Vibraphonist
Cal Tjader's 1950s recordings for Fantasy did a great deal to popularize Latin jazz and solidify its innovations.
Los Ritmo Caliente features such fine sidemen as flutist
Jerome Richardson, pianists
Richard Wyands,
Eddie Cano,
Manuel Duran, and
Vince Guaraldi, bassists
Al McKibbon,
Bobby Rodriguez, and
Eugene Wright, and quite a few percussionists (most notably
Armando Peraza and, on three songs,
Mongo Santamaria and
Willie Bobo). The fusion of bop and Latin music results in some exciting playing. In addition to group originals, tunes such as
Ray Bryant's "Cubano Chant," "Mambo Inn," "Bernie's Tune," "Perdido," and even "Big Noise from Winnetka" receive lively treatment.