Flute Over Latin Grooves, Mid-Sixties Bright
Herbie Mann trades his usual cool for a warm, percussion-driven party in the studio.
Put on My Kinda Groove and the first thing you hear is rhythm: congas, timbales, and a bouncing bass line that set a loose, dance-ready pace. Herbie Mann's flute floats across the top, bright and easy, sitting comfortably inside the Latin-tinged grooves rather than pushing against them. The mood is sunny and unfussy, a record meant to get your foot tapping before it asks anything of you.
Recorded for Atlantic and released in 1965, the album shows Mann mixing jazz improvisation with the Afro-Latin percussion that was becoming a fixture of New York studio work. Patato Valdés on congas and Willie Bobo on timbales anchor the sessions, while Dave Pike's vibraphone adds a shimmer on top. The horn section, with Clark Terry on trumpet, gives the arrangements some punch when they need it. It is a busy, colorful band, but the arrangements keep the focus on groove and melody rather than on showing off.
Where this album sits in Mann's career is worth knowing. It is not his most adventurous record, and it is not where most listeners should start with him. It is a crowd-pleasing, well-played session from a period when Mann was experimenting with fusing jazz with world rhythms, and it is a fine example of that approach. If you want the Latin-jazz crossover in its most straightforward, enjoyable form, this one delivers, and it works best as an entry point for listeners who already like the sound of the era.
Who's playing
Jack Sixbass
Don Friedmanpiano
Attila Zollerguitar
Clark Terrytrumpet
Marky Markowitztrumpet
Ernie Royaltrumpet
Snooky Youngtrumpet
Jimmy Kneppertrombone
Herbie Mannflute
Bobby Thomasdrums
Carlos “Patato” Valdéscongas
Dave Pikevibraphone
Willie Bobotimbales
[unknown]strings
Jerry Dodgionwoodwind
Richie Kamucareeds
Charles McCrackencello
Kermit Moorecello
Where next?
More by Herbie Mann
All 36 albums →
The musicians on this record
Their own records, close in time
