Reviews (page 8 of 9)
Svidile su mi se vise ove smooth pjesme nego ove s intenzivnim bongosima. Tako da trojka
Znači, baš sam uživao u ovom albumu na neki način. Nije čista četvorka, ali je solidno.
Fine easy going jazz. Smooth and fun.
I thought this list was mostly classic rock but turns out it is entirely jazz 2
More please!
Enjoyable at first but the horn blasts start to grate on me after awhile. Can you imagine listening to this with a hangover?
Kind of fun but gets a bit exhausting to listen as an album.
trilha sonora perfeita para filmes que se passam no caribe. boas músicas, mas não é o meu estilo, porém dá para perceber a influência que teve em sintetizar a música da região.
4/25/2022 Today's Album: "Kenya" by Machito - This album is one of afro-cuban jazz and it is done quite well. The highlights amongst these tracks stand out as amazing demonstration of jazz stylings with great representation of both African and Cuban percussion and a ton of really excellent improv performances. The others of the track list might not impress as much as the highlights, but they still do a great job as background music and the production is top notch. There's a lot to like in the instrumentation of this album and all of the horn players do a really great job with crescendos and fast stops. Some of the solos throughout the album are noticeably worse and it is a mystery to me whether or not it is intentional, but either way it just sounds less musically proficient than the others.. The mix places everything pretty much exactly where it would be in a usual jazz band, with sax in the front and trumpet blaring out from the back. I don't think there is too much to say outside of the fact that this is a really solid jazz album with a ton of personality. Give this one a listen if you like improv jazz and/or African percussion/Latin horns and you won't be disappointed. This is obviously a very talented group and I like a ton of the sounds here. Score: 8/10 Great Jazz with a few minor lacking performances Highlights: Congo Mulence, Kenya, Holiday, Cannonology, Frenzy, Blues a La Machito, Conversation, Tin Tin Deo, Minor Rama, Tururato
Dang, this album is tight! All so locked in, and there are some real complicated polyrhythms happening. It's all a bit too frenetic for my ears at the moment -- maybe after another mug of coffee? -- but I can see why this album made the list. The Wikipedia entry on Machito lists quite a few innovations this band created, and that's super cool. Jazz in the 50s. What a time!
racous crowded Mafia-style afro-cuban big band jazz. musty old-school recording feel. Somehow reminds me of the Copacabana scene from Goodfellas
This was surprisingly enjoyable, for someone who doesn't necessarily enjoy jazz. I like how each song is short and sweet, gets to the point. I will definitely be listening to the album again.
What a bucket of fun, this album! Right from Wild Jungle, I had to move along to these smooth sounds.
Pretty lame form of jazz.
Love it. Afro-Cuban jazz is fantastic. This is what this list is all about.
Very cool Latin jazz album. Not my immediate go to album, though I highly recommend checking it out.
cool
Good jazz stuff
This is one of the first jazz albums I’ve listened to all the way through, and I liked it pretty well! Percussion is really fun and the songs all groove.
This album made me realize how much I hate the big band styling of "ALRIGHT LET'S GET SOME LOUD STABS EVERYONE PLAY A DIFFERENT NOTE LET'S MAKE THE SOUND AS MUCH OF A NOISE AS POSSIBLE". It made me physically ill. I don't know if it was the mixing/recording or just something inherent to the sound of brass trumpets, but it was so bad I was dreading every time you got another one of the ELELELELE stabs. It's like they decided to turn vuvuzelas into full fledged instruments. It sucks because the percussion is great, the solo instruments are wonderful (especially the sax and trombone solos) and even the saxophones sound alright together. Fuuuuck those trumpets though. They single handedly bring this down from a solid 4/5 to a 2/5, and even that's generous. I hope I never have to hear those gross stabs again.
Nope
3.5
Once again, jazz which I have no ability to work out whether it's good or bad. Nice groove.
I felt like I was in Vegas in 1964.
Just a wonderfully arranged album, a gem.
Great band! Like a lot that latinjazz.
Love that sound
Catchy and fun. Very easy listening. I enjoyed it for what it is, but I don't think I'll be coming back to it.
Not my style at all but this was pretty fun and cinematic to me.
Like if Herb Alpert had a little different flavor. Love it. 3.5
I only got to listen to part of it rip but the ones I heard were awesome. I love music like this once in awhile but I have to be in the mood for it would be great dnd battle music for certain kinds of fights lol
Good music to cook to, but not something I'd listen too often.
Not really my style. I'm sure this album was really important and influential but I didn't really enjoy listening to it that much, and probably won't revisit it.
This must have been one of Bernstein's influences for West Side Story. Cool stuff if not what I normally listen to
Curiously fun jazz x big band stylings that grab the attention early but don't really hold it. Similarly, a strong start to the album doesn't always hold up down the line but this is a very easy listen, 3/5 from me.
This was fun, quite jolly for a few songs, but I wouldn't want a whole one! I enjoyed listening to it, very upbeat, but I'm not going to rush back to it. First track in particular has such a strong start. 2/5.
Enjoyable and glad I heard it. Cover art 3/5
5.0 - High energy, sophisticated afro-cuban jazz. Perfect for entertaining or when you need fun background music. The brass section is especially bright and the rhythms are rich.
Good album
I very fun listen! Kinda reminds me of the exotica genre that was also popular at the time, but more upbeat, more jazzy, and less cringe. Fave track - "Wild Jungle" is a great opener! "Blues / Machito" also stood out.
I want to see this band live. That horn section is only rivaled by that rhythm section. Is this what westerners call "world music" because we don't know how to differentiate music with horns and polyrhythms? I know I'm ignorant on the topic. But I also know that I love it. If I were to criticize this in compraison to the other "world music" I heard (much of it has come from this list), I'd say that there are more drum breaks here and they aren't always interesting for the duration. "Congo Mulence" and "Blues a la Machito" pure groovy goodness though. Did I mention those horns?
So, I know I am overly critical of jazz albums on here, but this one hit me different. It reminded me of the "fun" stuff we used to play in my high school jazz band. It's more structure (and less jazz), but it's good.
A fun album. I enjoyed it. I don't really listen to stuff like this but this project has taught me that maybe I should have more jazz in my life. In reality I will probably stick to a healthy diet of metal, punk and genres adjacent to them.
Good music
I listened to this whole thing, it held me in its grip the entire time and I feel like I ate a gallon of coffee. Jeezo.
Big, brassy Afro-Cuban jazz with the subtlety of a sledgehammer. Not particularly unpleasant to listen to, though some of the horn stabs could feel a bit pugnacious. Still, I doubt I will ever listen to this again - it simply failed to land with me.
Stupid storytime: I worked with a dude once who got a high-up-the-food-chain tour of one of Donald Trump's hotels in Vegas back years before Trump ever ran for office. Apparently the woman (because of course it was a woman) who was showing them around the hotel kept talking about how Donald always says, "brass + glass = class." The reason I mention it is because this record has more brass than all of Trump's property holdings combined. So, so much brass. It kind of hurt my ears. I even used to play trumpet back in middle/high school... and it still felt like, "Whoa. That's a lot of brass." I didn't hate it by any means. But it could've used a lot more glass.
1.5
pretty cool shit audio quality, 3.5
Liked this a lot. Will definitely throw this on again
A fun album. Sounds like what I imagine a supper club in Miami the 1930s-1960s to sound like. Definitely have to like brass, as there is an ample amount of trumpeting throughout.
It was good but I would probably not listen again. It’s just not a style I really dig
Did I, a non-music major who knows zero things about music theory and jazz, let alone the difference between Latin jazz, African jazz, and American jazz, appreciate Machito's landmark album that brought Latin jazz into the mainstream? Yes, I guess. And did I, a man who claims that he listens and enjoys "every genre" and is currently participating in the fun journey that is listening 1000+ albums to discover more new music, enjoyed this? I'm gonna be honest: no.
Good
I thought it was an interesting album, gave me a real 80s las vegas vibe but I didn't think it was anything too special
Like most albums that are an exercise in technical competence, it's fun, then it's trifling, then it's a little irritating, then it's over.
Je ne connaissais pas Machito et n’avait même jamais entendu son nom. J’ai bien aimé et particulièrement la prise de son.
Amazing groove
It's a lot of fun but you can't shake the feeling there is something better out there
It is definitely a jazz album. It was relatively short. It was ok.
Ich mein das ist chillig, aber da passiert halt einfach nicht so viel. Kann mich an keinen Song so wirklich erinnern, das passiert halt einfach. Klangtechnisch aber halt ganz schön. 6/10
nicht besonders schlecht... wird irgendwann langweilig (kenne mich mit big band aber überhaupt nicht aus)
War ganz Chillig aber hat mich auch auf den wenigsten Songs umgehauen. Kann ich mir aber gut für nen geselligen Abend vorstellen ist angenehm zu hören.
grauenhaft digga, was für ein furchtbar, unerträglicher und langweiliger sound, nicht mal in nem historischen kontext ist das spannend, weil davor schon so viel bessere afro-cuban jazz lps gemacht wurden
Da ich echt wenig Ahnung von Jazz habe, und auch bis ein paar Ausnahmen es auch relativ wenig höre bzw. gehört habe, muss ich echt zugeben, dass ich das Album gar nicht so richtig begreifen kann. Vor allem mit dem Hintergrund, wie einflussreich diese Band für das Genre war. Auch die Einflüsse aus Latin culture und Afro culture kommen hier auf jeden Fall durch, vor allem bei den drums, aber irgendwie hab ich das Gefühl, dass ich es nicht ordentlich wertschätzen kann. Ist vielleicht mal eine Motivation, in das Genre nochmal richtig einzutauchen. Vielleicht ists aber auch einfach nicht mein Ding und ich finde mich einfach damit, dass ich lediglich Jazz Einflüsse in anderen Genres abfeier und purer Jazz mich einfach nicht ganz so stark abholt. Möchte aber, auch wenn mich das Album jetzt nicht umgehauen hat (und das wahrscheinlich weil ichs nicht verstehe(n) (kann)), sagen, dass der Sound interessant ist und an manchen Stellen sau cool ist. Aber hab ehrlich gesagt keine Ahnung wie ich hier raten soll, weil ich nicht das Gefühl hab dass ichs wirklich bewerten kann. aber ich sag mal 2,5-3.
Boaahh also das war jetzt nicht BORING boring aber iwie so stink egal ka ob das besser ist wenn man mehr ahnung von jazz hat aber hab ich nicht deswegen geschenkt. Naja naja naja
ist mir irgendwie ganz schön egal
Weirder Pick. Ich find die Auswahl einserseits cool, anderseits weird bei der wenigen Anzahl von Jazz Alben auf der Liste. Aber cool dass es mehr ~Exotica~ einflüsse hat, da hätte man schlimmeres nehmen können. Ich bin schon Fan von so Easy Listening Samba, Bossanova, auch mit Big Band Elementen, ich finde hier fehlen nur irgendwie die richtigen Highlights. Richtig gut fand ich aber die Percussions, das war ne nette Abwechslung. Also es ist cool aber nicht WOAAAAHH und davon gibts ja irgendwie mehr als genug im Jazz. Ich empfehle Quincy Jones mit Big Jazz Bossa Nova, das ist find ich deutlich cooler in nem ähnlichen Stil.
Солидно
👌
didn’t like instrumental music
Great album to break up the monotony. Had some good times listening to this even though I have no idea what they're saying and tracks at first listen are nearly indistinguishable. This has potential and I could listen to this over and over in a setting that doesn't require me to pay attention to it.
This was enjoyable.
This great upbeat, energetic jazz. I would love to here this again when I’m in the mood for jazz. I’m not in the mood for jazz very often, which I don’t want to hold against this album. So I’m breaking my mood a bit. It’s a 3.5, but I’ll round up. I’m not putting it in my library, but I recognize the skill.
Sounds exactly like it’s name
Thoroughly enjoyed this
Really dig the variety that we get here, great background music
just fun jazz
Umm wtf is this bs
Very catchy jazz. Need to listen again. 3
Fantastic.
One of those genres I practically never listen to yet every time I do, I love it. Listened to this and then just kept listening to the mix that followed all day long. Such uplifting music
I only lasted 4 songs before I started pushing the next song button in the hope that something would be different. Two stars because the musicians played well, but it sounded like every other Latin beat piece of big band music.
increible
Loud horns smooth rhythm with high speed toe tapping beats and maracas. Whats not to like. Is this the speed metal of the 40's? Maybe, the cover art would pass.
This album is a great reminder on the impact that Louis Prima had on so many genres of music; storyteller, swing, jump blues, Orleans Jazz, pre-Rock and Roll. Most people would know his music by more recent versions by other artists, they likely would not recognize him as the voice of King Louie in the original Jungle Book and his great take on "I Wanna Be Like You". This is a compelling album and is easy to get hooked on, it puts a smile on your face and a jump in your step! Singer, songwriter, bandleader and trumpet player, he does it all. Hard to pick favorites but I will go with, "Just a Gigolo Medley", "Oh Marie", "Buena Sera", "Jump, Jive an Wail". 4 out of 5 stars
I really enjoy when this list introduces me to an album outside of the western canon, and Kenya took me off guard. Great playing, high energy, but also a little hard for me to rate, just because I'm not overly familiar with the genre. The production sometimes made it difficult to hear all of the parts, but that might have been on purpose. Fav tracks: Tin Tin Deo, Conversations, Kenya and Congo Mulence
This was a lively, groovy record, sure to get people out of their seats. I loved the early blend of big band and latin American styles. At the same time, I felt like the bombastic horns detracted from some of the nuanced playing. Rating 3.5/5 Favourite tracks: Kenya and Conversation
A surprise 5 stars for this gem on Cuban jazz. Listening to it driving on a gorgeous sunny day may have biased the final verdict, but in those circumstances it’s perfect
Excellent Afro-Cuban jazz. I could throw this on any day of the week and it will make me want to get up and dance.
Fun and ritzy, this was a welcome surprise!
Not my thing, ok though
I love, love, love this.
This music makes you feel good.
50/60s style upbeat jazz. Good but felt dated
Good background music for a party
Great for the most part, but began to get a bit irritating.
African rhythms meet big band jazz (horns) in a high-energy album. Interesting listen and historically defining album. Later combinations of African rhythmic music and jazz, e.g. Fela Kuti's afrobeat, speaks more to me though.
South American rhythms with African influences, infectious and hip, not much to say about it otherwise.
Afro-Cuban Latin Jazz. Oof. Style, panache, and now added to my collection.
Very jazzy, felt like I was in a Bond film.
Kind of passed by in the background - decent enough to work to though.
Another performer and album I'm not familiar with. That being said, it was an enjoyable listen, though I didn't love it. I really should expand my musical range and listen to more of this genre, then I might appreciate it more.
I can listen to it on the background, but this is not a music genre I like.
Wow
I did not expect this to be so amazing!
Fun, fun, fun! Packed with energy and joy. A smashing way to start a work day! Percussion is insane btw… Top tracks: Congo Mulence, Kenya
A bit distracting for background work music, but pretty good. Good coffee shop music.
4/5 nice jazz sounds!
This is actually nice classic Cuban jazz. 8/10.
Altså det her, det kan jeg bare godt lide!
lidt for hurtigt til mig
Det helt gamle latin jazz, rytmisk, improviserende, specielt, men egentlig cool nok
This was a surprisingly fun listen.
The album is peak jazz from start to finish. Not my favorite jazz album but impossible to dislike.
Megabangerzzzzzz
A straightforward, digestible kind of jazz that just sounds good. That might sound dismissive, but it’s really a treat when done well, as it is here
rätt episkt.... önskar att det var mer varierat dock.
Not bad at all for some Latin beats.
Not jazz literate enough to understand it’s significance but it’s a great listen that’s for sure - one for repeats definitely
Spicy elevator music!!
Lively and fun
Fun but not great depth or quality
LOved it. Great energy and beats. Really really good!
Really really cool jazz! I loved this album
It swings...
Not the kind of Jazz I'm into at all. I enjoy smooth and comfortable jazz, perfect for a comfy chair and a sip of whiskey. I don't enjoy this dissonant, 'jerky' and discomforting jazz.
Put this one on while making dinner. 2 thoughts: 1. It sounds like the happy party time music used in kids animated films. 2. Both Miss Nine and I thought it was one long song, rather than individual tracks. Enjoyed/tolerated it in the background. Immediately on finishing, I was unable to recall any of the melodies. Didn't dislike it, wasn't crazy about it. Smack bang on a 3.
There were a couple of songs that sounded real similar to others, not that that's necessarily a bad thing. Overall it was a nice listen with some beautiful instruments.
No puedo dejar de pensar lo actual que suena este álbum, y es de 1958. Personal: 8. Me ha gustado mucho Trascendencia: 8 Género: 10
Peppy, enjoyable music
cool run. sweet beats. didn't take anything right away from it. revisit sometime.
Very enjoyable. Unknown to me
First 50s album from 1001albumsgenerator that I listened to. I did not know this album - the beat is fine - but I would probably not listen to it again - perhaps I was not so much in the mood for it.
First album from the '50s. Lively and fun African/Latin jazz album that reminded me of '50s movies like Orson Welles' Touch of Evil and Hitchcock's Rear Window. The more jazzy parts reminded me of some of Charlie Parker's work. Best enjoyed on a hot summer night, but even on this cold November evening it lightened my mood.
So far its a BANGER. All I could ask for on a Monday. I want to be in a smokey jazz club listening live. Making eye contact with the curvy bodacious woman in the red dress across the room. This albums the closest we'll get to teleporting and time traveling.
SAMPLE THIS really great but many of the songs are very similar
Instrumental Jazz album, has a big of a "big band" vibe to it. Cuban influences are very strong, the "afro" part seems to mostly come through in the drums and the song titles. Good dinner music, or something in the background at a classy party.
Tin Tin Deo was my favorite song of this album. Each song had a lot of character to it that makes the album hard to wrap up as a whole but the brass was excellent overall. If I had to say however, each song reminds me something being done with confidence.
I’m not a huge fan of jazz.
Similar to C&W and Bob Dylan, I think at some point you reach an age when jazz becomes a genre of interest. It's there, there's a lot of it, it's been around for decades, lots of people like it, there must be something in it, right? Spending time in Japan also probably helped plant the seed as jazz is the choice of background music everywhere you go. In the last few years I've had the likes of John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk and more playing when at work. It's not a something to have purely as background noise but more for the typing groove purposes. Despite never having heard of Machito before today, I could see myself listening to this more regularly as an audio aid to pumping out a bunch of lengthy reports.
Infectious. Top flight stuff from a killer ensemble, even though Afro-Cuban jazz isn't my thing.
Oh boy, I was excited to have this one. I had not known of Machito before, so this was a new one for me and it was instant love. "Wild Jungle" came on with instant energy, immediately clearing out any sullen 90s/00s alternative cobwebs from the brain. Yeah, baby! The horns! The percussion! We are all dancing like mad! Then "Congo Mulence" comes in cooooooool. We're sitting down to sip our Cuba libres and catch our breath. I love the piano and bass to the percussion rhythms. "Holiday" with the muted trumpet makes me very happy. I laughed out loud when a song called "Frenzy" came on. It was a word that had already come to mind listening to this album. I loved "Blues a la Machito" and "Conversation" ...and all the other songs too. I also have to add that the remastered album sounded amazing. I found this joyful and fun!
Just a couple of bars in and I am in love... Big band sound with latin rhythms. After three listens, I still love this album!
Yes! I've listened three times all the way through and just started my fourth. This is exactly the kind of thing I was hoping from this project. It would never occur to me to seek out some Afro-Cuban jazz and, even if it did occur to me, I'd have no idea where to start. I love this! It's like a dance party in my kitchen. The crisp horns and percussion set my soul aflame and get my hips a-shakin'. I can't even pick any favorite tracks. I enjoyed every minute.
Holy cow! This is so much fun! At first I thought "Oh good - instrumental music to work by." That went out the window right away as "Wild Jungle" had my feet pulling me out of my chair to dance to the frenetic music. Those TPS Reports were not being well-served by KENYA. "Congo Mulence" took things down a notch, but didn't really get me back to work. Instead I just sat there swaying to the music imagining myself in a 1950s lounge drinking Pink Squirrels and Blue Hawaiians. For the rest of the album there wasn't a moment I wasn't enjoying this. I was transported elsewhere for the duration just listening, dancing and grooving. What's bad for productivity is great for my mental state. I love this album. It is so lively and the big band really swings! My only regret is I didn't get to see this performed live. Really happy this made the list!
Really enjoyed the Cuban Jazz rhythms
Reminded me of Mario Kart music.
Wow this is a really good big band jazz album. The brass is startling and sounds bright and warm at the same time. The rhythmic drive is intoxicating. Mmmm such wonderful playing. This adds another beautiful album to my collection of wonderful jazz albums of the 50s. 4.5 stars
Ganz cool! Aber Jazz immer schwer für mich!
Nicht ohne aber auch ziemlich Latino und damit für mich ziemlich anstrengend
Don’t know much of this music so hard to compare. But I enjoyed it.
7/10
Entertaining, best for a night out rather than sat in a chair at home!
I'm not much of a jazz kind of guy, but I very much enjoyed this. Every song blends well with one another, since this is purely a instrumental album in the 50s. So it makes sense. Analysing jazz... I find a bitch to do since it all sounds similar. I'd reccomend for any jazz lover out there, this is their bread and butter. I'm more of a rocker, so havn't got much to say sadly.
Sorprendido, muy alegre y la música se sigue escuchando interesante a pesar de tener más de 50 años el disco. El disco más antiguo que me ha tocado escuchar hasta el momento
afro-cuban JAZZ
so cool so funky so jazzy so good
I don’t really have the tools to rate this one in any objective way. I enjoyed it as a fun listen though.
Love it - short big band late 50s jazz. Afro rhythms. Cuban Latin jazz. Cannonball Adderley. Superb.
Ok if you’re at a Carribean (preferably Cuban) beach bar on a hot day. Otherwise, no. Couldn’t get through the entire album, so maybe i missed something. Listworthy? = ?
Fun jazz to listen through, but didn't excite me as much as Take Five.
i love it
Really nice and interesting for the most part. It just sounds too much like background music for an old cartoon show or and advert.
Not my style
I don't hate it, but it's really not my thing.
Great music......in the correct context.
3.5
Packs a lot of wallop into a brief package, though I see the objection I read in some reviews that the songs are so short that the musicians don't really have room to stretch and stand out.
Jazz met een Afrikaans tintje. Echt lollig
Good jams. This album really slaps.
Enjoyable escape from today's lyrical diarrhea. Put a little hop in my step after a lunch break listen. Really though; does anyone finish a song as strong as these guys? A true instrumental sploogefest.
Ritmo orquestal, con energía y vitalidad. Bailongo
The production on this is great, those horns sound CRISP
This is the first 50s album I got from this generator and it's overall a mixed bag. I loved the percussion playing throughout the album and it's gotten me excited for more afro-cuban beats. The problem with this album apart from the dated production is the excessive horns and no vocals. I personally don't mind instrumental music and it can be fantastic, but the horns were too loud and got annoying after a while, making the songs blend in together in a bad way. For me two stars isn't a bad album, but one I didn't like or struggled to listen throughout. I listened to another song with Graciela afterwards and it was much more of an enjoyable experience. I feel this album would be better experience live in a jazz club and dancing while being tipsy/drunk.
It's jazz. And it's pretty good.
Ok, there's a lot going on here. Definitely reminds me of those old Hollywood escapist movies. The ones The Purple Rose of Cairo celebrates. This is definitely good music, but like so many of these types of albums just don't work because this is music you'd probably go see live, not listen to in an album. What it is, is the music that used to be piped through Starbucks all day in all their locations before they went pop music. That's exactly what this is! In comparison to the Gotan Project though, this is far more enjoyable, so relatively speaking it's a 2.5/5, but I'll give it a 3.
Second listen. 4/5
Great big band jazz music heavy on percussion with cuban and Caribbean influence. Felt like a soundtrack for a three old oceans 11 or another fifties Hollywood blockbuster. Great for the background while cooking or cleaning.
-The drumming in "Frenzy" was pretty spiffy -Generally nice Jazz type stuff
The original Afro-Cuban jazz. The Wikipedia article was fascinating - Machito basically invented the 3/2 and 2/3 rhythms that make this style of music so identifiable. Interesting time capsule.
Entertaining and I like the diversity in instruments
Wow, this got me moving! Really enjoyed the amazing jazz. So much energy. Great trombone solos. A fantastic overall album. Really well recorded and mixed for the time, too.
6.4/10 Fav track: wild jungle
Enjoyed it more than I expected but not so much that I finished it.
Machito was a Latin jazz musician from Cuba who had an interest in African culture. He helped define the Afro-Cuban jazz sub-genre, and this album Kenya is a testament to that. It's jazzy, but also filled with African instruments and rhythms. I wouldn't say I liked the music, but I didn't hate it either.
Probably influential. Not for me.
Very enjoyable
Too busy for me. Like a fruit machine: too much stimulus it’s overwhelming!
Wild Jungle starts the party off right. Great trumpet tone. Kenya, Oyeme are excellent grooves. Holiday puts a smile on my face. Excellent album.
Timeless latin-jazz
Enjoyable
This album is perfect. It’s a real masterpiece. A must listen. Horns, perfection. Drums, perfection. Drama - mood - life. It makes me want to think but it also makes me want to get up and get out. Wild Jungle is the perfect opening song - what an amazing track to start your album with. Run it up the guts Machito. Top tracks: Kenya Frenzy Blues in la Machito Conversation Tin tin deo
This album made me wish I knew how to dance. Really great swinging jazz!
I dunno, felt kinda indifferent on this one. I didn't think it was bad by any means but I don't really have the frame of reference to get a sense of this album fully. On paper it's interesting; jazz mixed with african polyrhythmic percussion. But it doesn't really emotionally affect me much, which is the main thing I'm looking for in music. I'm just going to chalk it up to being a little ignorant on this sound and style of music because I could see myself trying to give it another shot at some point in the future. Maybe that's a cop out, but also this era of jazz being referenced has never really appealed to me in any way. 3 stars because *shrug*
Este tipo de jazz es bueno para una banda sonora o película pero repetitivo para escuchar, esta bien de todas formas
buen juzz
Fun!
Fast swinging basa nova jazz.
Big band Afro-Cuban jazz! Truly enjoyable.
Delightful
Unexpectedly good jazz album
Bright jazz, like the kind that blares out from the background of Cuphead levels. Sounds like lounging at the side of a Technicolor pool, in an exotic resort made of plastic. Very pleasant.
Man this was a hot fire album, i listened to this at least 10 times yesterday and added it to my library, It’s brilliant, bright, and full of life. It made me happy just having it on in my background. Top tracks: all of them honestly there was not a track i did not like, Frenzy is probably my favorite out of all them though if I had to choose one. 5/5 all the way on this album
3
! WOW. Really enjoyed.
Outside of my typical genre preference, but this was a great album!
Ya like Jazz? Thoroughly enjoyed this album. Gave me The Mask vibes. Definite boost in productivity while this was playing.
jazz instrumental stuff....not for me
lot of rythm, fun to listen to
poo poo
It was what I expected. Not bad but not my taste. Quality recording.
The sound is si relaxing, typical of Caribbean sound ❤️
Not my usual, but good
Was ok. Not my type of music but clearly talented musicians
Good if you like jazz
Feel like I should be all suited up in a smoky lounge with some dame in a red dress 💃 Not bad indeed. It's unique. Has a bit of a tribal feel to it every once in a while
Solid jazz sound!
The instrumental album without vocals. It reminds Tom&Jery soundtracks.
I enjoyed listening to this
Dope but also boring
Joyful, impressive, upbeat.
Unexpected. Brightens up even the gloomiest day!
Ok but a bit same after first few tracks.
zu stressig
Didn’t like
Good, but chaotic.
I like the genre, but this one failed to impress.
How can you not like afro cuban jazz grooves?
Not really my style, but a good listen.
Nice, easy listening.
Classic
Such a fun album! It paints a very vivid picture in my mind and brings a great mood. I love the complexity of the arrangements, the expert performances, and the great mixing. Fantastic!
Sounds like it could be modern
Different kind of vibe than I'm used to but it made for excellent work background music.
It has no lyrics. I'm not actually a fan of Jazz. It's not bad, but I wouldn't put it on myself.
Boogaloo magic
Fun good motivating background music
It's interesting that this is the first album that I had listened to in full before considering this is likely one of the least popular albums on this list. That being said, I think it definitely deserves to be on here. It's a classic afro-cuban album and has some great tracks. I'm impressed by all of the trumpet players because it sounds like 90% of the notes they play are above the staff. Sometimes it's a little abrasive mostly because the recording equipment is obviously not up to 21st century standards but generally I think the arrangements are interesting and high energy. The percussion is also incredible throughout and is certainly integral to the style. Plus there are some amazing solos like all of Cannonball Adderly's solos. There are also some beautiful melodies on songs like Kenya that are reminiscent of jazz standards. Favorite songs: Congo Mulence, Kenya, Holiday, Cannonology, Frenzy, Blues a La Machito, Conversation, Tin Tin Deo
I thought this album lacked entertaining music, which seems absurd because the whole point, I presume, is for each song to be entertaining at least in part. Some moments were fun, but all of it was a chore. I'll give some of my favorites a listen again, but I'm not sure why this was significant. Either way, I'm no big fan. This is what you recommend someone who can't stop listening to 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘊𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘖𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘋𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 and you want them to never listen to it again.
Cuban jazz. Nice!
Pretty solid album. Would listen again.
Clearly a talented and influential musician but wasn’t really feeling it and couldn’t hear beyond Jamie’s comment about it sounding like an Odeon ad
Om eoa rare reden heb ik deze plaat helemaal afgedraaid en vond ik het best leuk. Verder ga ik dit nooit meer aanzetten natuurlijk, maar blijkbaar wel leuk voor 1x.
Gezellig plaatje voor op de achtergrond, maar meer ook niet.
This reminds me of wii music and I love wii music! ❤️❤️
Ja! Het is me gelukt! Ik heb de complete 35 minuten en 44 seconden aan getoeter uit weten te zitten! Was me dat nou maar een week eerder gelukt, dan was ik ongetwijfeld voorgedragen voor een lintje.
Ik houd niet van jazz, maar wel van wereldmuziek en had daarom goede hoop. Maar helaas, ik werd gestoord van dat onrustige getoeter.
Enjoyed this album and would probably stick a couple of tunes on a summer playlist.
Al Herb and the Tiquanna Brass - esque. But I'm not sure if it's at the same level so far. @ Kenya
I enjoy this album even if it isn't music I would generally tend towards or listen to of my own volition. 7/10, but I can't award half stars, so three stars will have to do.
Nice to have something a bit different to listen to, not something I'd usually be into but I did quite like it. I bet Giles Peterson is well into this 😂 I'm astounded at how old it is. I'm sure the remastering helped, but it sounds sick! They pioneered some important technical musical advancements that had a profound and lasting impact on several genres and Afro-Cuban music in general, as well as the social/political environment surrounding it. Random observation: some parts of it sounds like a Tom & Jerry soundtrack (eg start of Holiday). 7/10
I feel like it's a victim of its own success. So pioneering and influential on certain genres that it now feels like something I've heard before. As others mention, it sounds like a soundtrack or background music, but still fun to listen to.
Good kitchen drinks vibes
Couldn’t name this or any other album in this genre. I enjoyed listening to it. Not really sure in what setting I would listen to it again.
Fun to listen to while working and enjoyed a second helping of the instrument quiz
This is an album I swear I have heard in the background of sitcoms and movies from the 70’s and 80’s. Great trumpet and bongos! Good album to use in movies to date the times to those spicy Cuban scenes.
Excellent Afro-Cuban Jazz Album. Would listen again. Great for active or passive listening. Great album to toss on to impress people with some jazz thats fun.
Party time! Never heard of Afro-Cuban Jazz before, quite a toe tapper.
enjoyable
Wow bit of a change of up- I mean who doesn't love afro-cuban Jazz? Like backgorund music from a hipster restaurant in Shoreditch. I'm a fan of Jazz music in the main and also don't mind some Cuban salsa music. Not too sure I like the two combined but its decent enough background music pottering around the Flat on Saturday morning. And at least its not Joni Mitchell.
This album is the same age as Mervyn... but it's aged so much better. I think this is my favourite to come up so far. An album that I've never heard of that actually rips start to finish.
5
Cool latin jazz album with African vibes. More latin than jazz and African
A relax song :)
Kenya by Machito (1957) In the vein (if not quite the league) of Tito Puente and Xavier Cugat, this recording is Latin (‘Afro-Cuban’) jazz—the kind of music you’d hear as background in black & white film noir detective movies in the late 1950s. Cool. No lyrics, just endless layers of semi-progressive jazz produced and arranged in the big band style. There is an under emphasis on melody in favor of the variations—yet not the sometimes incomprehensible variations of pure progressive jazz. We hear steady rhythms dominated by unadorned congas, bongo, and timbales; but the spotlight is on the horns (mostly a bouquet of trumpets, with plenty of alto sax lead licks and other woodwind color). The musicians are uniformly superb, flawlessly executing standard stylings. There are many opportunities on this album to sit back and admire the technical proficiency of band members. But the primary weakness here is a lack of variety in arrangement—Machito has a successful formula and he sticks with it, but it’s not the kind of music you’d want to listen to for hours, and it doesn’t inspire much thought (or passion, for that matter). It’s just cool. But very, very cool. This the music that rich New Yorkers paid to listen to on their summer vacations in the Catskills, spicing their evenings with formal attire and pizazz while putting down cocktails and planning God-knows-what. You know, the post-WWII ‘victory’ culture. They paid for it—we get to enjoy it. Thanks, guys. 3/5
Ten seconds in and this is already my favorite album of this journey. Not sure if I’ve listened to an album of afro-cuban Jazz except maybe Tito Puente, but I am loving it. I love the fast playing of bongos and trumpets. I also feel like this could be a worship album for the great god Damballa. What’s just as nice is that these songs are all less than three and a half minutes long. Lots of Jazz out there goes into the David Bowie range which isn’t a problem but this is a nice change of pace. These songs remind me of the late Cloris Leachman dancing with young Dewie in Malcom in the Middle. There honestly isn’t much more I can say about this album as I don’t know the vernacular for complimenting jazz. So I’ll say that I give this album three whiskeys, neat, two winks in a smoke filled dive bar, and six whistles from a mysterious sax man.
This is a tough one. I would have it on all the time as background music for all its energy. However, I wouldn't "listen" to it. Ultimately, because it's not on Amazon music, the point is moot.
Honestly, not his best.
Don't have much to say - this was a pleasant listen. I wasn't paying too close attention and 4 songs went by before I even realized that it wasn't all one long song.
I don't have anything intelligent to say about this album. It was honestly a very enjoyable listen and one I will listen to several times when I work
This was interesting and enjoyable
very nice
great Jazz album
I loved this album. You can inject big band music right into my veins
noooooooooo
Enough beats to thicken a mayo. Not heaps memorable
Pretty good background jazz. Makes me wish I had someone to go to jazz bars and dance with.
Can't go wrong with a bit of jazz. Enjoyed it.
Jazz cubano. Bien.
nice
I mean it was fine. There were a couple parts i really enjoyed. But it’s just not something I’m going to listen to again.
Very enjoyable album. Standard 4 for something I liked a lot, but didn't fall in love with.
YESSSS Finally some jazz! "Me te amo Latin jazz!" I do love me some jazz, and this is a really great album. I'm not sure I hear "Kenya" in the sound, except maybe the percussion. Definitely sounds Caribbean, like that segment in Dr. Terror's House of Horrors set in "the West Indies." In general, the fusion of Latin jazz and big band sounds always reminds me of Tito Puente, which is a great thing. The style is impeccably consistent, I felt like I was transported to another place and time for half an hour. The place? Somewhere in Cuba. The time? This website lists 2000 as the release date but that was a reissue. This came out in 1957 (before our parents were born!). The oldest album we've heard so far, but easily one of my favorites. That's how timeless this kind of music is. Favorite tracks: Wild Jungle, Cannonology, Frenzy Album art: Nothing special. Seems like a picture you'd find in a museum brochure. Granted, it's a very old album, so you have to think about how this would have been marketed at the time. I'm not sure how many Americans were interested in Latin jazz in the '50s except as some museum-like cultural curiosity. 4.5/5
loved it awesome jazz beats
This was a super fun Friday listen. At first I thought, omg I know this song. Then I listened to the second, and realised I just recognise the style of music... and they all are relatively similar. Still great though
Nice mambo-y latam vibes
Nice Music, but not my taste, good for what it is
This is fun jazz!
beats
Alright. Great background music.
I'm mostly giving props for the energy and engaging sound. The cuban influence of lots of brass and brasher jazz limits how much i want to listen to it again, but overall the african-cuban jazz sound is pretty cool.
I think this an amazing album. It was much more big band and swing than I expected, but maintained that classic afro-cuban percussion. I hope we have some more jazz albums in the future because it was a great change in pace from the rock albums. This album was fun and bombasitc. I can't think of any song I didn't like, they were all unique in their own way but thematically consistent with the rest of the album. i will definitely be listening to this one again in the future.
Very lively, these are the deeps cuts that I was looking for. Not my favorite jazz/samba album that we’ve had so far but nonetheless it’s solid.
This one is ok. I like the sharp horns mixed with the bongo style percussion. (Especially "Kenya" and "holiday" which really gets going after the mid point of the song) This is some decent backround music, for me. Can just sit back and listen or have a conversation going and not miss out on the sound
Nah
Full of bops
Good cuban thingy. I wouldn't listen to it all the time, but I've enjoeyd it. 3.5
Like a modern Perez Prado Orchestra
wasn't feeling it