Mucho Macho Machito

One of the key innovators in Latin jazz, percussionist Frank "Machito" Grillo fused deep percussive grooves with high-intensity horn sections and work by some of the greatest soloists of his era. These 24 sides, made in 1948 and '49 for producer Norman Granz's Clef label, are among the most striking examples of the form. Perfect for both listening and dancing, tracks such as "Asia Minor," "Gone City," and "Mambo Jambo" are endlessly fascinating. The truest test of Mucho Macho, however, may be the cheesily titled number "Hall of the Mambo King" and the covers of "Tea for Two" and "The World Is Waiting for Sunrise," which are nearly as powerful as everything else here. --Rickey Wright