1. Fuego Cubano (Cuban Fire)
2. El Congo Valiente (Valiant Congo)
3. Recuerdos (Reminiscences)
4. Quien Sabe (Who Knows)
5. Guera Baila (The Fair One Dances)
6. La Suerte de los Tontos (Fortune of Fools)
7. Tres Corarones (Three Hearts)
8. Maliba Moonlight
9. El Dangon
10. Carnival - Stan Kenton, Roland, Gene
11. Wagon
12. Early Hours (Lady Luck) - Stan Kenton, Roland, Gene
Amazon.com
Composer-arranger Johnny Richards created the music for this concept album, recorded in 1956. It required a very large band for its execution, combining Stan Kenton's usual brass emphasis with five Latin percussionists led by Willie Rodriguez on bongos. The results are admirable: music filled with heat and energy and sudden sharp contrasts in moods and voices. There are excellent solo contributions from a band that included trumpeter Sam Noto, trombonist Carl Fontana, and saxophonists Lennie Niehaus, Lucky Thompson, and Bill Perkins, but the real stars are Richards and the collective ensemble, who bring extraordinary precision and energy to a highly demanding score. The results are among the finest moments of Kenton's career, not only for the authentic use of Latin rhythmic elements but also for Richards's success in integrating extended composition techniques with jazz improvisers. The CD also includes five pieces by Richards and Gene Roland recorded in 1960 by the "Mellophonium" version of Kenton's orchestra. --Stuart Broomer
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Cuban Fire!
- Audio CD: 0 pages (1991-06-04)
- Publisher: Blue Note Records
- Label: Blue Note Records
- Studio: Blue Note Records
- Average Customer Review:
 based on 14 reviews
- Sales Rank in Music: #48081
Avg. Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: The Genius of Johnny Richards 2008-05-15
Comment: The opening number of "Fuego Cubano" is just a portent of things to come. Absolutely beautiful orchestral arrangements for the Kenton band. These numbers showcase the powerful brass section, with the trombones especially coming to the fore (Bob Fitzpatrick, Carl Fontana, Kent Larsen).
Marvelous solos by tenors Bill Perkins (La Guera Baila, Quien Sabe) and Lucky Thompson (Fuego Cubano), Trumpeters Vinnie Tano and Sam Noto and altoists Lennie Niehaus (La Suerte De Los Tontos, Recuerdos, El Congo Valiente) and the always exciting Gabe Baltazar (El Panzon, Wagon). All backed by an exceptional rhythm section to bring the listener into a wonderful world of Cuban rhythms.
Johnny Richards was always a fantastic arranger for the Kenton Band. He had an absolute knack for employing the powerful forces of the brass section that spurred the band to greater heights on performances. And the Kenton band was never short of inventive soloists (as witnessed in this recording) to help interpret his marvelous compositions.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: A Johnny Richards Masterpiece 2007-09-18
Comment: I bought this in 1957 and couldn't have been happier to find it finally on CD. Johnny Richards arrangements throughout this album are superb. The sounds are exciting, Kenton's band is tight and full and, yes, loud. This was the album that brought Richards to the forefront of jazz arrangers/composers. This 1956 jazz classic was followed by Kenton's grammy award winning album in 1961 entitled West Side Story, arranged by Johnny Richards. (Compositions by Leonard Bernstein & Stephen Sondheim). If you like Stan Kenton, as I do, you must have this album.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating: 
Summary: It looked interesting.... 2007-01-06
Comment: Occasionally I'll buy something because it looks interesting, and this is one of those purchases. Maybe I'm just not ready for it, but it wasn't quite what I expected. Maybe it was a bit too orchestral, or not quite latin enough, I'm not sure. It's neither a love or hate. It's just there.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Whatever happened to Johnny Richards? 2003-12-13
Comment: I bought this album in 1957. It's better today than it was almost 50 years ago. It's probably the only Kenton/Richards collaboration where the former relinquishes control.Richards makes his main statement here but he also shines on two other currently unavailable items; Something Else and Wide Range Cuban Fire is not only Kenton at his best but music at it's best. It's an inspirational piece.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Outstanding and addictive 2001-02-18
Comment: While I have only recently become a Stan Kenton fan, I would recommend this album to ANYONE who appreciates jazz. It combines the hard-hitting brass that was Kenton's signature with the Latin rhythms (mentioned above) that swing nicely. The Johnny Richards arrangements and compositions really create an album that you will want to listen to all the way through -- LOUDLY! Critics held mixed views of some of Kenton's work, but I have yet to hear of anyone who would give this less than five stars.If you have not yet listened to Stan Kenton, this is a great place to start. 'Cuban Fire' is energetic and innovative without going off the edge of experimentation. I have come to seriously enjoy Kenton's music on many albums, but this is good enough to be one of my 'desert island' selections. Even the bonus tracks are welcome, as they essentially maintain the style of the original album. Highly recommended.
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Cuban Fire!
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