Vinyl Reissue of Tito Puente’s Celebrated 1985 Album, Mambo Diablo

Craft Latino has announced the long-awaited vinyl reissue of Tito Puente‘s acclaimed 1985 album, Mambo Diablo. This marks the first-ever vinyl reissue of the legendary bandleader and percussionist’s classic album. Mambo Diablo offers a lively and dynamic mix of standards and original compositions, including the popular fan favorite “Mambo Diablo”.

The album features Puente’s unique twist on timeless classics such as “Take Five”, “Lush Life”, and “Lullaby of Birdland”, which features its composer, George Shearing, on piano. The reissue of Mambo Diablo is set for release on May 26.

This classic album was cut from the original master tapes (AAA) by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio, ensuring the highest quality possible. The 180-gram vinyl is housed in a tip-on jacket, and the album also features its original liner notes by the Emmy-winning journalist and longtime New York City TV reporter Pablo Guzman. Additionally, the reissued album will make its debut on hi-res audio (192/24), adding to the overall listening experience.

This special reissue arrives as Craft Latino celebrates the centennial of Tito Puente. Throughout the year, the Latin music pioneer’s contributions will be honored through various special reissues, exclusive digital content, and much more. The Para los Rumberos album, a classic from 1972, is set for release in April.

Tito Puente, born in New York in 1923, was a celebrated songwriter, bandleader, producer, and percussionist who enjoyed living legend status in the 1980s, with no signs of slowing down. For over three decades, Puente reigned as the King of Latin Jazz, popularizing styles like mambo, cha-cha-chá, and son cubano through his popular records and hits such as “Oye Como Va”. In the 1970s, Carlos Santana’s renditions of “Para los Rumberos” and “Oye Como Va” introduced Puente to a new generation of fans. The 1980s marked yet another career resurgence for the prolific bandleader.

Mambo Diablo, Puente’s third release with Concord Picante, is a particularly significant high point in his career during this period. The album showcases Puente’s versatility as a musician, featuring outstanding work on the vibraphone throughout. Moreover, Mambo Diablo deftly bridges the gap between Latin and jazz and serves as a testament to Puente’s expert arranging skills. Pablo Guzman praises Puente’s ideas, segues, choruses, and handling of the ensemble’s sections, which simply “sparkle,” in his liner notes.

Puente and his highly skilled Latin Ensemble breathed new life into beloved classics such as Billy Strayhorn’s “Lush Life,” the Jerome Kern/Dorothy Fields standard “Pick Yourself Up,” and Paul Desmond’s “Take Five” (famously performed by Dave Brubeck). Additionally, their superb rendition of “Lullaby of Birdland” featured a memorable appearance by the song’s composer, George Shearing, on the piano. The album is rounded out by the inclusion of the classic bolero, “No Pienses Así,” composed by the legendary Cuban musician, Pérez “Pepe” Delgado.

Several original compositions are also featured, including the uplifting title track, “Mambo Diablo,” which opens the album. Led by Puente on the vibraphone, “Mambo Diablo” highlights the extraordinary talents of his bandmates, such as Sonny Bravo on the piano, Bobby Rodriguez on the bass, José Madera on the congas and percussion, Johnny “Dandy” Rodriguez on the bongos and percussion, Jimmy Frisaura on the valve trombone, trumpet, and flute, Mario Rivera on the flute and saxophone, and Ray Gonzalez on the trumpet and flügelhorn.

Reflecting on the album, Guzman asserts that Mambo Diablo, with its diverse tracklist, offers fans a chance to fully appreciate Puente’s exceptional musicianship, which extends far beyond his remarkable skill as a rhythmically rich drummer.

While Puente was in his early 60s when Mambo Diablo was released, he was still very much at the height of his career, with numerous accomplishments yet to come. In subsequent years, he would perform at the closing ceremony of the 1996 Summer Olympics, make appearances in various films (including Radio Days in 1987, The Mambo Kings in 1992, and the 2000 documentary Calle 54), and even make a guest appearance on The Simpsons.

At the time of his passing, Puente’s impressive catalog included over 100 albums and more than 400 compositions, while his extensive list of collaborators included such legendary musicians as Quincy Jones, Dizzy Gillespie, and Celia Cruz. During his illustrious five-decade-long career, Puente received numerous honors and accolades, including five Grammy Awards, Billboard’s Latin Music Lifetime Achievement Award, and the prestigious National Medal of Arts from the United States government.

More about Tito Puente.

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