Teatro Amadeo Roldan Recital

For the third release in our Mr Bongo Cuban Classics series, we reissue the iconic 1974 debut album by the mighty Grupo Irakere.

Led by Chucho Valdes, son of Cuban pianist and bandleader Bebo Valdes, the band would go on to become of the most influential and successful groups emanating from Cuba in this period. Their debut Teatro Amadeo Roldan Recital is an in- demand and incredible Afro-Cuban jazz-funk masterpiece originally landing on Cuba’s state-owned imprint, Areito.

One of the jewels of the album is the beast of an opener, ‘Bacalao Con Pan’. A heavy dancefloor Latin-funk burner, with ripping Wah-Wah guitar, a blistering mix of Latin percussive elements and horns firing on all cylinders. It’s a song which builds and breaks with an energy and power that still lights up the dance to this very day.