The Complete RCA Recordings, Vol. 1

The heart of this affordable, six-CD collection is the mambo, the Afro-Cuban dance Puente spread throughout the world--from New York's famed Palladium to Paris--with classics such as "Ran Kan Kan," "Picadillo," and "Hong Kong Mambo" (the lattermost with Puente on marimba). Another Cuban dance rhythm, the cha-cha, was prominent in Puente's book. His rendition of bassist Cachao's catchy "Chanchullo" may have been the model for Puente's megahit, "Oye Como Va," taken subsequently to greater heights as a Latin rock classic by Carlos Santana. Puente grew up in Harlem, and his jazz chops are in full effect on his vintage, cornerstone Afro-Cubop takes on Billy Strayhorn's "Take the A Train," "Tuxedo Junction," and "That Old Devil Moon." --Eugene Holley Jr.