Mongo Santamaria – Explodes at the Village Gate 1967

Mongo Santamaria – Explodes at the Village Gate (1967 Live Album Review & Tracklist)

 

Columbia records 1967   CS 9570

          

notes:

Few live jazz recordings capture raw energy and rhythmic

 intensity quite like Explodes at the Village Gate, the 1967 

album by Mongo Santamaria. Recorded in New York City at 

the legendary Village Gate, this album stands as one of the 

defining moments in Latin jazz history.

Blending Afro-Cuban rhythms with soul jazz grooves, Santamaria 

delivers a performance that is both hypnotic 

and explosive true to the album’s title.

Released in 1967, Explodes at the Village Gate captures 

Mongo Santamaria at the height of his creative powers.

 Backed by a tight, groove-driven band, he transforms the

 live setting into a powerful rhythmic journey.

This recording reflects the vibrant New York jazz scene of 

the late 1960s, where Latin, soul, and jazz influences merged 

into a new, electrifying sound. Santamaria, already known for

 bridging Afro-Cuban traditions with modern jazz, 

pushes that fusion even further here.

credits:

    Bass – Victor Venegas

    Congas, Bongos – Mongo Santamaria

    Drums, Timbales – Hungria Garcia

    Piano – Rodgers Grant

    Saxophone, Flute – Bobby Porcelli

    Saxophone, Flute, Piccolo Flute – Hubert Laws

    Trumpet – Ray Maldonado

Engineer – Edward T. Graham, Murray Zimney

Producer – David Rubinson, Warren Vincent

tracklist:

A1 Philadelphia

Written-By – M. Sheller*

3:49

A2 Juan Jose

Written-By – A. Echevarria*

3:45

A3 Bloodshot

Written-By – H. Laws*

3:21

A4 Afro Blue

Written-By – M. Santamaria*

10:17

B1 Yes It Do

Written-By – R. Porcelli*

3:10

B2 Mongoettes

Written-By – R. Porcelli*

3:17

B3 Springtime

Written-By – R. Porcelli*

3:50

B4 No More

Written-By – H. Laws*

3:01

B5 Elephant Pants

Written-By – N. Simmons*

3:33

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