Bobby Matos

This compilation album is drawn from nine sessions recorded over a 14-year period by Bobby Matos and his Afro-Cuban Jazz Ensemble. The emphasis here is on the jazz side of Latin jazz. Matos, a percussionist and vocalist, leads the various groups through a wildly eclectic assortment of originals, traditional Latin tunes, pop songs, and modern jazz. How's this for diversity: an English/Spanish rendition of the Rascals' '60s hit "Groovin," and three different takes on Herbie Hancock's funk-jazz classic "Chameleon," and a stripped-down version (just rhythm section and voices) of Pharaoh Sanders' free-jazz epic "The Creator Has a Master Plan." ~ Joel Roberts, All Music Guide