Los Ritmos Calientes

Performer: Cal Tjader
Distributor: Ryko Distribution

Notes: Personnel: Cal Tjader (vibraphones, timbales); Gerald Sanfino (alto saxophone, flute); Jose "Chombo" Silva (tenor saxophone); Jerome Richardson (flute); Eddie Cano, Vince Guaraldi, Manuel Duran (piano); Richard Wyands (piano, percussion); Bobby Rodriguez, Eugene Wright (bass); Al McKibbon (bass, congas); Al Torres (drums); Armando Peraza (conga, bongos); Ramon "Mongo" Santamaria (congas); Bayardo Velarde (bongos, percussion); Armando "Cuco" Sanchez, Willie Bobo, Luis Kant (percussion). Tracks 1-13 originally released as RITMO CALIENTE on Fantasy (3216), and tracks 14-23 on MAS RITMO CALIENTE on Fantasy (3262). Includes original release liner notes by Ralph J. Gleason. Digitally remastered by Phil De Lancie (1992, Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California). Personnel: Cal Tjader (vibraphone, timbales); Gerald Sanfino (flute, alto saxophone); Jerome Richardson (flute); Chombo Silva, Jose Chombo Silva (tenor saxophone); Richard Wyands (piano, maracas); Manuel Duran , Eddie Cano, Jerome Duran, Vince Guaraldi (piano); Al Torre, Al Torres (drums); Armando Peraza (congas, bongos); Luis Kant (congas, cowbells); Al McKibbon, Mongo Santamar�a (congas); Bayardo Velarde (bongos, timbales); Cuco S�nchez, Armando Sanchez, Willie Bobo (timbales). Audio Remasterer: Phil DeLancie. Liner Note Author: Ralph J. Gleason. Recording information: Chicago, IL (05/06/1954-10/11/1957); Los Angeles, CA (05/06/1954-10/11/1957); New York, NY (05/06/1954-10/11/1957); San Francisco, CA (05/06/1954-10/11/1957). Unknown Contributor Roles: Cuco S�nchez; Eddie Cano; Eugene Wright; Bayardo Velarde; Luis Kant; Jerome Richardson; Jose Silva; Al McKibbon; Mongo Santamar�a; Richard Wyands; Armando Peraza; Vince Guaraldi; Bobby Rodriguez. When Cal Tjader recorded RITMO CALIENTE in 1954, he was already established as a respected Latin jazzman, enjoying popularity as a vibes player rivaling that of Red Norvo. However RITMO CALIENTE and its follow-up, MAS RITMO CALIENTE (the two albums are presented here on one CD), secured Tjader's position in jazz history as one of the finest fusion artists. The emphasis here may be on rhythm, but Tjader and his band's skillful phrasing are striking. The Latin craze was in full swing in the States, with Desi Arnaz and Tito Puente both on the charts. But Tjader's music was on an entirely different plane. His music was high art, incorporating Latin percussion to create subtle, atmospheric rhythms. His artistry, together with the jazz experiments of such greats as Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and Charles Mingus, brought jazz fusion to public attention. These recordings paved the way for the future fusion experiments of such artists as Miles Davis and Carlos Santana.

Because he was a crossover success, vibraphonist/percussionist Cal Tjader received his share of derision from both sides of the jazz/Latin fence. However, his sincere interest in Latin rhythms and their potential for blending with cool jazz led to a groundbreaking fusion of the two, and a genuine hit with the tune "Soul Sauce" in 1965. An important conduit between the two styles, he helped bring percussionists Mongo Santamaria and Willie Bobo to a much wider audience. With practically a life lived on tour, it's almost fitting he was on the road (in the Phillipines) when he passed away at 56 in 1982.

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