At the time that Sabroso was recorded, Mongo Santamaria’s group was essentially a charanga band with two trumpets added, a combination that works quite well. The group has superior playing by Jose “Chombo” Silva on both violin and tenor (helping “Para Ti” to become a classic), two little-known but talented trumpeters (Louis Valizan and Marcus Cabuto), the great flutist Rolando Lozano, pianist Rene Hernandez, bassist Victor Venegas, and Willie Bobo on drums. Pete Escovedo is one of the background singers as Rudi Calzado takes the lead on a few numbers but does not dominate. There are many fine individual moments on this joyous and infectious set. – Scott Yanow