Pucho is a timbalero who possess a sure hand at arrangements that combine an Afro-Cuban base with strong jazz components. His band, the Latin Soul Brothers, is a well-oiled machine. The ten tunes include a couple of mambos, two boogaloo numbers, a descarga, the ballad “Laura,” the jazz funk standard “Cold Duck Time,” and the pop hit “Copacabana.” The closer, “Descarga on Las Palmas,” features a spectacular six minute timbales solo by Pucho. “Ella’s Groove” features Arturo Velasco on trombone and band member Eddie Pazant playing the Mann-like flute. Guitarist Marvin Horne takes center stage on “Happy Feet Mambo.” Bobby Matos, who contributed the liner notes, plays guiro on several numbers, while Michael Turre, a regular of Matos’ band, is heard on flute on two numbers and soprano sax on “Copa.” As you might expect, it all adds up to a versatile, soulful, percussive, and grooving release.
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