Pucho & The Latin Soul Brothers - Jungle Fire! (1970)

Henry “Pucho” Brown, and his Latin Soul Brothers continue in the vein of their previous albums, exploring elements of jazz, Latin music, soul, and funk. What sets this LP apart from its predecessors is the interpretation of three Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong tunes. Both writer and lyricist are renowned for their contribution to the Motown Sound and of the late-1960s subgenre of psychedelic soul. The remaining two tracks are penned by Sonny Phillips, an organist, composer and noted soul jazz giant; also, a featured musician and leader on a number of other Prestige LPs. Apart from the great songwriting the album is boosted by the inclusion of saxophonist Seldon Powell, guitarist Billy Butler and as a regular electric pianist Neal Creque, adds his own magical touch. Of course, the Latin beats would not come to much if Pucho & his Latin Soul Brothers didn’t insurmountably fuse into each of the tunes their intoxicating rhythms. In the end another fine and entertaining album, enjoy!

Prestige Records, PRST 7765, 1970

Beat Goes Public, BGPD 1049, 1992

Recorded 12^th January, 1970 At Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ

Musicians:

Pucho - Timbales

Al Pazant - Trumpet

Seldon Powell - Tenor Saxophone, Saxophone [Varitone], Flute

Eddie Pazant - Tenor Saxophone

Earl Neal Creque - Electric Piano

Billy Bivins - Vibraphone, Percussion

Billy Butler - Guitar

Seaborn Westbrook - Bass [Fender]

Bernard "Pretty" Purdie - Drums

Joe Armstrong - Congas

Norberto Appellaniz - Bongos

Tracks:

A1. Friendship Train {Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong} (5:10)

A2. Got Myself A Good Man {Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong} (5:48)

A3. The Spokerman {Sonny Phillips} (5:15)

B1. Cloud 9 {Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong} (8:59)

B2. Jamilah {Sonny Phillips} (6:17)

Total Time: 31:29

Credits:

Producer - Bob Porter

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Design - Don Schlitten

Photo - H. Armstrong Roberts

Pucho & The Latin Soul Brothers - Heat! (1968)

In the late 1960s Henry "Pucho" Brown was at the top of his game. He successfully merged Soul, Funk and Latin rhythms into a steaming, genre-bending mix; this formula packed both the dance floors and his pockets. He went on to produce a swag of albums. Heat! finds his group banging out their prominent brand of Latin grooves. These tracks as back then still have the capacity to excite the listener today. The album packs a thoroughly contagious array of vibes, hard-driving percussion, Fender bass backed by a small ensemble of somber strings. Other funky elements include Neal Creque's flexing organ licks and the intermingling gruff vocals of Jackie Soul's on a number of the tracks. The majority of the tracks are originals penned by Creque, but there's also a handful of colorful covers including "Georgia On My Mind", which became quite a hit. Other tunes feature a foreboding counterpoint between the strings and William Bevin’s vibes, and showcase what an accomplished arranger Creque was. Taken as a whole, this is an enjoyable and undeniably funky set showcasing some of the band’s best. For anyone who likes Latin jazz funk this album will be of great interest, recommended!

Prestige Records, PRST 7572, 1968

Beat Goes Public, BGPD 1048, 1992

Recorded 23^rd April, 1968 in New York City

Musicians:

Henry “Pucho” Brown - Timbales

Eddie Pazant - Baritone Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Flute

Al Pazant - Trumpet

Willie Bivens - Vibraphone

Neal Creque - Piano, Organ, Arranger

Jim Phillips - Bass

Norberto Appellaniz - Bongos

Cecil Jackson - Conga

Selwart Clarke, Sanford Allen, Alfred Brown - Violin

Jackie Soul, The Soul Sisters - Vocals

Tracks:

A1. Heat! {Jimmy Phillips} (4:46)

A2. Georgia On My Mind {Hoagy Carmichael} (3:56)

A3. The Presence Of Your Heart {Neal Creque} (4:08)

A4. Psychedelic Pucho {Pucho, Jimmy Phillips, Neal Creque} (6:59)

B1. I Can't Stop Loving You {Don Gibson} (3:37)

B2. Wanderin' Rose {Neal Creque} (7:54)

B3. Let Love Find You {Neal Creque} (3:20)

B4. Candied Yam {Neal Creque} (3:32)

B5. Payin' Dues {Neal Creque} (3:01)

Total Time: 41:13

Credits:

Producer, Design - Don Schlitten

Recording Engineer - Richard Alderson

Graphic Art - Irving Riggs