Tito Puente and
Woody Herman teamed in 1958 for a mutually satisfying meeting in the same way that
Charlie Parker,
Dizzy Gillespie, and
Machito found common ground in the late '40s.
Puente's Latin rhythms and beats meshed with the swing and bebop of
Herman's band on half of the disc's cuts, and the results were hot and delightful. With
Puente heading the rhythm section and playing timbales,
Robert Rodriguez on bass, and assorted percussion from
Gilbert Lopez, Raymond Rodriquez, and
Ray Barretto, the band stays locked into the Latin groove while the saxophonists and trumpeters weave in, out, and around the beat. There are also more conventional
Herman swing numbers such as "Blue Station" and "Woodchopper's Ball," where the standard
Herman stomping sound is in effect. ~ Ron Wynn