Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, George Shearing and Stan Kenton all credit Francisco Raul Gutierrez Grillo, aka “Machito” as the leading artist who created what became “Afro Cuban Jazz”, mixing Cuban rhythms and swing charts that still resonate today. This essential 2 disc-40 song collection chronicles the vocalist and maraca master through various bands, usually with charts arranged by trumpeter Mario Bauza, with guests including the Lester Young influenced tenor Brew Moore, as well as appearances by beboppers and swingers Howard McGhee, Charlie Parker, Flip Phillips, Milt Jackson, Buddy Rich and even a pre “Day-o” Harry Belafonte.
The luscious saxes simmer over the percolating percussion along with vocal chants on “Intermizzo”, La Rubantela” and “Parabola” from the early 1940s. Bird and Phillips sit in for some quick solos on the exciting “Bucabu” and “Flying Home” while the horns reach for the skies on “Caravan”. There are some growling trombones on the fiery live recording from the Royal Roost on “Remendo Cumban” and McGhee bops on the earthy “Howards Blues” . Belafonte is bel canto on “Lean On Me” and some exotic Middle Eastern sounds sizzle on “Asia Minor” while the saxes swirl on “The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise”. There are some advanced harmonics for the time with Buddy Rich at the drums for a “Manteca”-ish “Afro-Cuban Suite” with the horns punching like a middleweight on “St. Louis Blues”. Yes, there are hints of Ricky Ricardo, but there’s a reason he caught on-this music is simply irresistible! The perfect intersection of New York’s 52 Street and Miami’s Calle Ocho.