The collection here evokes these images. It gets off to a propulsive start with “Just Another Guajira,” embellished in the nicest way by the driving harmonic pulse of pianist Omar Sosa and a bass outing from Carlitos Del Puerto, who finds room to quote “La Bamba.” Bobby Matos whose sense of percussion is one of the cornerstones of Latin jazz, finds a sensuous sway on “Kimbisa,” a song that grabs right off the bat.

When it comes to the drums, perhaps no one has greater stature than Jack Constanzo. “Bemba Colora” is an absolute delight coming off on the vocals of Marilu, the horns singing in vivid tones, the beat sashaying madly and Constanzo spurring the gang on the congas. And there is more to savor, like the rare track from the Har You Percussion Group, which had just one album. “Barrets Bag” brings in unison horn lines, a funky bass and a saxophone that blows long and hard just a tad away from a Latin discourse to indulge in bop finery. This fine primer includes unreleased and rare tracks as well as the more familiar.

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~ Jerry D'Souza

Track Listing: Just Another Guajira; Kimbisa; My Favorite Things; Mallet Hands; I Don’t Speak Spanish (But I Understand Everything When I’m Dancing; Skin & Bones; My Dream Boogaloo; Juan Jose; Barrets Bag; Tresguanco (for Iris Pell); Back to the Roots; 42nd and Broadway; Bemba Colora