One of the great influential figures of Latin Jazz
percussion is that of Louis "Sabu" Martinez, who
had been performing in groups and ensembles as
early as the age of 11. Over the decades of his live,
Martinez had worked with some of the greatest
names in latin, jazz, and swing history, from Benny
Goodman and Count Basie to Thelonius Monk and
Charles Mingus to Tony Bennett and Harry
Belafonte. Later after many years of session
playing, he would lead his own band, which would
go on to record several essential albums in latin
jazz, including Palo Congo, which was listed in the
book 1001 Albums You Must Listen To Before You
Die, before later re-locating to Sweden in
the late 1960s.
During his time in Sweden, he continued to record,
contributing heavily to the burgeoning jazz scene
that was building there, as well as numerous
visiting American musicians. It was there that he
also recorded what would be his final album, Afro
Temple, which is considered one of Martinez's
greatest, and a masterpiece of the genre.
Featuring some of his finest precision percussion,
against a backdrop of Afro-Cuban instrumentation,
and an air of indelible Latino pride.
| A1 | Martin Cohen Loves Latin Percussion |
| A2 | Meapes Taculo |
| A3 | Wounded Knee |
| A4 | Afro Temple |
| A5 | All Castles Hump |
| B1 | Hotel Alyssa-Sousse, Tunisia |
| B2 | Para Ti, Tito Rodriguez |
| B3 | My Son Johnny And Me |
| B4 | My Christina |
