Kenya

I don't go crazy for instrumental albums.

Good jazz, but it felt a bit repetitive, and the horns were a little grating at times. But good nonetheless

Fun Afro-Cuban big band instrumental music from 1957

OMG. Bland and repetitive. Best served with bad Mexican food.

You can smell the sea salt taste the Cuba Libres.

solid cuban

Big band jazz with loads of horns blasting out huge riffs and taking turns stepping out to rip quick solos, rumba grooves for some swing, seven layers of percussion for hypnotic complex rhythms and an endless reserve of energy. Music that makes it worth driving your big long car out to the casino.

This started at a furious, frantic pace and I wasn't sure what I was in for. It definitely didn't live up to what I thought it would be but it still delivered. Had that 60s feel like these songs were in the running to be The Jetsons theme song.

Best enjoyed with headphones

Bongos, Latin rhythm... Meh

1957 release - at least I know it will not be a long listen. This is a genre I was supposed to hear before I died. There is nothing this album can do to separate itself from any other within the genre. I’ll I kept thinking about was the movie very bad things and also the part in godfather 2 when they were in Cuba. Soundtrack material. It’s good stuff but nothing I can see ever voluntarily putting on again.

no strong opinion

Badass Latin sound - don’t know what you haters are on about

Enjoyed that more than I thought I would

Latin/afro-cuban jazz that’s heavy on the horns and bongos. There’s no guessing how many layered, harmonizing horns there are here (though for some reason they sound a bit cheesy). Some of it is quite speedy and intense - it forces you on the ride and can cause a bit of whiplash, but fun once you’re adjusted. Then it widens its palette with smooth and more varied emotions, though I felt it started to blend together a bit as it went on. Decent listen but not a huge lasting impression.

Great for working

I know nothing about jazz, especially Cuban jazz so this will be a vibes based only reaction. Worried about the audio quality considering its age, anything prior to 1965 is usually a bit suspect to modern ears. I see that there is a remaster available, which is what I'll be listening to. Other than that I'm not sure what to expect as most of the jazz I've listened to is either spiritual or psychedelic in nature. Notes will probably be short. Hoping for a quick and easy listen. Wild Jungle Bongos and horns. Erratic. Every sound sounds purposeful. Not sure about the structure. Don't really get the part where it's only playing the bongos. Energetic. Decent. 3.5/5 Congo Mulence I enjoy the rhythm. The big band esque trumpets take me out of the groove somewhat. Nice saxophone sound, great performance. Decent. 3.5/5 Kenya Starts of grand and dramatic. Great groove. Paints a picture of a cosy, nostalgic place. Makes me picture a semi-busy morning at a market. Good. 4/5 Oyeme The rhythm from here is infectious. Not sure if I like the trumpets on this one. The sax player is clearly having a good time. Sounds a bit too busy for my tastes. Fine. 3/5 Holiday Heard the start of the song before I read the title and thought that it sounded like being on holiday somewhere chilled out and free. Guess they hit the nail in the coffin with this one. Sounds warm and comfortable. Catchy. Fun. 4/5 Cannonology Sounds like an exposition of some kind. Old timey World's Fair type of vibe. I imagine being shown what's the latest within refigirator technology, while overhearing someone talking about their radium infused chewing gum while this is playing in the background. Got my imagination not sure if it counts as zoning out or not. 4/5 Frenzy Old timey superhero cartoon chase scene soundtrack. Definitely sounds like a "frenzy" or at least a scramble of some kind. Love the drums. Don't like the ending. Fine. 3/5 Blues La Machito Late night sort of vibe. Sounds like the smell of cigarettes and car exhaust. There's a little bit of opening credits to a romance movie vibes to it too. Decent. 3.5/5 Conversation Love the melody here. Puts me in a good mood. Danceable. There's some fun interplay here I'm really appreciating. The bouncing between instruments does make it feel like a conversation. Fitting title. Great. 4.5/5 Tin Tin Deo Not sure what's going on but I like it. It's like two complimentary songs are being played in parallel with each other. Sounds well thought out and put together. Don't know the terms to describe why I like it. Good. 4/5 Minor Rama I'm not sure what to say. Sounds good I guess. Jazz is happening in my ears. The band is really tight. Decent. 3.5/5 Tururato Sounds like it's playing peekaboo with me at the start. The sax seems to be moving a lot. It's played soulfully with a lot of feeling and percision. Mood lifter. 3.5/5 Wow I feel really exposed by this. I'm not sure if I have the musical palatte to even appreciate what is going on here for the most part. I understand that what I'm listening to is good, and that the people playing the music are really talented, but regarding how it is in relation to other works of the era I'm clueless. It was defintely a challenging listen for my rock-wired brain. I was never bored by it, the performances put me in a good mood and the rhythm entranced me somewhat. I'm just happy I finally got a jazz album, and especially an early one as it's something I definitely wouldn't seek out on my own. Decent record I suppose, pleasantly suprised. Sits somewhere between a 3 and 4 for me. Would love to revisit in the future once I'm more in tune with the genre. Fave song. Holiday Least fave song. Oyeme

cool and jazzy

Very cool. I love this and it becomes on of my first 4* albums

Es wäre so viel geiler mit Musik :(

For jazz, decent. Lots of what feel like show tunes from the early 40s and 50s...

Incredibly solid for the genre

If you ever wanted a jazz album that sounds like the lost soundtrack to a ‘70s spy thriller—complete with car chases, rooftop escapes, and smoky underground clubs—Kenya is it. From the very first notes, the album bursts to life with fiery brass, intricate percussion, and a groove so infectious it feels impossible to resist. The Afro-Cuban rhythms are the backbone of the record, with congas, timbales, and bongos creating an unstoppable momentum, while the horn section punches through with sharp, commanding blasts that add urgency and drama. And then there’s trumpeter Mario Bauzá, whose playing is downright electrifying, cutting through the mix with soaring, razor-sharp lines that push the excitement even further. His melodies dance over the complex rhythms, giving the music a thrilling edge that feels both sophisticated and untamed. Beyond its cinematic energy, Kenya is a masterclass in Afro-Cuban jazz, seamlessly blending tight, big-band arrangements with raw, pulsing rhythm. The interplay between the horns and percussion is mesmerizing, constantly shifting between explosive outbursts and locked-in grooves that make every track feel alive. The call-and-response moments, the driving montunos on piano, and the syncopated basslines all contribute to an atmosphere of controlled chaos—everything feels carefully arranged yet completely spontaneous at the same time. It’s vibrant, it’s exhilarating, and above all, it’s the perfect mood lifter.

Jazzzzzzzzzzz

Very fun snd upbeat jazz? Sounds like the 60s to me.

A very nice if somewhat ordinary album of cuban jazz. All tunes are pleasant but nothing that really stands out and made me sit up and take notice. 3.0 stars

Crime movie montage music.

3/5

Fav: Tin Tin Deo Least Fav: Oyeme

Fun and exciting Jazz explosion. Certainly have to be in the mood to enjoy these and I wasn’t necessarily at the time. Regardless, worth a revisit

the remaster still sounded bad

Would not even be too bad if only the songs were not all exactly the same...

Cool stuff! A 3.5 for me. Not my usual jam but pleasant as a one time thing

Tämähän on raikas! Hyvää soundii siihen nähden että tää on näinkin vanha. Erihyvää lattarikaahailua! 4/5

Huikea jazz-levy! Menoa, meinikiä ja rytmiä. 5/5

This really isn't for me at all but I fucking loved this album

Meh

Very jungle-y, while still feeling like Latin jazz. Not a regular, but it made for an upbeat Thursday.

Old Hollywood background music

Not bad.

Man. this album is loud. I'm sure its very influential to who its influential to, but to me, its just loud. Apparently there was a swing revival in the 90s and that's all this album reminds me of. Like that dancing scene in The Mask, its cool for the context, but deafening loud and almost any other circumstance. And every song sounds exactly the same.

This was cool to listen to

That was fun!

Really not something I like. I feel that I’m watching a movie from the 50s again and again

I'm not particularly keen on jazz but this is something else entirely. The real star here is the percussion section. Relentless afro-cuban drums that you physically cannot hear and not at least move your hips just a little. And yes, I certainly did.

Absolutely incredible melodies over a phenomenal rhythm section.

short and sweet, incredibly fun album. i put it on at work and before i knew it i was halfway through it.

Unbelievably cool

zoned out but was vibey

Album 684 of 1001 Machito - Kenya (1957) Rating : 4 / 5 Afro-Cuban jazz. Vibrant and energetic. I do love my horns. It's a keeper.

This is music I grew up with even though I'm only 27. This was always playing in the 40's and 50's films that were on almost all the time when I was little so this album was delightful and nostalgic. Would listen again.

Good background music, nothing notable. Probably Won't relisten

Nice drums

Jazz dus niet uitgeluisterd

It's a decent jazz sound. A little more intense than what I prefer as background music, but not bad.

Brassy and exciting in a way that reminds me of some of the better, earlier James Bond soundtracks. But, like most instrumentals ends up feeling more like background music... or the soundtrack to some spy film I should check out.

An insane amount of energy for a purely instrumental album, & the kind of fun discovery I'd hoped to have more of in doing this exercise.

Instrumental Afro-Cuban jazz. Another one of these albums where it’s high quality but the style doesn’t appeal to me all that much.

animated and absurdly fun to listen to, this album will make any person strut and shimmy like they were carmen miranda. as is standard with big band jazz albums around this time, it has a strong emphasis on clever and complex pop beats and insane brass hits. compared to others I've listened to, this one has a much stronger latin flare; the rolling congas will make even a senile 90-year-old shake their bum like mad.

Music to my ears after far, far too many mediocre British albums. Had me captivated from start to finish with some wonderful unexpected solos that were straight fire.

I really enjoyed this overall!

Un bel sottofondo, ma niente di più

that was WONDERFUL! Loved every minute, latin/jazz/ salsa have a special place in my heart - best music to clean your house to

Wow...this comes flying out of the gate! The energy is epic. Yet, it's not convulsed nor anxiety provoking. You can hear the individual instruments, and they are in harmony with each other...even at a frantic pace. And, I love a good sassy sax.

The energy hasn't faded one iota but I'm not really knowledgeable enough to judge the true greatness of this album. It blends together with the sound of its time and it's legacy of the past 60 years. Moments are a little soundtracky through no fault of the album - it's just what came later. The drums are universally great. The horn blasts are persistent. I will say I listened a second time and felt a much greater appreciation. I may continue to throw this on

Incredible

heard before prolly 3

I was digging it for the first couple songs. Then I realized the songs all sound the same…

Need to be the right mood to listen to it but good when you are.

This is fun. Like a jazzy party. Lots of horns. Unfortunately the most interesting song was first and I don’t think the rest quite match up to it. Favorites were Wild Jungle, Kenya, and Cannonology

Not the type of music I listen to regularly, so I enjoyed this diversion

Super energetic Afriacan beats over very smooth Big Band Jazz. Pure late 60s charm. Sexy and fun.

Hell yeah

Funky vibes

Music from a different time and culture. A lot of of blare from all the brass and some of the woodwinds. Interesting mashup of Latin beats and big band. (2.2*s)

I couldn't decipher one song from the next but overall a decent sound. The album is successful in creating an atmosphere, the part in a spy movie where the lead is sneaking around a fancy party. The album is not successful in it's name and cover art. This is way more Latin/Cuban/Big Band and than Afro. A little over the top with the horns at times but more listenable jazz than we've had to date. 2.05 for originally coming out in 1957.

Some slick Cuban sounds from the Machito bros. Very similar throughout but upbeat. Horns didn't annoy me like they often do in big band. This is some shake dat ass while you clean your house music. Dos estrellas.

It was decent but overall forgettable. There's nothing this album does to stand out. Not sure I even recognized when songs ended and the next one began. It's just kinda feels like 30 minutes of any cuban music I've heard in the background at a cantina or elsewhere. I don't mean it as a criticism of the entire genre but it would be hard for me to tell good cuban mambo from bad cuban mambo. It all sounds like bongos and horns, which isn't necessarily a bad thing but really only works in the correct atmosphere. Kenya isn't awful but I'm not sure it belongs on this list for any reason. 1.62 stars

Fun vibes, not something I’d listen to regularly but great fun

Kenya was *fun*. This album was different from anything I've heard in a long time (say no to more post-punk and brit-pop music), and it was so lively and engaging. I loved every time the trumpet was prominent. Kenya is Latin jazz; its release in 1957 seems rather timely to me since there's a combination of western jazz with authentic Latin aspects. And I admire an instrumental album whose song titles perfectly match the song's components.

As I have said time and time again in my reviews, jazz isn't really my thing. That said, give me Latin jazz like this ANY day. This was energetic and fun. It sounded slightly more improvisational than a lot of the Latin jazz I've heard on this project, and it executed that extremely well. This is probably about a 3.5 for me, but making me enjoy jazz is no easy feat, so I'm gonna round it up. This was just SO well done.

Great album. Never listened to Machito before but I really enjoyed this. This type of album is exactly what I'm looking for in this project. 5 stars all day.

Erfrischender Jazz, zT Bigband aber nicht so amerikanisch ernst.

The bass sounds great. The brass sounds great. The rhythm section sounds great. The first album that I've not heard before that truly deserves to be on this list. Excellent choice.

a fun listen. i'm not the biggest fan of the kind of squealing horns you often see in jazz, so after a while that grates on me, but the tempo and energy vary enough to keep it light and prevent a repetitive experience

Put this on , make a cocktail, cook dinner, enjoy life

Maybe I've listened to too many jazz albums from this list but everything just sounds like a soundtrack to me now. Or maybe I'm just into jazz now, who knows. This was fairly hectic but I kinda ejnoyed it! Kudos to it being a short album

3.5

Absolutely fantastic big band jazz. Incredible percussion and kick ass arrangements.

Not a massive jazz fan but this was pretty fun

Very cool jazz album from an artist i’ve never heard of, good rhythms

This was nice.

Fiery, explosive and in your face. The brass on this record is from another world, always hard hitting and beautifully articulate. Combined with the furious percussion throughout results in one of the most passionate, addictive jazz albums of the 20th century. Best Tracks: - Holiday - Wild Jungle - Blues a Machito Worst Tracks: N/A Rating: 8.5/10

repetitive. its okay, but can really get annoying

Super rad. The hard panning is sometimes a bit tough but if I can do it for the Beatles I can do it for this. Other than that, very nice, my wife.

Great Jazz Album! Not something I would go listen to everyday, but wonderful background music. 4/5

This is the very epitome of an Afro-Cuban jazz album it seems to me. The tracks are not as long as on other albums which then sometimes kills the groove a bit too early. That would be my only criticism. Otherwise, it's a great album.

It really is amazing how varied jazz can be. The simple change of location can make all the difference in sound. For this particular record, I got a glimpse into the mind of Francisco Raúl Gutiérrez Grillo, otherwise known as Machito. He’s known as one of the pioneers of Cuban jazz and salsa music. Cuban jazz is specifically the earliest form of Latin jazz, which came about in the 1940s. And from the moment this starts to the moment it ends, this is one wild ride. Jazz is such a spectrum of emotions. On one end, you might get something like Naima by John Coltrane. And on the other end, you’ll find Frenzy. As I’ve expressed in the past, I am unfortunately a sucker for anything with a really loud and tight brass section. Of which this has in droves. It’s a rambunctious and exhilarating listening experience. And whether or not some of these songs are quite similar, it’s an enjoyable experience beginning to end. I love how percussion heavy it is, with good chunks of songs being composed of solely congas, bongos and timbales. And for how large this lineup of musicians is, they are unreasonably interlocked with one another. Some songs feel fit to back the introduction of a very charismatic and suave villain in an action movie, while others could work as the soundtrack to the chase scene which follows that introduction. Although I love jazz music which can lull me into a deep, warm relaxation. But I also love jazz music which amps me up and makes me want to ram my head through a brick wall while on coke. Rating: 7/10

nothing crazy, nice beat

This sounds like I'm strapped to a chair that's turning counter-clockwise while oversaturated, single-tone tiki head, palm tree and surf board projections spin in the opposite direction. I can't close my eyes and I'm being force-fed a pina colada. Some might call it a good time, but I feel nauseous.

3.5/5

toot toot parp

i really do not like the shrill trumpets/tenor saxes i find them unbelievably grating. there’s just nothing there, especially when it’s multiple horns/tenor sax (NOT alto) at the same time ugh it’s just an awful blaring mess to me. but i like the african style drums so much…ditch the tenor and the horns and give me more of that alto saxophone and those congas….yeah….!

LOVE. love latin jazz. thank you latin people for inventing that <3

Fun jazz

Fun, jazzy feel

Svängig jazzig och trevlig instrumental musik med mycket influenser. Gillar taktbytena.

Sounds like a movie soundtrack, which is fun for about 5".

Fun! Light 4.

Very good latin jazz to play at a cocktail party

I have no real perspective on this but it was nice to have in while I worked and the musicians were skilled. Would do a 3.5 if possible.

Not the jazz I like to listen to with whisky, but, the kind that's fun to dance to.

5/5

A fun listen with a lot of energy, enjoyed it!

Fine but got boring. Lots of brass 2.5

Frenetic, high-powered afro-Cuban jazz. This kind of thing is why I started doing this project: hearing albums I love that I never would’ve touched otherwise.

This was great! I think the only one I like better is Dave Brubeck, but it is super close depending on my mood.

I can’t lie to you, I felt like a classy ass bitch listening to this. I was snapping my fingers in the back of the Uber like I was a rich aristocrat. Snazzy jazzy album!

Perfect dinner cooking music is correct. Love the heavily featured horns in this funky jazz

Funky latin jazz with great horns and drums. Perfect dinner cooking music.

This was okay. I have to be in the right environment for jazz, and car driving with background noise of kid show dialogue bleeding out of iPads was not it.

Hell yeah, brother. This was fun. It’s like they all say…I don’t always listen to Afro-Cuban jazz fusion, but when I do, I prefer that it’s the sweet sweet sounds of Machito.

A breath of fresh air for the first album of 2025. The blaring sound of the brass. The fierce rhythm of the bongos. Top notch album from start to finish.

This was a really enjoyable rhythmic fiesta. It didn't let up the entire time and provided a happy upbeat vibe for the day.

for a pure jazz album it wasnt too bad, but its still not really my cup of tea

Fantastic from start to finish

I'm starting to really love all the "Afro-" genres this list has introduced me to, so add Afro-Cuban Jazz to the list. Massively up tempo beats that never end, a weird frenetic energy in the rhythm sections and the horns, my god the horns....

Who knew I would like Latin Jazz? It really does have a '50's gangster movie' feel about it in places. Some of the tunes could be great for a montage.

No private session used for Spotify. It's a brisk sunny January day in the Pacific Northwest. The groovy rhythms and the blaring horns did not fit. The rhythms I dug, the horns were as pleasant as car horns while being stuck in traffic.

Favourite songs: Wild Jungle, Minor Rama, Cannonology, Frenzy, Congo Mulence Least favourite songs: Kenya 3/5

Fabulous. Nothing like some good jazz to get you going.

Tanzbare Jazzmusik mit sehr viel Percussion. Hier bekommen die Gefühle ihren persönlichen Soundtrack. Das haut rein.

I had to relisten a few songs but this album is a banger. Maybe it's average tempo is too fast but it is have the flow and the vibe.

Are we in toppings?

decent vibes

Not my thing

Man I wish I liked jazz but I just don’t

Quite enjoyed 3.7

I feel like I am watching old cartoons with this fun instrumental music. Stand-out: Holiday

Gear: Fostex TH610 Artwork: 🎭🎭🎭 Production (2000 Remaster): 🎧😘🤌 Music: 🎺🪘🤯 Rating: 🎭🎭🎭(🎭)/5

A bit on the boring side, even 30mins was too long a run time. Not really my thing, but I'm still usually able to tell if this is a good or bad release within it's genre. But here I've no idea. 2.5*

It’s fine although I’m not really into jazz.

What did I do in life to deserve two jazz albums in a row? 1.92

This is like an "I Love Lucy" soundtrack. I imagine Ricky Ricardo playing this down at The Tropicana. It's fun enough to have on as background music while cleaning or maybe at a party if the vibe is right. But it's not something I'd casually listen to. The music is well done, but the beats are kind of repetitive and it gets boring after a few songs. There are better Cuban artists out there I'd rather spend my time listening to. 3/5

Beachside cocktail music. All very nice and groovy in the right time and place. I'm not a jazz guy and this did not make my ears bleed and generally funked along.

Not my favorite genre, but it is fun! 3/5

Not a huge jazz fan, but I enjoyed this album. Lots of awesome horns and spicy tunes. 1001 album worthy: Yes - 8/15

As far as jazz goes this was pretty good and engaging but I have a hard time fully enjoying something that doesn’t have any lyrics

Surprisingly good.

This kicks ass.

Frenetic

Not in the mood. Fucking jazz, it’s up there with the harmonica as my least favorite type of music.

Spangly and sparkly! If I have to listen to jazz, then this is what I'd listen to (but probably not all at once!) High energy and fun - but I really need to be in the mood!

Good vibes, good energy

BEAST MODE FINALLY SOMETHING GOOD OMG

Was expecting this to be horrible but my God was I wrong, really good album and a quality listen

An album I've grown my horizons for having listened and one in the chamber if I ever make that movie. The drumming is sick.

Итс окэй. Ровно то, чего ожидаешь от описания. Лучшая песня - Congo Mulence.

so incredibly fun highlights: wild jungle, kenya, holiday (feb 12 2026)

Doctor! Ya gotta help me! My legs won't stop twitching! And I think it's spreading to the rest of my body... lookit my fingers! I see. They appear to have an uncontrollable rhythmic clicking. My goodness me! Your head has now developed bopping motions! This is serious! You have an advanced case of Afro-Cuban jazz! It's highly contagious and there's no cure. What can I do? I'm too young for Afro-cubanism. *Sobs* *bops* *hops* *flip-flops* *scats* This is the best I can do I'm afraid... Take two Brat Summers and call me in the morning.

Pretty good. I feel that its sound is more Central American than Kenyan (as another reviewer pointed out), but the jazz elements are fairly strong. The improvisation is skilled, as is the technical ability in the drums, trumpets, and other horns. The tracks I could really jive to were ones that had distinct, easy-to-remember/-sing melodic hooks – including Holiday and Wild Jungle. Others were less commercial, having complex rhythms and a (perhaps) overwhelming number of sax/horn notes spilling out all at once. The compositions are impressive in this regard, but they aren't necessarily enjoyable. Unlike most other genres, jazz typically needs long track runtimes, both for development of themes and allowing chances for soloists to shine. I feel there are dozens of missed opportunities throughout this album for the solos (particularly with the trumpet) to really gain momentum. Instead, the tracks flash by in 3-minute chunks. It's a puzzling choice. There are also so many indistinct melodic themes presented in quick succession that it starts to blend together around the halfway point. Punk albums, being comprised of similarly "quickfire" tracks, tend to have a similar problem. 3/5 Key tracks: Wild Jungle, Kenya, Holiday

Simply fantastic Latin jazz album!

I saw jazz and thought of dim lit, smoky bars with someone “jazzing” for hours but boy I was wrong. Fun Jazz. Loved it.

Saved Prior: None Off Rip: Wild Jungle, Congo Mulence, Kenya, Holiday, Cannonology, Conversation, Tin Tin Deo, Minor Rama Cutting Edge: None Overall Notes: Now THIS is an Incredible Bongo Band.

A real treat!

It's alright, but this is an album where it feels like something is missing—not in the music per se, but in the experience as a whole—like there's meant to be a silent film or tactile activity accompanying it. Like I'd love this at a restaurant on a night out in the city! I'd say that's a general feeling I hold toward most big-band music. Obviously, this was released in the late '50s and it does have some interesting percussive elements to give it that rhumba edge - but still, I can't say it does very much for me. I did like the break on 'Cannonology' and the opening minutes of 'Frenzy'. The latter may be my favorite song just because of the percussive diversity in the breakdown portions - it all sounds so fiery. Horn-wise, I love the smooth and delicate nature of the song 'Tin Tin Deo' the most. The musicianship is there, it's grand, and it takes me places - but I found myself enjoying the percussion a lot while wishing the big-band horn and jazzy elements were a bit more varied and interesting.

A good sounding and fun big band, but it was pretty excessive on the brass and there weren't any particular moments

I generally like my jazz music with a little more finesse vs. brute force, but on the brute force end of the spectrum, this is really fun.

Jazz again, with some nice bits but mostly I just didn't care about it. Clearly talented musicians, but not for me.

Cinco Estrellas!

Jazzy and bongorific

Like a tiki bar in my ears.

Fabulous. Makes me want to invite over Kramer and Newman to make sausages in the kitchen

Fantastic and timeless. The 1950s were a great time for all genres of music. Then Mitch Miller showed up and ruined it all.

Not my thing

very cool.

This was super fun. So much bongo bashing! It did get a bit samey after 20 minutes though.

Pretty awesome. Great drumming. Impressive for late 50’s.

Not really sure what this had to do with Kenya, but it’s a solid swing album with a neat mixture of Latin rhythms. Best song: Blues a la Machito

why is this actually so fun

kinda mid jazz i’m sorry

Pre-listening thoughts: album cover is scary but lord not as scary as election news the morning I revealed this album Post/during listening thoughts: this is pretty solid jazz music, I don’t have a lot else to say. There’s no vocals which is something I gravitate towards, but lots and lots of horns. It’s bright, and it’s fun. I don’t think I’d revisit this though, it’s just not my genre of choice. 6.5/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no Fav tracks: Frenzy Least fav tracks: n/a

This was pretty cool! It felt extremely fun and had a lot of different things going on. That's not a very technical review, is it? But it is quite a good description.

A bit of an assault musicianship is great and arrangements solid. It feels more Hollywood than Afro-Cuban but I did like the last 2 songs which felt more layered.

Very interesting and chaotic at the same time, but it kept me wondering what comes next. I think this is the most important thing when listening to a new artist.

A very musical album, all of the songs has a fun beat and groove to them. In particular I liked the upbeat energy of Wild Jungle and the more relaxed rhythm of Holiday. Definitely an album I'm going to save.

Nah

Fun album, clearly influenced ezea collective

This is one of those perfect perfect background groups at the jazz club/ cocktail party/ non-intimate dinner. Not only is it interesting and easy to enjoy solo, but it has that feel that it ought be shared. While it is worth listening to, it doesn't require a lot of effort, you just sort of let it drift in and out of your consciousness. On the other hand it is probably a little too lively for study music. Probably best as background music at a gathering where everyone will find themselves happy and motivated by the music that they are only sub-consciously paying attention to. Also a shout out to the world music vibe well ahead of its time!

what an amazing funky album

Not my kind of music

Not my cup of tea

Did not expect to like this, since I have never liked jazz (though I always thought that maybe I didn't like it because I wasn't exposed to the right kind). Anyhow, I liked this! Reminded me a bit of cumbia, which I enjoy listening to on occasion. I particularly liked Congo Mulence and Tin Tin Deo.

Cubaanse jazz. Veel drukke bongo partijen, dat is leuk.

I thought the music was okay.

Loved it. Very different but good for resetting the brain into a less stressed state

This is great fun. Makes me feel like in a Bond movie (in a good way)

3/5

wow! future cuban afro jazz for the win. horrrrnnnsssss! more hornsssssss! toot toot!

3 - kinda an ambient jazzy experience, it wasn’t bad

Great. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Not my thing but was nice!!

Part of the reason I started this exercise was to uncover key releases in genres I knew little about. I have to admit, when it comes to Latin jazz, Afro-Cuban fusion, and big band music, I’m pretty unenlightened. That’s on me—I should do better. So, discovering Kenya by Machito felt like stepping into uncharted territory. My first reaction? What in the Pink Panther Soundtrack is this?! The album is a whirlwind of upbeat, high-energy compositions, performed by a collective of virtuosos. With track titles like “Frenzy” and “Wild Jungle,” it captures the controlled chaos of Afro-Cuban jazz perfectly. Under the musical direction of his brother-in-law, Mario Bauzá, Machito delivers each track with fire and precision. It’s a full-throttle showcase of the genre’s intensity. Critics have noted that, while the musicianship is top-notch, the structure—particularly in the trumpet sections—leaves little room for the freewheeling improvisation expected in jazz. But honestly, that control makes the album more approachable for someone like me, who’s new to the genre. The tight arrangements give listeners something to latch onto, even amid the flurry of horns and percussion. From my limited perspective, the African and Cuban influences feel mostly confined to the percussion, with jazz dominating the compositions. That said, I think the balance works in the album’s favour. If the Afro-Cuban elements were more dominant, it might lose some of its punch and clarity. Overall, Kenya was a fun, refreshing listen—and I can totally picture Austin Powers unwinding to it after a long day of espionage. Did/Do I own this release? No Does this release belong on the list? Yes Would this release make my personal list? Given my admitted ignorance, I’d probably choose a few of the "classics" first. Will I be listening to it again? In the right mood, absolutely. It’s the perfect soundtrack for a dinner party!

Oh fuck yes!! This is music at its finest. If you had to listen to just 1 record before you die, this is the one. Infinity/5

I enjoyed the trumpet and brass throughout the songs. Frenzy fit its name really well. It did start to blend together after a while, but I also wanted to dance in my seat and shake my booty most of the time. It really was a mesh of sounds and genres into some fun music. I can imagine being in an old smokey big band club watching people dance, move and have a good time.

I would enjoy dancing with my wife to this music, in a jazz club in Cuba.

I would really enjoy this at a jazz club in Cuba.

Sallsssaaaaaaa

This was really fun to listen to for a few songs. After the 4th or so song, the horns started to sound really shrill. Then again, I have a migraine lol.

It’s so dynamic and exciting and creative. I’m honestly mad at myself that I’d never heard of Machito before this.

nice

Some standard mambo music- was nice as background

😐👍

Hay que estar en la onda, pero como todos los discos de esta lista, en realidad. Sin embargo, cuando lo estás, es decir, cuando has sintonizado con las vibraciones de este jazz afro-cubanos, pues es genial.

A solid enough endeavor in the ceaselessly intriguing cultural musical mashups that occurred in the decade of this album's release. Favorites: Wild Jungle, Kenya, Holiday, Cannonology, Blues a la Machito, Minor Rama.

Historic Latin Jazz album

Väldigt stökigt och skummt Wild jungle: 1/10 alldeles för mycket som händer Congo mulence: 3/10 lugnare än förra, mer som vanlig bra jazz Kenya: 4/10 går att lyssna på, nästan okej Oyeme: 2/10 för mycket blås Resten: alla låter typ likadant

Love discovering records from this era. Great background music for cocktail time, just like my grandparents intended.

I was surprised to hear Cannonball on this! The rhythm section is killer. And, I love Cannonball, but his stunt casting here I think does the material a disservice. He just sounds so out of place, and he can't really swing with some of these grooves. I'll still add it into the cocktail hour rotation, but, this was a weird one.

I'm often put off by Cuban influenced music as whistles are too shrill for me. This was all rhythm and horns. Very good stuff that I had not previously heard. Big horns. Lots-o-horns. While I read this was a bit formulaic, and more Hollywood than Cuban, I don't know the genre well enough to know about that. So tell Lucy that I'm home, 4 stars.

Lively and engergetic but don't really know how to classify this one.

‘Afro-Cuban jazz’ might be my kinda jazz, though I didn't love it like I expected to - it faded into the background a little easily for my tastes. Maybe it could do with a little more 'Afro-Cuban' and a little less 'jazz'? It *was* perfectly pleasant background music though, and it led me to discover the word ‘Cubop’, which is nice.

Reminds me of my grandad :)

I enjoyed a different world today.

Super fun jazz, fat horns and awesome rhythm. Really good 4.5/5

i fight gravity

Nice vibes, but I do prefer my music with some voices in them.

Just not my thing!

Alternately frantic and then mellow, this has grooves to spare. Bit of an acquired taste perhaps, but if you fancy some latin spice, this is a pretty fine place to start your exploration.

i was surprised by this, because i dont normally like jazz. this record wasnt boring, and too long, but fun and an easy listening. I give it two though because i wouldnt listen to it again.

3+

Should it be on the list? I don't know. Probably. Nice little groove though.

Where has this been my whole life? I resent that I didn't know about Machito. I may need to have words with my high school jazz band director. The horns are immaculate. The percussion precise. The groove impossible to ignore. It's joy to listen. MORE JAZZ PLEASE.

I don’t know what makes good Afro Cuban jazz into great Afro Cuban jazz. All this is listenable to me, just not something I’d go back to.

I need actual words.

An entirely instrumental album, with an influence in East African Jazz. I ended up enjoying it more than I thought I would. Favorite Track: "Blue a la Machito".

Clicked on this album link, and in 30 seconds I was thinking "this sounds like one of those Hollywood-esque big band cuban swing bands from the fifties." That seemed like a strangely retro for a Year 2000 album. But, Spotty lied. It is a competent fifties big band album, rather lacking in real African influences, but .... probably OK for your retro tiki bar.

Very fun listen. I don’t listen to much Jazz really good background music.

No

To me there's only one way to describe this, seventies movie music. When ever they wanted to add a Latin American theme to a movie in the seventies this is what they used. Nice listening, but not wat I would buy. Still worth a 3 though.

Tom and Jerry the musical

I would sooner listen to a million hours of African/Cuban Jazz than 1 minute of vanilla Country music. This music is great cheerful stuff, where you are in a world where there is no badness at all. Then it ended and back to reality (probably for the Cubans too). Well deserved fantasy 5 stars. But in the real world, a 3.

Fun jazz album, smooth listening and it was over before I knew it. I let Spotify shuffle onto related music for a while, it's a great genre for background music at work.

Take out a Cuban cigar, make yourself a Mojito or a Daiquiri, and pretend you're in a New York smoky club to attend a Son Cubano gig... Is that a cliché? It is. Just like this sort of music today, that I guess only music history tourists (and also real ones) are drawn to in 2024. I said "I guess", because in truth, I don't really know. The thing is, as broad as my tastes are (at least I'd like to think they are), I'm miles away from the target audience for this one, so I can't really write a proper review. I have a cheap Tito Puente compilation at home, but I'd be hard-pressed to quote any cut in it beyond "Oye Como Vas". It looks like someone in Dimery's team was really enamoured of Cuban sounds... Browsing through Spotify, I noticed that there is at least one other Machito album with vocals on it (including the musician's foster sister Graciela), there topped on this same sort of big brass instrumentation. Without that sort of vocal lifeline, *Kenya* is for me a much more difficult listen. I can't help feeling that this very codified music plays along some sort of pre established program, which prevents me from having any real emotional response to it. Most certainly a cultural blindspot on my part. What are you gonna do? Guess I'll have another Mojito then, and try harder not to overthink any of this... Huh. Doesn't work at all. But the Mojito feels good at least. 🫠 Going for a "neutral" grade here... Number of albums left to review: 72 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 399 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 231 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 299 (including this one)

This was a pleasant surprised, Cuban Jazz isn’t something I’m familiar with, but this went straight into my frequent rotation, just a good fun album

20 seconds in to the first song and I've added this album to my library. A great antidote to the 2000s American rock I also had on my list today. I do adore bands that sound both tight and loose 🙃 Perfect for cooking dinner on a rainy day!

Levyn avauskappalae sai karvat pystyyn, eikä siinä hyvässä mielessä. Toka raita olikin jo lepposampi ja levyn sai kuunneltua loppuun ilman kipuja. On todettava ettei eri genren jazzit vaan putoa tälle korvaparille.

Letkee setti, mut ei mullistanut mun maailmaa

Really enjoyed this. The percussion is fantastic. Expecting jazz and (for my cretin tastes) and a this blasts at you and maintains a frenetic pace throughout.

Quite a harsh listen; jazz needs to be an easier listen for my sensitive little ears.

Big jazz homie over here. This album kind of touches on it all. It has that big band sound carrying the melody, while Machito solos his way through it. Would definitely keep this cd on for like hosting folks at the house. I really feel like every song here is its own little journey. Will definitely listen to it again. Very enjoyable.

A nice vibe to the music. Something I like to have in the background, but I can’t listen to it every day.

I enjoyed it. I was hesitant to give an album like this a 4, but it was one of the few albums on the list that was over too quickly for me. This album has more structure than a lot of the instrumental albums that have been included on the list. The songs are consistent enough that I can vibe to them without it getting repetitive.

Pleasant and great for background music while getting some work done. Couldn’t tell you much more about it, but I did enjoy it.

I don't know why but the first thing that came to mind for me is that this feels like it would be in a James Bond movie where he is on a mission in the Caribbean. He would be walking around the streets in a white linen shirt as a local festival is taking place. Exotic dancers in elegant costumes dance past him as he sees the villain in the distance. He tries to get closer only for a nearby dancer to take off their mask and hit him with a blow dart knocking him unconscious. Over all I really liked it, and will keep it in mind when I'm looking to put something on in the background.

Nothing for me.

very squeeky but i could totally imagine this as a soundtrack for a movie. only because it reminded me of lalaland.

1. jungle - 4 2. congo - 1.5 3. kenya - 2 4. oyeme - 1 5. holiday - 1 6. cannon - 2 7. frenzy - 1.5 8. bluez - 2 9. converzation - 1 10. tin tin - 1.5 11. rama - 1.5 12. tururato - 1

Ah but the horns, they're blowing that sound.

HELL YEAH

Low 8 First jazz album on the generator and it’s a fun one!

Not my strong point Afro jazz but, I did enjoy listening to it whilst playing bloons tower defense 6

I've learned that I need to explore more Latin jazz music. While a lot of it ended up melding together, it was never bad and was great work music. Definitely situational for when I would listen but that doesn't take away from the quality or enjoyment.

Very cool! I had never heard an Afro-Cuban Jazz album before, but I can imagine a lot of songs that I know that draw from the source of this album. It's basically Jazz with insane Latin percussions; I loved it!

Not really my thing but it sounds clean and they’re talented.

mega fajne bębny 9/10

Interesting set of jazz numbers

How good must one be with the maracas for it to be listed under their official "instruments" section of their Wikipedia page? Seems oddly specific to me. The sax work on Congo Mulence is fantastic; whole song is a standout thus far. Tin Tin Deo is fantastic. Loving the bright trumpet soloing work. I found this to be an enjoyable listen, but I have listened to so little similar music that it really is hard for me to give a proper review.

Snazzy jazzy album. Me likey. 3.5stars

This would be perfect music to listen to in a restaurant. Fairly repetitive and easy to fade into the background. Can't deny that I enjoyed each song, but all the songs sounded pretty much the same. Another 3.

Bunch of horns all up in my earhole. Definitely regret wearing headphones for this and should have just used a speaker for background noise. Would like this album on in a restaurant, not so much in my house.

I really love the title track. Gets me groooooovin'. The sax had me moving this morning. This is between a 3-4 for me but it's beautiful out and that bumps it up.

I'm a big jazz fan but I'm generally not a fan of large ensemble/orchestra recordings. The soloists were the most interesting part for me but their time was very short. This was OK but not a flavor of jazz I would return to very often if at all.

Love it!

Pretty amazing

Not my cup of tea.

Ganz fein, teilweise mir zu unruhig...

Really surprised, really nice album to feel the vibe

To my untrained ears this just sounded like an organized mess of horns. I know I know. I’m sorry.

I had to double check what year this was made. It sounds way more modern than the 50s. Listening to instrumental music on a sunny day is refreshing, and this was no exception. Quite short though, but better than it going on forever. Highlights: Holiday Frenzy Minor Rama

I love this one! It starts relaxing, gets more stressful in between, and cools down till the end again.

Not for me 1/5

It's okay

Absolutely love the vibe of this album. Made a cocktail and cooked dinner while listening to this and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Yeah

I listened to this at work and then today when I was making lunch. It was better than I expected. Low 4.

🤷‍♀️

7/10 - It was very good. I really enjoyed listening to it. I do not have much more to say

Maybe just my mood but I was not feeling it. Just sounds like background music for a pixar movie

Good album if you're throwing a party for a bunch of highly excitable guests. Features fast tempos, with lavish use of percussion and horns. Guarantees a fun and/or interesting time for your party guests. If you're really into Latin music, it's a good album to listen to alone or with like-minded friends. Be prepared to be energized.

Fun fun fun

Not bad

Great stuff

Yeah, it's jazzy and doing it's own thing. Nothing about it appeals to me from the album artwork. But it's inoffensive to the ears.

Great horns and songs.

-this is so delightful omg. I listened to this album a couple years ago before I was really interested in jazz but holy shit I love it sm. The high energy, the cultural fusion, every single song on here is exciting af -Favorites are Wild Jungle, Congo Mulence, Kenya, and Tin Tin Deo

Afro-Cuban goodness. damn near 70 years old and pure fire!

I’m not familiar with this artist or album, not can I recall having listened to Afro-Cuban jazz before. Now that I’m close to the half-way mark on this project, I’ve reviewed a good number of jazz albums, but I honestly don’t think I know what to listen for with jazz or what makes a good jazz album. All the jazz albums I’ve reviewed have been fine, but I haven’t had much to say about them. I’m hoping this album breaks that trend. This album came up for me on a Saturday, and I got the chance to casually listen to it a couple of times as I ran some errands around town, but now on Monday, I finally had the chance to give it some proper attention, and I really enjoyed it. I don’t know if all Afro-Cuban jazz is tends to be more ‘horn-forward,’ but I really enjoyed that sound on this album. The percussion was great too, and combined with the horns, this album had a great Latin feel to it. The up-tempo songs were easily my favorite, but the slower tempo songs were great too. I still don’t ‘get jazz,’ but this was pleasant to listen to, and out of all the jazz albums I’ve listened to so far, this would be one of the first ones I’d go back to.

I feel like I should have liked this more than I did, but I found it all a little samey. Sounded good, with a nice vibe, but I don't suspect I'll return to it. Low 3.

karabískur djass. frekar skemmtilegar melódíur en einhæft. til í aðra. 3,5.