Ably supported by a cast including flutist
Hubert Laws, saxophonist
Sonny Fortune, and drummer
Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, conguero
Mongo Santamaria rejoins the hit parade with
Soul Bag, galvanizing contemporary chart smashes with the energy and fire of his trademark Latin soul -- the approach may frustrate listeners yearning for a return to the traditional charanga sensibilities that defined the percussionist's early dates for Fantasy, but there's no denying the sheer energy and infectiousness of this music. As its title promises,
Soul Bag forgoes the British Invasion covers of
Santamaria's other Columbia efforts to focus on the indelible soul records coming out of Motown, Stax and Atlantic -- his readings of "In the Midnight Hour," "Respect," and "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay" are respectful yet ingenious, with righteously funky rhythms that intertwine with the original melodies like strands of DNA. ~ Jason Ankeny