TITO
PUENTE
Party At Puente's Place
Concord
Tito Puente may be gone, but he left behind
a prolific recorded legacy that will ensure that people
are listening to his music far into the foreseeable future.
Concord has reissued two Puente recordings, On Broadway
from 1983 and 1985’s Mambo Diablo under the
title Party At Puente’s Place, and as long
as these discs are on the playlist, the party will definitely
be a lively one.
On Broadway opens with “T.P.’s
Especial,” where soloists from Puente’s band
instantly distinguish themselves. Alfredo de la Fe leads
off with a violin solo that is as sharp as it is unexpected,
and Mario Rivera provides a tenor sax solo that heats things
up quite a bit. Pianist Jorge Dalto demonstrates that he
has the ability to endow his improvisations with real jazz
fire as well. The soft bolero version of Ellington’s
“Sophisticated Lady” is a fairly original take
on the composition. Puente provides some beautiful vibe
work here that lends a real air of romanticism to the proceedings.
Likewise, Toots Thielmans’ “Bluesette”
benefits from its mambo arrangement. Milton Masciemento’s
“Salt Song” alternates between an insanely fast
Latin section and a slower, more stately swing section.
Rivera once again blows some hot tenor on this one. “On
Broadway” breaks into a broad cha-cha rhythm and gives
guitarist Edgardo Miranda a chance to show off his chops.
On Broadway comes to a conclusion with “Jo-Je-Ti”
an original by Puente that breaks into an all-out Latin
jam, and a cover of Freddie Hubbard’s composition
“First Light.” An outstanding band and deft
song selection make this side, one Puente’s first
for the Concord label, one to own.
Mambo Diablo, cut two years later,
features a smaller and different band, but one that is no
less adept at providing a good time. Trumpeter Ray Gonzalez
and sax man Mario Rivera are back, as are bassist Bobby
Rodriguez and bongo player Johnny Rodriguez. The title track
is, of course, a mambo, and Puente and his rhythm section
are able to get things off to a fiery start. Next up is
a version of Paul Desmond’s “Take Five,”
which is one of the classic Puente performances from this
time. Indeed, “Take Five,” “Mambo Diablo,”
and “China” were all arranged by Puente himself,
demonstrating his ability to achieve the right sound for
any group, regardless of size. Puente hits the vibraphone
again for Billy Strayhorn’s “Lush Life,”
and eventually helps slide the song into a cha-cha mode,
with Rivera providing a solid turn on tenor. Other performances
include “Pick Yourself Up,” “Lullaby of
Birdland,” “No Pienses Asi,” Puente’s
own “China,” and Mulgrew Miller’s “Eastern
Joy Dance.”
