Poncho Sanchez (vocals, congas, percussion); Scott Martin (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Eddie Harris (tenor saxophone); Sal Cracchiolo (trumpet, flugelhorn); Bruce Paulson (trombone); David Torres (piano); Ramon Banda (drums, timbales, percussion); José Papo Rodríguez (bongos, percussion, background vocals); Tony Banda (background vocals).
This is a particularly special Poncho Sanchez recording, for the conguero's popular Latin jazz band is joined by the great tenor saxophonist Eddie Harris on four songs. Harris is so strong on his "Cold Duck Time" and Art Farmer's "Happy Blues," "Rapture," and "Afro Blue" that it is unfortunate that he is not on the other seven selections (which include Cedar Walton's "Ugetsu" and Gerry Mulligan's "Five Brothers") as well. At the time, Sanchez' band had his usual rhythm section (bassist Tony Banda, Ramon Banda on timbales, pianist David Torres, and Papo Rodriguez on bongos), plus longtime trumpeter Sal Cracchiolo, trombonist Bruce Paulson, and Scott Martin on alto and tenor. Everything works on this highly enjoyable set, one of Poncho Sanchez' definitive recordings. ~ Scott Yanow
Album Tracks -->-->-->
1.Five Brothers - 5:51
2.Cold Duck Time - 5:30
3.Ugetsu - 5:07
4.Anque Tu - 5:43
5.(213) Cha Cha - 3:50
6.Happy Blues - 5:33
7.Lament - 5:45
8.Ven Morena - 6:26
9.Rapture - 6:26
10.Meeker's Blues - 5:35
11.Afro Blue - 7:12