Paquito D'Rivera - Mariel (Columbia, 1982)

This post is by Scott

Paquito D'Rivera (as, ss, p, synth, arr); Randy Brecker (tr, flhn); Georg Wadenius (g); Hilton Ruiz (p); Jorge Dalto (el p); Luis Buchillon (synth, 1 trk only); Eddie Gomez (b); Jeff Fuller (b, el b); Ignacio Berroa (d); Daniel Ponce (perc, cga); Brenda Feliciano (vo, 1 trk only)

Recorded in 1982

This is wide-ranging, killer Latin Jazz that has the same energy and vitality that characterized D'Rivera's former band, Irakere.

And check out the band that D'Rivera assembled for Mariel: Hilton Ruiz and Jorge Dalto.  Ignacio Berroa and Daniel Ponce.  How could they not sound terrific!?!?

D'Rivera's Columbia LPs made a big splash back in the day, but for whatever reason, many of them -- including Mariel -- have never been reissued on compact disc.  Don't let bad decision-making from Sony's bean counters deter you.  Track down the vinyl or stream it via the internet.  Mariel is not just for Latin Jazz aficionados; anyone who's interested in terrific music should hear it.