A tip of the cap is due to Liberation Hall Records out of Massachusetts. They managed to publish one of the few Cal Tjader albums I haven’t heard, and the sound is spectacular, capturing Cal still at his peak in 1974, well before his tragic passing in 1982 at the age of 56.
From the label’s Bandcamp site:
“The sound of the group remained authentically Latin, undiminished in explosive force. This album is characterized by its searing brass and exciting percussions. The insistent beat energized Latin dancers, while the interplay of basic jazz elements raised it above just good dance music. The major goal of this recording was to retain the essential live flavor of the music and performers. Close-miking techniques were not used on this recording. Instead, four overhead microphones plus a direct input for the bass were employed to capture the sound of eleven musicians together with the correct acoustic perspective between instruments. Listening to the playback of the recording session was a rewarding experience for all involved.“
