Mongo Santamaria and Friends - Mambo Mongo

Mongo Santamaria and Friends — Mambo Mongo 

Part of the Chesky Original Masters Series

Hybrid Stereo SACD

Chesky Records is reissuing Mongo Santamaria's classic Latin jazz album Mambo Mongo on September 18, 2026, as part of their Chesky Original Masters reissue series. Mongo Santamaria's late-period gem features Santamaria, his stirring group of the era, and guest flutists Hubert Laws and David Valentin. Mambo Mongo, which was recorded on March 30-31, 1992, was the 100th release by the Chesky label and Santamaria's only album for the company. The audiophile recording produced by label head David Chesky is typically impeccable with true-to-life sound that takes listeners into the studio with the musicians.

The album features the superb Hubert Laws on "Dark Before the Dawn" and "Are They Only Dreams," showcased David Valentin on the infectious "Caribbean Sunrise" and "Los Ninos Del Mundo," and has such soloists as pianist Dario Eskenazi, Craig Rivers on tenor and soprano, and altoist Jimmy Cozier. The climactic performance is "La Mogolla" which teams Santamaria with three other percussionists for 9½ minutes of rhythmic excitement.

Mambo Mongo's welcome return brings back one of the highpoints of Chesky's impressive catalog and one of the highlights of Mongo Santamaria's prolific career. This reissue will be available on Hybrid Stereo SACD.

 

1. Dark Before the Dawn

2. Caribbean Sunrise

3. Mambo Mongo

4. Los Ninos Del Mundo

5. Cali

6. Are They Only Dreams

7. Cuco y Olga

8. Azteca

9. La Mogolla

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