I heard a track from this on a Blog recently, hit the spot instantly – especially at this, the fresh end of the Summer.

The name “Afro-Cuban” is fairly descriptive of the sound on offer here. The first track “Afrodisia” is one of those tracks everyone has heard but never bothered to find out who or what it was… turned up loud… windows wide open, this song and the six others on this Blue Note release filled the street outside with pure brilliance for close on an hour today.

I especially love the cover art with its black on orange primitive drawing by Reid Miles and Dorham himself blasting away above in a photo by Francis Wolff. The linear notes tell of two sides of Dorham aptly expressed through the A and B side of the LP. On side A we are treated to that rich Afro-Cuban sound that is suggested in the Title. With a large rhythm section with Congas and Drums, backed with Oscar Pettiford on Piano and the brass featuring Jay Jay Johnson on Trombone, Hank Mobley and Cecil Payne on sax and of course the enigmatic Kenny Dorham on Trumpet.

Side B however has a little more swing and features three tracks previously unreleased at the time this record was first released in 1955 that have a little more swing and blues style tunes…

…. its a real summery affair altogether and will be a treat to the ears if sitting in the sun sipping a cold drink and contemplating another.