Tito Puente | ||
| Allmusic Biography : By virtue of his warm, flamboyant stage manner, longevity, constant touring, and appearances in the mass media, Tito Puente is probably the most beloved symbol of Latin jazz. But more than that, Puente managed to keep his music remarkably fresh over the decades; as a timbales virtuoso, he combined mastery over every rhythmic nuance with old-fashioned showmanship -- watching his eyes bug out when taking a dynamic solo was one of the great treats for Latin jazz fans. A trained musician, he was also a fine, lyrical vibraphonist, a gifted arranger, and played piano, congas, bongos, and saxophone. His appeal continues to cut across all ages and ethnic groups, helped no doubt by Santanas best-selling cover versions of "Oye Como Va" and "Para Los Rumberos" in 1970-1971, and cameo appearances on The Cosby Show in the 1980s and the film The Mambo Kings in 1992. His brand of classic salsa is generally free of dark undercurrents, radiating a joyous, compulsively danceable party atmosphere. Rooted in Spanish Harlem, of Puerto Rican descent, Puente originally intended to become a dancer but those ambitions were scotched by a torn ankle tendon suffered in an accident. At age 13, he began working in Ramon Oliveros big band as a drummer, and later he studied composing, orchestration, and piano at Juilliard and the the New York School of Music. More importantly, he played with and absorbed the influence of Machito, who was successfully fusing Latin rhythms with progressive jazz. Forming the nine-piece Piccadilly Boys in 1947 and then expanding it to a full orchestra two years later, Puente recorded for Seeco, Tico, and eventually RCA Victor, helping to fuel the mambo craze that gave him the unofficial -- and ultimately lifelong -- title "King of the Mambo," or just "El Rey." Puente also helped popularize the cha-cha during the 1950s, and he was the only non-Cuban who was invited to a government-sponsored "50 Years of Cuban Music" celebration in Cuba in 1952. Among the major-league congueros who played with the Puente band in the 50s were Mongo Santamaria, Willie Bobo, Johnny Pacheco, and Ray Barretto, which resulted in some explosive percussion shootouts. Not one to paint himself into a tight Latin music corner, Puentes range extended to big-band jazz (Puente Goes Jazz), and in the 60s, bossa nova tunes, Broadway hits, boogaloos, and pop music, although in later years he tended to stick with older Latin jazz styles that became popularly known as salsa. In 1982, he started reeling off a string of several Latin jazz albums with octets or big bands for Concord Picante that gave him greater exposure and respect in the jazz world than he ever had. An indefatigable visitor to the recording studios, Puente recorded his 100th album, The Mambo King, in 1991 amid much ceremony and affection (an all-star Latin music concert at Los Angeles Universal Amphitheatre in March 1992 commemorated the milestone), and he kept adding more titles to the tally throughout the 90s. He also appeared as a guest on innumerable albums over the years, and such jazz stars as Phil Woods, George Shearing, James Moody, Dave Valentin, and Terry Gibbs played on Puentes own later albums. Just months after accepting his fifth Grammy award, he died on June 1, 2000. Several months later, Puente was recognized at the first annual Latin Grammy Awards, winning for Best Traditional Tropical Perfomance for Mambo Birdland. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 40 Title: Cuban Carnival Released: 1956 Tracks: 11 Duration: 36:39 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Elegua Chango (05:14) 2 Cual Es La Idea (Whats The Idea) (03:21) 3 Pa Los Rumberos (For Dancers) (03:23) 4 Que Será (What Is It) (03:26) 5 Oye Mi Guaguanco (03:36) 6 Yambeque (03:47) 7 Happy Cha-Cha-Cha (02:36) 8 Mambo Buda (02:55) 9 Cha-Cha Cha De Los Pollos (Cha-Cha For Chicks) (02:49) 10 Guaguanco Margarito (03:32) 11 Cuban Fantasy (01:54) |
| Cuban Carnival : Allmusic album Review : While the music that came to be termed "salsa" originated in Cuba, Puerto Ricans have been among its strongest supporters. One New York-reared puertoriqueno who soared to the top of the salsa world in the 1950s was timbale player/vibist Tito Puente. Boasting such early Puente gems as "Cual Es La Idea," "Oye Mi Guanguanco" and "Yambecua," the exuberant, infectious Cuban Carnival is essential listening for anyone with even a casual interest in Afro-Cuban music. Many of the players Puente employs in his driving orchestra -- including Mongo Santamaria, Willie Bobo and Carlos "Patato" Valdez -- would become among the most celebrated percussionists in Latin music. Whether the style is mambo, son, cha-cha or rhumba, Cuban Carnival is outstanding from start to finish. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 40 Title: Puente in Percussion Released: 1956 Tracks: 8 Duration: 34:35 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Tito on Timbales (05:59) 2 Stick on Bongo (02:43) 3 Congo Beat (04:37) 4 Timbales Solo (03:53) 5 Four Beat Mambo (03:07) 6 Big Four (05:29) 7 Swinging Mambo (02:39) 8 Tito and Mongo on Timbales (06:05) |
| Puente in Percussion : Allmusic album Review : The first and best of Tito Puentes percussion-heavy records, Puente in Percussion absolutely sizzles, thanks in part to its roster of drum legends: Mongo Santamaria, Willie Bobo, Carlos "Patato" Valdes, and, of course, Puente himself (who appears on timbales, conga, and bongos). And even those who would normally stay away from such intense polyrhythmic music can still find a pair of masterpieces; bassist Bobby Rodriguez lends his groove to the quartet on a pair of highlights, "Four Beat Mambo" and "The Big Four." | ||
 | Album: 3 of 40 Title: Dance Mania Released: 1958 Tracks: 12 Duration: 38:28 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples AlbumCover | 1 El cayuco (02:36) 2 Complicación (03:22) 3 3-D Mambo (02:24) 4 Liego Mijan (03:13) 5 Cuando te vea (04:14) 6 Hong Kong Mambo (03:47) 7 Mambo gozón (02:46) 8 Mi chiquita quiere Bembe (03:56) 9 Varsity Drag (02:51) 10 Estoy siempre junto a ti (03:12) 11 Agua limpia todo (02:55) 12 Saca tu mujer (03:06) |
 | Album: 4 of 40 Title: Mucho Cha-Cha Released: 1959 Tracks: 12 Duration: 33:05 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Cha-Con-Cha (03:04) 2 Suave Asi (02:31) 3 Un Cha Cha (02:24) 4 Campanitad de Cristal (03:02) 5 El Bajo (03:19) 6 Cha-Cha-Son (03:04) 7 Cha-Cha-Gua (02:49) 8 Delisse (02:15) 9 El Palo (02:46) 10 Doing the Cha-Cha (02:39) 11 Chanchulla (02:30) 12 Guataca (02:37) |
| Mucho Cha-Cha : Allmusic album Review : Though generally slower and more languid than the high-octane mambo that typified the Latin dance craze of the 1950s, cha-cha was a staple in the repertoire of many Latin bands at the time. The great Tito Puente was no exception, and MUCHO CHA-CHA brings together some of Puentes best work in this vein. Cha-chas are by no means ballads--their tempos, while not frenetic, are still infectious, building on mid-tempo, sexy grooves with more slink and sway than your average mambo. The tunes on MUCHO CHA-CHA (most of which were penned by Puente) are led by bright, brassy horn lines with a burbling undercurrent of polyrhythms moving things along. Puentes late-50s band (the tracks here are culled from session cut in 56 and 59) was one of his best, and featured luminaries such as conguero Mongo Santamaria, bongo player Willie Bobo, and Cuban percussionist Ray Barretto. This is a charming set of classic late-50s Latin jazz with strong tunes, brilliant arrangements, and excellent playing (despite a crack session team, Puentes timbales are not to be outdone). New digital sound, remastered directly from the analog tapes, is an added bonus. | ||
 | Album: 5 of 40 Title: Cuba y Puerto Rico son... Released: 1965 Tracks: 12 Duration: 35:57 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 La guarachera (02:45) 2 Mi desesperación (03:14) 3 La plena bomba me llama (02:50) 4 Desencanto (04:12) 5 Cumbiando (02:33) 6 Tinicue (03:05) 7 No hay amigos (02:56) 8 Me acuerdo de ti (04:05) 9 No juegue con el Diablo (02:48) 10 Herencia gitana (03:11) 11 La rueda (02:03) 12 Salve pati (02:12) |
| Cuba y Puerto Rico son... : Allmusic album Review : Although theyd appeared together several times, this was the first time that Celia Cruz and Tito Puente had been featured together on an LP, and fortunately not the last. Cuba y Puerto Rico Son… has firepower like no listener could have expected, despite the fact that two of Latin musics most explosive artists were headlining an LP. All of the major Cuban and Puerto Rican forms are heard, from the opening mambo ("La Guarachera," with no holds barred) to bomba (the equally frenetic "La Plena Bomba Me Llama"), and a softer detour into bolero for "Desencanto." (Celia even sang a sultry pop number for "Mi Desesperacion.") Puentes orchestra is in prime form, and he provides all the arrangements, while Cruz ably matches the band for energy. An outing remarkably free of salsa, Cuba y Puerto Rico Son… covers nearly every popular Latin rhythm and remains one of the high points in each artists nearly incomparable discographies. | ||
 | Album: 6 of 40 Title: The King Released: 1968 Tracks: 10 Duration: 32:56 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Fiesta con Puente (02:53) 2 TPs Shing-a-Ling (02:50) 3 Guaguanco Margarito (03:18) 4 It Was Love (Fue amor) (03:23) 5 Safari (05:06) 6 TP Treat (03:57) 7 Pata Pata (03:15) 8 Erasmo el loco (02:47) 9 Sing-a Tin Tin (02:14) 10 Ta contento el pueblo (03:13) |
| The King : Allmusic album Review : With a title like The King, you can expect ten great tracks. With superb material and performances by Santos Colon, Andy Senatore, and Rudy Calzado, as well as one top instrumental ("Safari"), El Rey is possibly the king of Puente albums on Tico. Three are originals, and two are by Bobby Marin, but all feature the great arranging talent of Puente. "It Was Love" is a swinging ballad, and the mod excursion "Safari" is topped off by a sax-anticipating Harlem River Drive. "T.P. Treat," the second great Senatore song, is a wild "scat" boogaloo, and, of course, "Pata Pata" was obligatory in the boogaloo era. "Erasmo el Loco" keeps the crazy party going while taking a brief step back from the mainstream. "Shing-a-Tin Tin" is final proof that Puente can cut as good a boogaloo album as anyone. That may not be saying much, and indeed El Rey does not say much, but it sure feels good, and thats the point. | ||
 | Album: 7 of 40 Title: Puente Now! Released: 1969 Tracks: 11 Duration: 35:06 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Guarija Flute (03:19) 2 Ojos Negras (02:55) 3 Carnival (04:35) 4 Pajaro Cho Gui (03:27) 5 Ah-Vah (03:06) 6 Baila Pachanga (03:00) 7 Midnight Sun (03:15) 8 Ven Morena (02:55) 9 April in Paris (02:43) 10 Negra Bon Bon (03:17) 11 T.P. on the Strip (02:34) |
 | Album: 8 of 40 Title: Para los rumberos Released: 1972 Tracks: 10 Duration: 36:50 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Para los rumberos (04:03) 2 Niña y señora (04:26) 3 Guayaba (02:35) 4 Ya no me quieres (03:44) 5 Días en el Palladium (03:12) 6 Salsa y sabor (03:01) 7 China (02:55) 8 Batuka (03:20) 9 Contentoso (03:48) 10 El catire (05:42) |
 | Album: 9 of 40 Title: La pareja Released: 1978 Tracks: 8 Duration: 33:58 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Dile que venga (03:32) 2 Pobre de mí (03:42) 3 No me importa (04:06) 4 Calumbo (03:59) 5 La lloradora (04:47) 6 Porque así tenia que ser (04:36) 7 Como un gorrión (04:03) 8 Amor verdadero (05:10) |
 | Album: 10 of 40 Title: Homenaje a Beny Released: 1978 Tracks: 10 Duration: 35:54 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Que Bueno Baila Usted (04:12) 2 Yiri Yiri Bon (03:18) 3 Bonito Y Sabroso (03:39) 4 Dolor Y Perdon (02:29) 5 Se Me Cayo El Tabaco (03:51) 6 Encantado De La Vida (03:01) 7 Francisco Guayabal (03:44) 8 Baila Mi Son (03:19) 9 Camerera Del Amor (03:45) 10 Santa Isabel De Las Lajas (04:34) |
 | Album: 11 of 40 Title: Mambo Diablo Released: 1985 Tracks: 8 Duration: 40:41 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Mambo Diablo (04:14) 2 Take Five (06:05) 3 Lush Life (05:43) 4 Pick Yourself Up (05:30) 5 Lullaby of Birdland (04:20) 6 No Pienses Asi (03:56) 7 China (04:57) 8 Eastern Joy Dance (05:53) |
 | Album: 12 of 40 Title: Un poco loco Released: 1987 Tracks: 10 Duration: 48:43 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Un poco loco (05:34) 2 Swinging Shepherd Blues (Goes Latin) (05:10) 3 Alma con alma (05:08) 4 El timbalón (02:55) 5 Chang (04:27) 6 Machito Forever (06:03) 7 Prelude to a Kiss (05:26) 8 Killer Joe (05:40) 9 Triton (05:51) 10 Alluya (02:26) |
| Un poco loco : Allmusic album Review : For his 97th recording as a leader, instead of welcoming a guest to his Concord Picante date as he usually did during this era, Tito Puente augments his octet on a few selections with a full big band. Puente, who solos on timbales, marimba, vibes and the timbalito, performs a wide-ranging set that perfectly combines bop-oriented jazz with heated Latin music. Among the many highlights are Bud Powells "Un Poco Loco" (a natural to be turned into Afro-Cuban jazz), his own "Machito Forever," "Killer Joe" and "Swinging Shepherd Blues (Goes Latin)." A strong effort which, as with all of Tito Puentes Concord Picante recordings, is easily recommended to fans of the style. | ||
 | Album: 13 of 40 Title: Salsa Meets Jazz Released: 1988 Tracks: 9 Duration: 43:12 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Corner Pocket (04:25) 2 Salsa Caliente (03:21) 3 Consternation (04:09) 4 Pannonica (07:20) 5 Carioca (03:54) 6 Guajira Soul (03:32) 7 Repetition (05:33) 8 Cariñoso (05:28) 9 Con Alma (05:30) |
| Salsa Meets Jazz : Allmusic album Review : For this particular Tito Puente recording, his exciting three-horn, three-percussion Latin jazz octet (which includes longtime saxophone soloist Mario Rivera) is joined by alto great Phil Woods on three of the eight selections, including Thelonious Monks "Pannonica" and "Repetition." Such songs as "Corner Pocket," "Carioca" and Dizzy Gillespies "Con Alma" sound perfectly natural in this Afro-Cuban jazz setting, and Puente (well featured on vibes and timbales) is responsible for two originals and seven of the nine arrangements. The music is danceable, adventurous and quite fun. | ||
 | Album: 14 of 40 Title: Tito Puente Swings - The Exciting La Lupe Sings Released: 1990 Tracks: 12 Duration: 35:55 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Todo (02:09) 2 Yo no lloro mas (03:06) 3 Bomba na ma (02:52) 4 Adiós (02:58) 5 Menealo (Tiene la azucar abajo) (03:12) 6 Homenaje a Juan Vincente (02:47) 7 Jala jala (02:22) 8 María dolores (03:52) 9 Mi socio (02:42) 10 Que te pedí (04:23) 11 Junto a tí (03:17) 12 Elube chango (02:10) |
 | Album: 15 of 40 Title: Out of This World Released: 1991-04-25 Tracks: 9 Duration: 47:42 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Descarga (03:08) 2 In Walked Bud (04:50) 3 Sweet Georgia Brown (04:38) 4 Amanecer Guajira (05:54) 5 S Wonderful (05:23) 6 Lucky Dog (02:50) 7 Out of This World (08:47) 8 Along Came Betty (05:30) 9 Latin Percussion Summit (06:39) |
| Out of This World : Allmusic album Review : The music on Out of This World is consistently exciting, a very winning blend of bop-oriented jazz and Latin rhythms. Among the key players are trumpeter Charlie Sepulveda, trombonist Papo Vazquez, Mario Rivera on tenor, and no less than four Rodriguezes (bassist Bobby, trumpeter Piro, John on bongos, and Jose on chekere). Among the most memorable performances are Thelonious Monks "In Walked Bud," a Latinized "S Wonderful," "Descarga," "Amanecer Guajira," and "Latin Percussion Summit." Highly recommended and probably the most rewarding in Tito Puentes long string of Concord Picante recordings. | ||
 | Album: 16 of 40 Title: Top Percussion Released: 1992 Tracks: 12 Duration: 47:08 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Eleguara (02:58) 2 Bragada (03:32) 3 Obatalá Yeza (03:21) 4 Alaumba Chemaché (02:50) 5 Oguere Madeo (03:54) 6 Obaricoso (03:42) 7 Four by Two (part 1) (02:40) 8 Conga Alegre (02:39) 9 Ti mon bo (06:35) 10 Mon Ti (04:42) 11 Hot Timbales (02:57) 12 Night Ritual (07:13) |
| Top Percussion : Allmusic album Review : A stunner from Puentes golden age, this 1957 recording brought together Tito, Mongo, Willie Bobo, Aguabella, and Julito Collazo on percussion with vocalists that included Mercedita Valdez, in seven wonderful cuts of traditional and (then) contemporary Afro-Cuban skin-on-skin. Then as an unexpected gift, there is a seven-minute Latin-jazz suite featuring Puentes considerable jazz-arranger head and a powerful band with Doc Severinson on lead trumpet. | ||
 | Album: 17 of 40 Title: Mambo of the Times Released: 1992 Tracks: 10 Duration: 47:35 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Things to Come (05:56) 2 Jitterbug Waltz (07:19) 3 Mambo King (03:15) 4 Passion Flower (05:19) 5 Baqueteo (03:54) 6 Japan Mambo (03:24) 7 Mambo of the Times (03:32) 8 If You Could See Me Now (06:33) 9 The Best Is Yet to Come (04:26) 10 El Titon (03:53) |
| Mambo of the Times : Allmusic album Review : Through his consistently infectious series of recordings for Concord Picante, Tito Puente reinforced his position as one of the most important leaders of Latin jazz. On this CD (which is exciting, danceable and quite surprising within the boundaries of the genre), Puente and his 11-piece unit (which includes trumpeter Charlie Sepulveda and tenorman Mario Rivera) play at their best. "Things to Come" is a strong opener, Fats Wallers "Jitterbug Waltz" gets an off-the-wall but successful transforation and even "Passion Flower" and "If You Could See Me Now" (neither of which would normally be thought of in this context) work well. All five horns have their opportunites to star (the flute tradeoff on "The Best Is Yet to Come" is impressive) and the rhythm section shows that it can compete favorably with that of any other Latin band. Other than the remarkably juvenile liner notes from jazz wannabee Bill Cosby, this is a highly recommended set. | ||
 | Album: 18 of 40 Title: Puente Goes Jazz Released: 1993 Tracks: 10 Duration: 37:13 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 What Is This Thing Called Love (03:26) 2 Tiny-Not Ghengis (02:52) 3 What Are You Doin, Honey? (02:49) 4 Lotus Land (04:55) 5 Lucky Dog (03:25) 6 Birdland After Dark (04:39) 7 Thats a Puente (02:34) 8 Yesterdays (04:39) 9 Terry Cloth (04:59) 10 Titoin (02:55) |
| Puente Goes Jazz : Allmusic album Review : One of Tito Puentes earliest jazz-oriented dates, this set (reissued on a 1993 Bluebird CD) matches Puente (doubling on vibes and timbales) with a big band and the bongos of William Correa. The music (mostly obscure originals plus three standards) swings, and although none of the sidemen became household names, (best-known is altoist Dave Schildkraut), the musicianship is fine. Actually, more notable than the fairly conventional music are two of the song titles: "Tiny Not Ghengis (Kahn)" and "Thats A Puente!" | ||
 | Album: 19 of 40 Title: Royal T Released: 1993 Tracks: 10 Duration: 59:42 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Donna Lee (04:36) 2 Tokyo Blues (05:18) 3 Virgo (07:12) 4 Moanin (07:26) 5 Stompin at the Savoy (04:55) 6 Encuentro (07:29) 7 Mambo Gallego (05:11) 8 Second Wind (06:09) 9 Royal T (03:48) 10 Slam Bam (07:33) |
| Royal T : Allmusic album Review : Tito Puente has long championed Latin-jazz, a combination of Latin percussion and rhythms with bebop-oriented jazz. This release from the Concord Picante label serves as a perfect introduction to his music. For this date Puente (who performs on timbales and marimba) uses six horns, piano, bass, synthesizer and three other percussionists to play everything from "Donna Lee" and "Stompin at the Savoy" to his own exotic originals. Soloists include the many reeds (including piccolo) of Mario Rivera, trumpeter Tony Lujan, trombonist Art Velasco and of course the percussion section. One of Tito Puentes better recordings of recent times. | ||
 | Album: 20 of 40 Title: Master Timbalero Released: 1994 Tracks: 12 Duration: 57:33 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Old Arrival (05:10) 2 Enchantment (04:48) 3 Sakura Sakura (Cherry Blossom Nova) (05:11) 4 Azu Ki Ki (05:15) 5 Espresso Por Favor (06:05) 6 Nostalgia In Times Square (06:26) 7 Chow Mein (03:24) 8 Crème de Menthe (03:35) 9 Sun Goddess (07:27) 10 Vaya Puente (03:45) 11 Master Timbalero (02:38) 12 Bloomdido (03:43) |
| Master Timbalero : Allmusic album Review : Tito Puente leads a larger band than usual on Master Timbalero, a 13-piece orchestra that includes seven horns (including trumpeter Ray Vega; Mario Rivera on tenor, soprano, and flute; and Bobby Porcelli on soprano, alto, and baritone) and four percussionists. Throughout the colorful set, Puente shows that practically any song (including the traditional Japanese melody "Sakura Sakura," Charles Mingus "Nostalgia in Times Square," and Maurice Whites "Sun Goddess") can be turned into exciting Latin jazz. A consistently stimulating and stirring effort by a true master timbalero. | ||
 | Album: 21 of 40 Title: Oye como va Released: 1994 Tracks: 18 Duration: 1:02:02 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Oye como va (04:37) 2 Cao cao mani picao (03:03) 3 El cayuco (02:39) 4 Varsity Drag (02:55) 5 Mamá Inez (02:26) 6 Carioca (02:56) 7 Que será (03:29) 8 Mambo gozón (02:51) 9 Pa los rumberos (03:27) 10 El bajo (03:23) 11 Yambeque (03:50) 12 New Cha-Cha (03:06) 13 Mambo Beat (04:12) 14 Cha-cha-chá de los pollos (02:52) 15 Hong Kong Mambo (03:50) 16 Oye mi guaguanco (03:39) 17 Guaguancó Margarito (03:35) 18 Elegua Changó (05:12) |
 | Album: 22 of 40 Title: More Mambo on Broadway Released: 1995 Tracks: 16 Duration: 59:09 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Ojos negros (02:52) 2 Trátame como soy (05:52) 3 Oh! Vida (03:42) 4 Nena me muero (03:59) 5 Mi chiquita quiere guarachar (03:37) 6 Guaguanco Arsenio (04:14) 7 Negro de sociedad (03:56) 8 Salsarengue (03:04) 9 Africa linda (04:36) 10 Imagenes (03:18) 11 Magia negra (02:01) 12 Apoyate en mí (05:20) 13 De mí para ti (03:19) 14 Bonito y sabroso (03:43) 15 Dolor y perdón (02:30) 16 Encantado de la vida (02:59) |
 | Album: 23 of 40 Title: Special Delivery Released: 1996 Tracks: 11 Duration: 57:07 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Be-Bop (04:45) 2 Misterioso (04:51) 3 Point East Memories (05:38) 4 Stablemates (05:39) 5 On Green Dolphin Street (07:01) 6 Autumn In Rome (03:59) 7 Venus de Milo (03:36) 8 Titos Colada (03:42) 9 Barbara (07:51) 10 Where You At? (04:25) 11 Flying Home (05:40) |
| Special Delivery : Allmusic album Review : Tito Puente, the godfather of Latin jazz, celebrated 50 years in music with this sizzling CD. "Be-Bop" is launched with a duel between trumpeters Bobby Shew and Maynard Ferguson. Underrated alto saxophonist Bobby Porcelli and tenorman Mario Rivera make this version of "Stablemates" a keeper. The rarely heard "Venus De Milo" is revived with a warm tribute to composer Gerry Mulligan by baritone saxophonist Mitch Forman. Special Delivery is big-band Latin jazz at its best. | ||
 | Album: 24 of 40 Title: The Mambo King: 100th LP Released: 1996-05-21 Tracks: 10 Duration: 51:45 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Hay que trabajar (05:46) 2 Envuélvete conmigo (04:33) 3 Déjame soñar (05:01) 4 Salsumba (04:11) 5 Celia y Tito (05:58) 6 Nuestro amor (04:24) 7 El bribón del aguacero (04:41) 8 Son con son (05:14) 9 Bolero medley: Tus ojos / Mírame más / Ay cariño (05:56) 10 El #100 (05:58) |
| The Mambo King: 100th LP : Allmusic album Review : Puentes 100th album is a celebration of that fact, with a procession of vocalists, most of whom -- like Celia Cruz -- were professionally associated with him at one time or another. That doesnt make for a very tight concept, but recordings by musicians of his generation didnt have concepts, they had music. So does this one, including a minor riot with Celia Cruz riding a big, burly mambo arrangement by a band full of just everybody, and a wonderful "El Bribon del Aguacero" with Chocolate Armenteros on trumpet. | ||
 | Album: 25 of 40 Title: Tito Meets Machito: The Mambo Kings Released: 1997-05-20 Tracks: 20 Duration: 58:41 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Mamboscope (02:25) 2 Arrollando (02:47) 3 Relax and Mambo (03:08) 4 Pito Joe (02:35) 5 Te He Venido a Buscar (03:06) 6 Friquilandia (02:49) 7 Sentimental Mambo (03:02) 8 El Yoyo (02:59) 9 Que Bonito Es Puerto Rico (02:59) 10 Por Tu Amor (03:12) 11 Feeding the Chickens (03:15) 12 Caravan (03:09) 13 Consternacion (02:43) 14 The Donkey Serenade (03:17) 15 Adivinanza (03:05) 16 Ricci, Ricci (02:44) 17 El Jamaiquino (02:56) 18 Undecided (02:24) 19 Me Miraste y Te Mire (03:04) 20 Plaza Stomp (02:53) |
 | Album: 26 of 40 Title: The Concord Jazz Heritage Series Released: 1998 Tracks: 12 Duration: 1:02:37 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Airegin (04:13) 2 Lullaby of Birdland (04:17) 3 On Broadway (08:03) 4 On Green Dolphin Street (06:59) 5 Prelude to a Kiss (05:23) 6 Donna Lee (04:34) 7 Consternation (04:09) 8 Jordu (03:34) 9 If You Could See Me Now (06:33) 10 Lucky Dog (02:50) 11 Killer Joe (05:37) 12 Nostalgia on Times Square (06:20) |
| The Concord Jazz Heritage Series : Allmusic album Review : During the period covered by this 1998 sampler CD, Tito Puente had a series of very strong Latin jazz bands, much more jazz-oriented than most of his earlier work. In fact, other than his own "Lucky Dog," all dozen selections on this retrospective are jazz standards, including "Airegin," "On Broadway," "Donna Lee," "Jordu," and "Killer Joe." In addition to Puentes regular band, there are guest appearances by George Shearing (on "Lullaby of Birdland"), Maynard Ferguson, Phil Woods, and Terry Gibbs included on this worthwhile overview. | ||
 | Album: 27 of 40 Title: Night Beat Released: 1998 Tracks: 11 Duration: 36:35 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Night Beat (02:57) 2 Mambo Beat (04:10) 3 Sea Breeze (03:20) 4 Emerald Beach (03:32) 5 The Late, Late Scene (02:53) 6 Carioca (02:16) 7 Night Ritual (07:15) 8 Malibu Beat (02:29) 9 Flying Down to Rio (02:20) 10 Night Hawk (02:32) 11 Live a Little (02:51) |
 | Album: 28 of 40 Title: Mambo Birdland Released: 1999 Tracks: 11 Duration: 1:16:37 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Mambo Birdland (06:47) 2 Juventud del presente (06:06) 3 Ban Ban Quere (06:03) 4 Como está Miguel (06:09) 5 Cha Cha Cha Mambo (09:43) 6 Guaguancó Margarito (07:58) 7 Mi mamita (06:57) 8 Mambo Gozón (05:34) 9 Oye mi Guaguancó (08:20) 10 Ran Kan Kan (07:04) 11 Oye como va (05:50) |
| Mambo Birdland : Allmusic album Review : On this Grammy-winning CD, Puente and a 20-piece big band unleash a fiery live set at Birdland in New York City. The band is loaded with such all-stars as saxophonists Peter Yellin and Mitch Frohman, the equally legendary sax/flute master Mario Rivera, trumpeter Ray Vega, pianist Sonny Bravo, conga vet Jose Madera, bongo/conga man John Rodriguez, Jr., and lead vocalist Frankie Morales, among others. Puentes writing prowess is on display on seven of the 11 cuts. A wild combination of unison and counterpointed horns with churning rhythm informs the Puente-penned title track. Group vocals and swirling horns cement the guaguanco-based "Juventud del Presente," one of two pieces written by Silvestre Mendez. "Ban Ban Quere" is a famous Latin-jazz standard, done here in swift rumba mode featuring Bravos deft montuno and off-tune coro. A quick tempo and steady, slow beat drive "Como Esta Miguel," which features a fine trombone solo from J.P. Torres. Riveras immortal flute gives off a strong, steady vibe that the band picks up on for "Cha Cha Cha Mambo." The other Mendez track, "Guaguanco Margarito," is flavored by bata drums, and "Mi Mambia" features a group chorus in full bloom. The ultra-hot Puente chart "Mambo Gozon" is spurred by bubbling percussion led by Rodriguez and Tito on timbales (which he plays exclusively for this performance), while "Oye Mi Guaguanco" uses vocals and horns trading eights, then fours, in the initial melody lines. The set ends with two classics: "Ran Kan Kan" has feverish horns, jubilant singing, and a hefty timbale solo, while "Oye Como Va" is spiced with Riveras brilliant flute accents. Puente has put out more than 100 recordings over his long career, but in little over an hour, this skillfully edited live session manages to capture the essence of that huge repertoire and get to the pure root of Latin jazz. Highly recommended. | ||
 | Album: 29 of 40 Title: Latin Flight Released: 1999-09-28 Tracks: 13 Duration: 40:10 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Latin Flight (02:01) 2 New Cha-Cha (03:01) 3 Mambo Herd (02:38) 4 Tito Meets Woody (02:36) 5 Cha Cha Chick (02:59) 6 Blue Gardenia (03:05) 7 Prelude a la Cha Cha (03:30) 8 Its Coolin Time (04:15) 9 Black Orchid (02:30) 10 Original No. 2 (03:05) 11 Sinbad the Sailor (04:00) 12 Mambo Bambo (03:15) 13 Fire Island (03:15) |
 | Album: 30 of 40 Title: Masterpiece / Obra maestra Released: 2000 Tracks: 12 Duration: 1:02:39 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 La última copa (05:09) 2 Muddys Club Blues in Weinhelm (03:24) 3 Cielito lindo, La negra mariachi medley (05:03) 4 Marchando bien (04:14) 5 Picadillo Jam (05:17) 6 El puente mundial (05:50) 7 El beso (06:25) 8 El bochinche (04:19) 9 Enséñame tú, Piénsalo bien bolero medley (06:45) 10 París mambo (04:12) 11 Yambu pa Inglaterra (03:56) 12 Itutu aché (08:01) |
 | Album: 31 of 40 Title: Party with Puente! Released: 2000 Tracks: 11 Duration: 56:23 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Descarga (03:09) 2 Oye Como Va (05:51) 3 Take Five (06:03) 4 Killer Joe (05:38) 5 Ran Kan Kan (05:17) 6 Guajira Soul (03:34) 7 Salsa Caliente (03:21) 8 On Broadway (08:07) 9 Lambada Timbales (04:12) 10 Azu Ki Ki (05:11) 11 Things To Come (05:53) |
 | Album: 32 of 40 Title: El Rey (The King) / Palante! Straight Released: 2001 Tracks: 20 Duration: 1:11:49 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Fiesta con Puente (02:53) 2 TPs Shing-A-Ling (02:49) 3 Guaguanco Margarito (03:17) 4 It Was Love (03:25) 5 Safari (05:05) 6 TP Treat (03:54) 7 Pata pata (03:14) 8 Erasmo el loco (02:48) 9 Shing-A-Tin Tin (02:16) 10 ta contento el pueblo (03:15) 11 Palante (03:50) 12 No voy a la luna (04:40) 13 No puerdo ser feliz (04:01) 14 Hit the Bongo (03:34) 15 Araguita (03:05) 16 Linda paloma (05:09) 17 Mi jevita (03:23) 18 Nuestra canción (04:04) 19 Watchit (03:13) 20 Cuero (03:45) |
 | Album: 33 of 40 Title: El timbal Released: 2002 Tracks: 25 Duration: 1:15:03 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Mambo la roca (02:36) 2 Lo dicen todos (03:18) 3 Babaratiri (03:03) 4 A burujón punao (03:13) 5 Babalagua (02:51) 6 Mambo macoco (02:57) 7 Mambolero (02:51) 8 Cuban Mambo (03:08) 9 Cuban Cutie (02:57) 10 Mi guaguancó (02:49) 11 El timbal (03:07) 12 Abaniquito (02:49) 13 Baila Simón (03:02) 14 Quiero mi tambo (03:03) 15 Mambo en blues (03:17) 16 Ta bueno pa baila (02:46) 17 Aprieta el pollo (03:15) 18 Guaguancó en tropicana (03:31) 19 Cuero na ma (03:06) 20 Preparen candela (02:54) 21 Baile mi mambo (03:06) 22 Nuevo mambo (02:40) 23 Pito Joe (02:35) 24 Plaza Stomp (02:53) 25 Donkey Serenade (03:15) |
 | Album: 34 of 40 Title: Carnaval de éxitos Released: 2002 Tracks: 12 Duration: 58:44 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Hay que trabajar (05:46) 2 Salsumba (04:09) 3 Oye como va (06:30) 4 Celia y Tito (05:58) 5 Nuestro amor (04:25) 6 Son con son (Da la luz) (05:14) 7 El #100 (05:59) 8 Para los rumberos (03:24) 9 Jazzin (05:31) 10 Ran kan kan (03:10) 11 La última copa (05:11) 12 Mambo sentimental (03:27) |
 | Album: 35 of 40 Title: Lets Cha-Cha With Tito Puente And His Orchestra Released: 2003 Tracks: 13 Duration: 40:22 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Lindo Cha-Cha (02:56) 2 Its The Bururu (Dame el Bururu) (03:24) 3 Vibe Guajira (Guajira en vibrafono) (02:21) 4 Lets Cha-Cha (02:44) 5 Ki-Ku-Ki-Kan (03:14) 6 Habanero (03:04) 7 Just For You (03:00) 8 Cha-Cha Fiesta (02:50) 9 Cha Charuagao (02:21) 10 You Are An Angel (02:42) 11 Guaririambo (03:27) 12 Cubarama (04:18) 13 Así Es Como Era (Malibú) (03:56) |
 | Album: 36 of 40 Title: Be Mine Tonight Released: 2003 Tracks: 12 Duration: 34:00 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Pan, Amore Y Cha Cha Cha (02:19) 2 Take It Easy (03:25) 3 Noche De Ronda (Be Mine Tonight) (04:00) 4 Too Marvelous For Words (02:29) 5 Nightingale (02:40) 6 Oyeme Mama (02:22) 7 Whatever Lola Wants (02:33) 8 Arrivederci Roma (03:19) 9 Green Eyes (02:51) 10 Anna (02:31) 11 The River Seine (02:52) 12 Babalu (02:32) |
 | Album: 37 of 40 Title: Hermans Heat & Puentes Beat Released: 2005 Tracks: 18 Duration: 57:10 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Blue Station (03:08) 2 Pillar to Post (02:31) 3 Midnight Sun (04:17) 4 Woodchoppers Ball (04:33) 5 Balu (03:09) 6 Lullaby of Birdland (02:36) 7 Latin Flight (02:03) 8 New Cha Cha (03:03) 9 Mambo Herd (02:38) 10 Cha-Cha Chick (03:02) 11 Tito Meets Woody (02:38) 12 Carioca (02:55) 13 Wildroot (04:04) 14 The Good Earth (03:10) 15 Its Coolin Time (03:19) 16 Black Orchid (03:19) 17 Sinbad the Sailor (02:40) 18 Fire Island (04:05) |
| Herman's Heat & Puente's Beat : Allmusic album Review : Tito Puente and Woody Herman teamed in 1958 for a mutually satisfying meeting in the same way that Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Machito found common ground in the late 40s. Puentes Latin rhythms and beats meshed with the swing and bebop of Hermans band on half of the discs cuts, and the results were hot and delightful. With Puente heading the rhythm section and playing timbales, Robert Rodriguez on bass, and assorted percussion from Gilbert Lopez, Raymond Rodriquez, and Ray Barretto, the band stays locked into the Latin groove while the saxophonists and trumpeters weave in, out, and around the beat. There are also more conventional Herman swing numbers such as "Blue Station" and "Woodchoppers Ball," where the standard Herman stomping sound is in effect. | ||
 | Album: 38 of 40 Title: Tito Puente and His Concert Orchestra Released: 2006 Tracks: 10 Duration: 35:55 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 El Rey Del Timbal (03:14) 2 Mambo Diablo (05:07) 3 Ah! Ah! (03:12) 4 Last Tango in Paris (02:45) 5 Ritual Fire Dance (04:23) 6 110th Street and 5th Avenue (02:45) 7 Black Brothers (04:21) 8 Matacumbe (04:08) 9 Preparate Para Bañarte (02:47) 10 Picadillo (03:10) |
 | Album: 39 of 40 Title: Tambo Released: 2008 Tracks: 12 Duration: 31:09 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Dance of the Headhunters (03:11) 2 Call of the Jungle Birds (02:26) 3 Rumba-Timbales (02:14) 4 The Ceremony of Tambo (02:35) 5 Velorio (02:12) 6 Cuero Pelao (02:11) 7 Jungle Holiday (02:24) 8 Guaguanco (02:32) 9 Ritual Drum Dance (03:27) 10 Witch Doctors Nightmare (02:37) 11 Son Montuno (02:54) 12 Voodoo Dance at Midnight (02:21) |
 | Album: 40 of 40 Title: Tito Puente Jazz Released: 2008 Tracks: 12 Duration: 39:14 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Cochise (02:51) 2 One Note Samba (02:36) 3 110th St & 5th Avenue (02:42) 4 Picadillo (03:08) 5 The Big Four (05:24) 6 Timbales Solo (03:50) 7 Autumn Leaves (03:25) 8 Mambo Inn (02:31) 9 A Noro Morales (03:09) 10 Carnival in Harlem (03:25) 11 Jumpin With Symphony Sid (01:55) 12 Ritual Fire Dance (04:18) |