For this particular
Tito Puente recording, his exciting three-horn, three-percussion Latin jazz octet (which includes longtime saxophone soloist
Mario Rivera) is joined by alto great
Phil Woods on three of the eight selections, including
Thelonious Monk's "Pannonica" and "Repetition." Such songs as "Corner Pocket," "Carioca" and
Dizzy Gillespie's "Con Alma" sound perfectly natural in this Afro-Cuban jazz setting, and
Puente (well featured on vibes and timbales) is responsible for two originals and seven of the nine arrangements. The music is danceable, adventurous and quite fun. ~ Scott Yanow