Latino America

Released in the wake of the commercial success of his comeback, Que Pasa, Latino America is a double-disc that combines Gato Barbieri’s first two albums for a major label. Both records were recorded in the early ’70s, largely in Brazil and Argentina, and they have been remastered by Ed Michel, the original producer of these sessions. In addition to all of the material from the two albums — including four tracks that have been restored to thier full extended length — Latino America contains five previously unreleased tracks. Barbieri’s smooth fusion of jazz and South American rhythms have rarely sounded as fresh or alive as they do here, making it one of the more vital collections in his catalog. – Leo Stanley