MR. BONGO

Twenty-six red-hot, skin-slappin', bongo-bashin' Latin jazz 'n' mambo bangers! The phrase?living legend is undoubtedly overused, but there can be few people more deserving of such?an accolade than Jack Costanzo. Born on September 24, 1919, Costanzo is arguably the?most significant percussionist of the modern era. Playing with many key orchestras, leading?his own band, appearing in numerous TV shows and films, and tutoring bongo playing to the?stars, more than any other figure Jack Costanzo brought percussion, specifically Latin?percussion and his trademark bongos, to widespread attention. But he wasn't merely a?popularist; he was revered by his peers and critics alike for his natural ability, invention,?and, perhaps most importantly, his sheer versatility. He became known as Mr. Bongo (first?coined by jazz critic Leonard Feather), and the tag could hardly be more appropriate.?Latin music and its influence in general is often criminally overlooked in music history, but as?a white Italian American who rose to prominence playing Latin music at the height of the?mambo craze of the 1950s, Jack Costanzo has probably been even more neglected. This?26-track retrospective seeks to give him the special treatment his spectacular career deserves.?Showcasing many of the musical highlights of his mid-'50s peak and featuring extensive liner?notes based on new interviews with Costanzo himself, Mr. Bongo serves as a perfect?introduction to the many who may not yet be aware of Jack Costanzo, and provides those?who are already fans with the ultimate collection of his work. All tracks digitally restored from?original sources. Includes 16-page color booklet containing pictures and notes provided?personally by Jack Costanzo himself.?TRACKLISTING?01. Sax con ritmo (2:00)?02. Caravan (3:11)?03. Cumbanchero (2:22)?04. Quiere (Live) (3:09)?05. El diablito (2:09)?06. La La La (2:48)?07. Bongo Fever (2:42)?08. Taboo (2:43)?09. Bei mir bist du schoen (2:49)?10. Malaguena (7:39)?11. Peanut Vendor (2:25)?12. Jarochito (3:15)?13. Adjaye adjaye (2:40)?14. Bongo festeris (2:32)?15. Tabu (3:58)?16. Oye negra (2:26)?17. Atu (2:40)?18. Quiere (3:03)?19. Goza negra (2:59)?20. Robins Mambo (2:18)?21. Rabo e Mula (3:29)?22. Pharoah's Curse (2:43)?23. Latin Fever (3:00)?24. Mira como los pollos (3:14)?25. Abainaquito (4:27)?26. Besame mucho (2:57)