👉 Before I get to this Friday’s groove, I have to share this. We went to see a great set this past Saturday by Marc Ribot Y Los Cubanos Postizos (aka “The Prosthetic Cubans”) at Le Poisson Rouge in NYC. It was an inspiring performance. One of those experiences where I’m convinced there was no better band playing in town that night. The music is from 2 albums he recorded in the 90’s built around arrangements of Cuban bandleader Arsenio Rodriguez. Please check out those two records and definitely see Marc Ribot with this band if you get the chance. It’s been many years since he toured with this project and it really is fantastic.
🪘This Friday’s first groove is a track the grabbed me many years ago and helped spark my interest in Afro Cuban jazz.
🧈 Manteca is well-known composition by Dizzy Gillespie (with Chano Pozo and arranged by Gil Fuller) from 1947. It has been widely covered by many artists (even Phish has quoted it in their music). It’s an early example of Latin influence being introduced into jazz. It was 1947 so it was the pre-bop big band era.
💿 My favorite recording of Manteca is not Gillespie’s, but rather this great recording by Chico O'Farrill and his Orchestra. It has fantastic energy. It makes me wish I was in the room when it was recorded. it conveys the same kind of joy we heard on Saturday night.
Give it a chance to get going especially after the 45 second mark. Curious to know what you think of this.
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