response die bekend is van deze stijl muziek. Ik snap dat dit een cultuur ding is en probeer ze hier niet op af te rekenen en ben oprecht blij dat de nummers die wel bevallen ook echt leuk zijn. Daarnaast; GOD wat ben ik blij dat dit geen rock/Britpop/Neil Young album is, krijgen ze bij dezen een sterretje van me erbij. FAVO: El Cumbanchero, Choferito-Plena, Rhapsodia Del Maravilloso, Aggo Ellegua
Look, I can recognise it is good music. It’s not for me. But it’s good.
Never would have listened to this without the generator so for that I'm grateful. It's a weird album. Felt like I was sitting around a campfire during a ritual in some indigenous tribe.
very african. I've heard this before I think. It's intense and high energy. 4 maybe?
Good, I'd pick this up if I saw it.
Congo bongo songos.
cry harder, guitarwank enthusiasts
With some polish that could have been really nice. Obviously talented, let down by the recording.
Afro-cuban jazz hey? Cool, I'm not sure I've heard anything like it. Lots of variety and focus on trumpets and hand drums. Some songs were very light on ideas and quite repetitive, others were upbeat and almost raucous. Cool to be exposed to something I wouldn't have been, otherwise!
I enjoyed this. Definitely a change of pace from British post punk and 70s glam.
Smoooth.
Rhythm and grooves just pouring out of this album. I feel like I’m there in the room, and the energy is high!
You can recognize a Blue Note album cover from a mile away, and it's always a good sign when the album pops up and you know it's a Blue Note. Unfamiliar with Sabu, and this is more jazz adjacent as an excellent Cuban Rumba record. Really enjoyable weekend morning listen with my morning coffee.
This had me tapping out polyrhythms at my desk for a few hours after I finished listening.
A fun listen that gets a bit repetitive, but is still very cool. I do not think I will revisit this project as a whole very often, but a couple of songs like Asabache and El Cumbanchero are fantastic. I find the departure from guitar and vocal driven music a nice change of pace, and it is so fun to just sink into a rhythmic and percussive project. The call and response work throughout the album is great too, and reminds me of a ton of the Sega, Seggae, and Creole albums I grew up listening to. Personally, this album gave me a ton of nostalgia for family events growing up. Fantastic listen, but idk how often I will revisit it.
i get the feeling this is the kind of album that has been sampled to death and back. this is the first time ive listened to rumba and i have no idea what the song making process is like but it gives me big jazz vibes. like a bunch of guys that know their instruments and their styles front to back and just go hard as fuck with a few drinks in hand and let the magic happen. particularly choferito-plena, whoever the mother fucker was that was going hard on that guitar was clearly off hits tits and loving every minute of it. they had some crazy good drums throughout obviously, but some subtle bass lines and miscellaneous percussion really made for an interesting auditory experience in an otherwise very unconventional sounding album. they completely defy the standard song structure of verse, chorus, verse bridge, chorus, instead opting for these long meandering riffs with chanting that lead into extended solos from their the drums and guitar that sometimes combined into at once discordant yet rhythmtic and coordinated duets. obviously the first track is standout but rhapsodia del maravilloso, choferito-plena and tribilin cantore were all personal favourites. amazing vocals, but mostly the inspired and creative instrumentation are what made this one a killer for me.
Maybe (?) The most front loaded album ever created. I LOVED the first 4 tracks on this thing, I listened to the album over and over and over and I just couldn't get around that back half. Those first four tracks though, mf masterpieces. 7/10 Fav tracks - El Cumbanchero, Billumba-Palo Congo, Choferito-Plena, Asabache, Least Fav - Simba
"My friends! My people! Welcome to the golden age of prosperity for every living Music Evil member! It was your trust that made it possible - your trust in me, El Jackbot!" "Know this, my people: I have nothing but contempt for English music - especially Britpop! When I heavily arm the police force, you will no longer fear the The Charlatans!" "Our efforts are aided by our hater comrades - to each according to their need, from each according to their ability. Equality for all, especially those who hate English music more than the others!" "Our problems are deeply rooted in the arrogance of Byron! When his takes invade our beaches, they are a 4. But when Supergrass knocks upon their door? They are a 1!" "What can you look forward to in years to come? Better Music! Led zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, more Bob Dylan - the 1001 albums of tomorrow will be built with 5’s!" Actual review, This slaps and I fucking love Latin music. I don't have to understand the what they're saying to do the rump shaker! loved my time with this one. 4/5
Finally an actually interesting album in the list. Also I found out today that both me and my infant quite enjoy this time of music. 4/5 stars
I'd much rather listen to something like this - repetitive, sure, but folk music with amazing grooves and actual heart and soul - than something like LCD Soundsystem. But if you really listen, the minimalistic shifts in the groove are incredible.
My only criticism of this album is the lack of congas.
Listening to this wild, visceral Cuban rumba while strolling the sterile aisles of a grocery store was a refreshingly dichotomous experience.
Not gonna lie; I have an inherent bias to this since my folks come from the Caribbean, and I know for a fact my pops would definitely vibe to this. I'm not looking for any complicated melodies or intellectual lyrics when I listen to this. Instead, I close my eyes and teleport myself to late 14th century B.C. in Hispaniola when Christopher Columbus wasn't there to colonize the beautiful island and picture myself among the Taino people vibing out to this and spiritually taking it all the beautiful scenery, enjoying the culture and the delicious fruits. That being said, this shit slaps. Best - Billumba-Palo Congo, Asabache, Rhapsodia del Maravilloso, and Aggo Elegua (MPF) Worst - no bad songs 3.50-3.75/5
I like drums. This album has a lot of drums.
extremely exciting to discover an album this old that traces the roots of the idiom of Dance Music as it is known in western popular music to Dance Music as in the tradition that has existed for probably as long as music itself has. i honestly cant imagine unsuspecting listeners in 1957 (or apparently, suspecting listeners in 2024, given the bizarrely low rym score) rly knew what to do with it? its super awesome tho...sweaty hypnotic call and response beats that just go and go and go a little more, feels free while being incredibly tight, feels old (much older then the recording, roots in afro-cuban folk styles) while being incredibly vital, feels spiritual while having more libido then any contemporary rock and roll would manage for a long long time
It's the rhythm of the island like the sugar cane so sweet. If you want to do the conga, you've got to listen to the beat.
I enjoyed listening to some 50s Cuban music. Not for daily consumption but interesting nonetheless.
4/5. I didn't know we could have a Congo solo but I'm not complaining. This was more of a jam album located in the basement of a latin bar, hot and sweaty with barely enough standing space. The vocals seem more like ad-lib or instruments themselves. This was a very enjoyable listen, chill and down to earth. Definitely not an all the time album but great nonetheless. Best Song: El Cumbanchero, Asabache, Simba
The era and genre is a sweet spot for me.
lmfao this rocks
A cheerful pick-me-up on what was otherwise a glum afternoon.
More incredibly interesting world music. I just dig the vibe of it all. Sometimes a little repetitive, but overall a fun journey of moving and grooving.
Very enjoyable and a great recording. A jazzy congo style.
I really like this and was in the mood. Gotta love the African influences on the Latin world. 3.5 stars.
It’s at it’s best when it’s focusing solely on the rhythm, Asabache is by far the best song on the album and the following are the other drum and vocal only tracks. And it’s not that the melodies are bad necessarily, it’s just that it is particularly badly recorded, even for the late 50’s, and so does get a bit grating. On the whole though, I am glad that I listened to it, and given it’s getting on to summer proper now, I may find myself returning to it sooner than I think
It's great music - it sounds so ritualistic in a weird way? It's like chanting but with instrumentation in it too. It just sets me into a trance but in a good way.
Another surprising collection of bangers!
I have owned albums from this genre and seen a live performance by Grupo Fantasma - incredibly fun live music, especially if the crowd is lively. This is a great album - I can see its influence on the US pop/rock scene. Pretty seminal being from the 50's.
Blue Note Congo. If you hate it, I’m sorry for your mother.
Ein schwungvolles, abwechslungsreiches Rumba Album. Die Musiker genial, der Gesang manchmal zu schrill. Aber insgesamt: sehr schön. "Asabache", "El Cumbanchero", "Choferito-Plena" sind einfach genial und ein toller Anspieltipp. "Rhapsodia del Maravilloso" ist vielleicht der Höhepunkt, aber das ist einfach Geschmackssache.
Maybe I was just in the right mood this morning but this really got me 4
Bongo's Bongo's bongo's.
This is so wonderful
I wanted to just get up and dance the whole time! I feel like it should be remixed because the vocals were sometimes overpowering, but this was a really fun find!
Can't fault the musicianship, and can't fault this being an exemplar of the genre. It's great as background music, but very tiring to actively listen to.
This is great. I like Afro-Cuban music anyway but the heavy congos are fun in this. Can definitely listen to this on a regular basis!
Es un disco divertido, me ha gustado bastante. Además algunas canciones eran en español.
fun listen
Congas mother fuckers! I’ve listened to this before and I find it enjoyable. Sure, it’s not something most people will listen to every day or in every situation, but when given a chance it can be a bit hypnotic to get lost in the polyrhythms and Latin melodies contained within. I also find this to be great music to listen to while focusing on work or a project. Sometimes we need to expand our horizons, and sometimes that new horizon is a straight up 6 minute conga instrumental.
Highly enjoyable, but that’s to be expected from a Blue Note record.
This album is pretty cool. I don't have a ton of context for conga music, but it's neat to listen to. The polyrhythms and call-and-response are familiar from other types of Afro-cuban influenced genres. The sound production could be better, but that's not unusual for the time it was made 4/5
This has great energy, as if a community celebration is happening rather than merely a performance. The musicianship is at a high level, and it is a lot of fun!
WEPA BABY THIS IS SMOOTH! I can hear the influences that some of my favorite Bachata songs took from this era of music. It is just easy listening and not much more which does not make it bad but makes it a nice background album. The instrumentation and the way the band works together on some of the songs is so interesting like on Rhapsodia del Maravilloso, The guitar keeps building higher and higher while the drums cascade in. So much patience and grace in a move like that its a 3.5 closer to a 4
ja wel crazy ngl
Sehr spannend. Musik pur.
4/5 Fun fun fun. Great album to not worry about a thing to.
Ihan saatanan hyvä! Kunnon rumbaa eikä syntikoita 4/5
Fun and energetic, takes me to another time and place. The production and harshness of the backing vocals detracts a bit from the experience and some of the tracks, like Simba, were a bit much. But overall, two thumbs up. Certainly interesting and worth a listen. Also, took Spotify down a great path for today, always nice side benefit. 3.5 rounding up for attitude.
Hey, it ain’t jazz though released by Blue Note. Reminds me of some Cuban traditional music. But in the end I found it quite haunting, and also amused by the number that sounds like Sabu’s band is trying to teach someone Spanish.
Amazing! Just listening can clean out your sinuses! More!
Love this energy.
Probably the best *checks Wikipedia* Cuban rumba album I’ve ever listened to.
pretty cool. quite varied and some songs styles I had not really experienced before.
Happy and entertaining at first, but a little boring after a while 3.5
Musically an absolute 5, I love it. The vocals and this is perhaps a reflection on how they recorded, just got quite tiresome and distractive. 3.5 for sure but I round up.
Not familiar with this artist, but liked the sound (samba?)
Katsos, olen ensimmäinen, joka myöntää, että luultavasti "ymmärrän" tätä. Mutta selvä tosiasia oli, että tätä oli mahtavaa kuunnella. Se on toistuvaa melua. Sinun täytyy olla TODELLA innostunut conga-rummuista rakastaaksesi tätä albumia. Siellä on 6 minuutin kappale, joka on MITÄÄN KUIN CONGAS. Ja seuraava on 4-minuuttinen raita USEIMMAT kongaista, joita rikkovat satunnaiset huudot ja kovaääniset sambapillit. asabache
3+
Primo cooking music muchahco
Outstanding Latin jazz - might rival “the one…”
So different from what I'd usually listen to. Liked more than I didn't.
Won’t lie, never listened to a Congo album, but damn I’m glad I did.
Surprisingly good to work out to, though I’m not sure how much I’d enjoy this album in any other context. Years of listening to “Drums/Space” against my will prepared me for this moment I think. The guitar on “Rhapsodia” was nice.
Totally not music I listen to but it was an enjoyable listen.
This was some very fun stuff, fuse those rhythms straight into my bones baby
Eens iets anders. Wel heel leuk. Erg traditioneel
I like how the rhythmic ideas was the main focus of the album.
okay it was interesting experience
Great to see what Sabu was up to 35 years or so before he started regularly throwing himself through stuff from great heights on EC Dub. Turns out he was ace at the congas and bongos. Multi talented guy. Anyway I love stuff like Ray Baretto and Blue Note in general so I was open to this. Have to be honest I did prefer the ones with guitar accompaniment, but the one that were simply absolutely banging bongos with chanting were a jam as well.
Purely emotional. So refreshing.
Loved the drums on this record
I'm always amazed at listening to recordings done that far back and earlier. Some sound dated, and some sound timeless. This was a bit of a mix really. It wasn't until maybe the last song or two that I felt the weight of the years come rushing into the recording itself. Afro-Cuban music is not something I am familiar with, but the energy from this gives me a great impression. The yips were a bit annoying, but that was just them getting into the music, so it's forgivable. The instrumentation was very interesting. Very percussive, which at times drowned out the other instruments. But they were the most important part of the band here... All in all, I liked this album quite a lot. The last song or two was okay, but I felt the production really made you feel that the album was as old as it is. But I might be nitpicking here a bit...
4 stars, good grooves.
Neat! A conguero! I grooved…but desperately needed context for this album. According to Wikipedia Sabu Martinez has a wildly impressive American jazz and pop resumé and started his career performing with Benny Goodman and Dizzy Gillespie at 19 years old! That’s about all I can find. Dude seems pretty important to a very specific scene. And notable for weaving percussive, Afro-Cuban sounds into the American bebop scene. But Palo Congo—his debut—doesn’t appear to be his most important album. That appears to be his last, 1973’s Afro Temple, which is wildly psychedelic and awesome! I highly recommend checking it out (it’s on Youtube) if you were at all intrigued by this. Interesting how the larger 1001 community reviewers rate obscure, dated, and global (or globally-influenced in this case) music so lowly. Seems unfair. I seriously saw one reviewer complaining that this album was featured on the list instead of a second Supertramp album. Like, what? Nobody needs to hear two Supertramp albums before they die. One of these is far more vital. So, I’m boosting this master conguero's record with a strong 4 out of 5.
Fantastic music! I love the exposure to other culture's music that this challenge has brought me. Very cool
This one is ... not boring! Cubans banging on congo drums - for long periods, with some random yelling. It is not something I would've expected to find on this list, not because it isn't great, but because lists like this tend to lean towards more popular music and this is way too weird to ever be popular. Overall, I found it super interesting, raw, engaging, and cool. The rhythms are killer. This is a strange one but definitely one I will enjoy listening to again.
nice, especially "Billumba-Palo Congo".
Really loved the sounds on this one. Dig me some good percussion.
Slaps?????? 4.2/5
I enjoyed this jazz record. Yep.
I always thought that not much creativity was happening in music before I was born. I suppose it's easy to fall into that trap. This album shows that Afro beats and Cuban music were being fused creating the Afro Cuban genre before I was born. That's wicked. I wonder who was listening to it? We know our parents weren't that cool.
A perfect blend of ear bending splendour riding a zephyr of peace and tranquility. This tore a hole right through my mind and exposed my inner most fantasies to every inch of my quaking being. Hold the phone, Pedro, we have lift off.
I've never thought I needed a freaking conga driven Cuban rumba for my morning but here we are.
8/10 fun album but I wish the instruments were more diverse a lot of those songs were basically just a drum solo going on for a long time I get that that’s their culture and their music I’m not hating on it, but they have guitar and other stuff and it sounded really cool, I think they should’ve used it more
Infectious rhythms everywhere. The almost raucous call and response in the vocals of a couple of tracks carries the joy the musicians seem to experience as they play. Since this appears to be an album featuring a percussion ensemble, I was surprised by the brilliant guitar playing that came along on a few of the tracks. The natural sound of an amp pushed just to breakup, and reverb of what sounds like an actual hall, gives a fullness and warmth to the guitar sound, while the playing is as ebullient and spontaneous as the percussion.
Very cool texture. Never listened to Cubop, but I should. 4 stars
Yeah this one was good at times