Label: Numero
Reissued 7/26/2024, Originally released 1960
A disciple of mambo innovator Perez Prado, the Cuban-born Modesto Duran was a pivotal figure in Latin dance music’s transitionary mid-century period. His gentle slaps can be heard across dozens of 1950s mega-sellers, from Esquivel to Belafonte, Eartha Kitt to Lena Horne. On his 1960 solo debut, Duran gathers a who’s who of conga-men, including Mongo Santamaría, Willie Bobo, and Juan Cheda, delivering a cinematic and percussive melange of afro-cuban, cha cha, and exotic jazz styles for the discerning listener.
Track listing:
- Afro-cu
- Silent Island
- Bem-be-cu
- Chuqui Bambo
- Piranha
- Angry Drums
- Goro-gu
- Coro-coro
- Baca-vaca
- Gua-gua-co
- Jungle Dream
- Chango