Pucho and the Latin Soul Brothers-Super Freak
70's Latin Soul. This is a CuBop reissue of a classic Pucho record. Timbalero Henry "Pucho" Brown created an eclectic mix of Latin jazz, soul, rock, and lounge. This is the last recording for the original manifestation of the Soul Brothers (1972). Pucho spent the next 20 years playing the Catskills until his re-discovery by the Acid Jazz kids in the 90's. This disc has one amazing track: the 15 minute Superfly medley. It is classic Pucho--a soul/funk standard with his sharp Afro-Cuban band adding horns and extra percussion. The rest of the album is ok, not fantastic, but worth checking out if you like lounge-y Latin jazz. Recommended tracks 1, 2, and 6.
1) *Great--long medley of three of the best songs from Curtis Mayfield's Superfly soundtrack. All three are funky groovers to begin with, add on top Latin percussion, horns, and some serious wa-wa guitar. The transitions between each song are excellent, very nice flow, especially the start of Freddie's Dead (at -5:07)
2) Gong! Percussion and spacey horns, flowing and loungey instrumental with moaning female vocal at end
3) Horns and piano,
4) Psychedelic moaning, then loungey female vocal
5) Flowing lounge, guitar and Hammond featured
6) Mellow, jazzy instrumental with sax
Tom Purcell, November 2000