Tito Puente & Phil Woods - Salsa Meets Jazz (1988) 320kbps

For this particular Tito Puente recording, his exciting three-horn, three-percussion Latin jazz octet (which includes longtime saxophone soloist Mario Rivera) is joined by alto great Phil Woods on three of the eight selections, including Thelonious Monk's "Pannonica" and "Repetition." Such songs as "Corner Pocket," "Carioca" and Dizzy Gillespie's "Con Alma" sound perfectly natural in this Afro-Cuban jazz setting, and Puente (well featured on vibes and timbales) is responsible for two originals and seven of the nine arrangements. The music is danceable, adventurous and quite fun. ~ Scott Yanow

Personnel: Tito Puente (timbales); Phil Woods (alto saxophone); Mario Rivera (tenor saxophone, flute); Piro Rodriguez, Bill Ortiz (trumpet, flugelhorn); Joe De Jesus (trombone); Sonny Bravo (piano); Rebecca Mauleon (synthesizer); Bobby Rodriguez (bass); Johnny Rodriguez (bongos); Jose Madera (congas); Frank Figueroa, Jose Alexis Diaz (background vocals).