Concord Records is proud to present this collection of highlights from its premiere releases in the breath-taking Hybrid SACD format. From intimate acoustic jazz, to swinging vocals, to percussive Latin jazz, to roaring big band, the SACD sound reveals all of the details and nuances in these landmark Concord recordings with stunning clarity and realism. Each track in this Hybrid SACD sampler can be heard in SACD multichannel surround sound or SACD Stereo. Hear these classic Concord recordings again for the first time, on SACD.

In the late 80s and early 90s, Jazz Alley was an annual stop for Mongo Santamaria and his band. Their appearance was an event that never disappointed. Someone at Concord Jazz, Mongo's label at the time, had the really bright idea of recording them live at that venue in March 1990. The band itself is an all-star lineup, including such luminaries as Ray Vega, Bobby Porcelli, Bob Quaranta, Johnny Almendra, Mitch Frohman, Eddie Rodriguez and Bernie Minoso.

Ramon "Mongo" Santamaria was an Afro-Cuban Latin jazz percussionist. He is most famous for being the composer of the jazz standard "Afro Blue", recorded by John Coltrane among others. In 1950 he moved to New York where he played with Perez Prado, Tito Puente, Cal Tjader, Fania All Stars, etc. He was an integral figure in the fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms with R&B and soul, paving the way for the boogaloo era of the late 1960s. His 1963 hit rendition of Herbie Hancock's "Watermelon Man" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998. His album Mambo Mongo was released on Chesky Records in 1993.

Ramón "Mongo" Santamaría Rodríguez was a rumba quinto master and an Afro-Cuban Latin jazz percussionist. He is most famous for being the composer of the jazz standard "Afro Blue", recorded by John Coltrane among others. He was an integral figure in the fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms with R&B and soul, paving the way for the boogaloo era of the late 1960s. This album has been released in 1967 via Columbia Records. Heavyweight West Coast latin boogaloo/jazz album from Mongo Santamaria featuring Hubert Laws, Marty Sheller, Bobby Capers and loads more killer latin and jazz musicians.

Conga player Poncho Sanchez has been one of the leaders in Latin jazz for a decade. This outstanding studio recording delivers the excitement with the addition of special guest Mongo Santamaria on "Watermelon Man" and several originals. Great solos by trumpeter Stan "Be Bop" Martin and baritone saxophonist Scott Martin add spice to the lively percussion of Sanchez and his group.

One thing consistent across cultures, time, and space, is music. It takes many forms in different parts of the world. On this compilation, One World One Music, we feature the music of multiple continents and musicians of several generations. Featuring Antonio Carlos Jobim, Babatunde Olatunji, Ana Caram, Candido, Badi Assad, and Dave Liebman (among a host of additional legends and newcomers alike), there's something here for the most ardent World Music lover, and the novice alike. Chesky Records release.

Ramón "Mongo" Santamaría Rodríguez was a rumba quinto master and an Afro-Cuban Latin jazz percussionist. He is most famous for being the composer of the jazz standard "Afro Blue", recorded by John Coltrane among others. He was an integral figure in the fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms with R&B and soul, paving the way for the boogaloo era of the late 1960s. This album has been released in 1966 via Columbia Records.

Rare live album recorded at New York's Village Gate. Includes a 10 minute jamming version of Mongo's classic number "Afro Blue". The band include: Marty Sheller, Ray Maldonado, Rogers Grant, Bobby Capers, Hubert Laws and others. Lots of greats solos from Mongo and his band.

The Mongo Santamaria/Columbia formula of Top 40 tunes retrofitted with an Afro-Cuban boogaloo beat gets another hyperactive workout here. The title tune, "Spinning Wheel," "Proud Mary," "My Cherie Amour" and "Get Back" are among the choices here, with Sonny Fortune occasionally scorching the earth on alto sax (and probably on flute), Joe Farrell turning up on tenor, and ever-versatile Bernard "Pretty" Purdie stoking the fires alongside Mongo. Yet the band is finally beginning to show some audible weariness with the whole operation for which one cannot blame them.