Cal Tjader Mamblues

Vibes wizard belts out a fiery Latin Jazz gem with a version on the flip that’s pure fatback funk! The amalgamation of latin music into the domestic jazz scene in ‘40s and ‘50s USA has been well documented. For some jazzers a touch of latin was simply a tool to add some spice to yet another blues standard, while for others the excitement and energy they discovered in latin music became a deep-seated passion that was to last a lifetime. For Cal Tjader, a vibraphonist of Swedish-American heritage based in California, the latter was most certainly the case

In 1958 the mambo craze was in full swing. The fresh, exciting sound of Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria and countless others was heard in nigthtclubs and ballrooms throughout New York and the West Coast. Tjader, one of the few vibes players in latin jazz, was contracted to Fantasy Records in California, where in 1958 he cut the frenzied, frenetic & hectic ‘Mamblues’. Even the superslick jazz dancers of today struggle to keep up, but that’s all part of the fun. Tjader was certainly on point when he hammered it out, mallets ablaze, but not a note out of place. A truly amazing piece of hot bangin’ latin jazz!

Then in 1972 the song was revisited for place on the soundtrack to the full-length adult-rated cartoon movie ‘Fritz the Cat’. Only this time lean, mean time-keepin’ machine Bernard ‘Pretty’ Purdie was in the traps. Only Bernard Purdie can play drums like Bernard Purdie, and that means purdie funkin’ good!