Afro-Cuban (album)

Afro-Cuban
Studio album by Kenny Dorham
Released	End of October 1955 (10"); End of May 1957 (12")
Recorded	January 30 and March 29, 1955 Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack
Genre	Jazz
Length	18:53 (1955) 35:08 (1957), 45:44 (2007)
Label	Blue Note BLP 5065 (1955), BLP 1535 (1957), Blue Note 92744 (2007)
Producer	Alfred Lion
Kenny Dorham chronology
Kenny Dorham Quintet (1953)Kenny Dorham Quintet1953 Afro-Cuban (1955) 'Round About Midnight at the Cafe Bohemia (1956) Alternative cover 10" Vinyl (1955) artwork 'Round About Midnight at the Cafe Bohemia1956

Afro-Cuban is an album by American jazz trumpeter Kenny Dorham. The first release of the album dates back to 1955 on 10" Vinyl, featuring only four tracks and having a different cover artwork. Some time later, Blue Note decided to add three tracks and issue a more complete LP toward the end of May 1957 (see below for details). After publishing a 2003 RVG edition which featured two additional pieces and a different track listing, Blue Note remastered and recompiled Afro-Cuban in 2007, restoring the original track order.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic

The Allmusic review by Michael G. Nastos awarded the album 5 stars and stated "A first-rate recording for the under-appreciated Dorham, this one should be in every collection of all true music lovers".

Track listing

All compositions by Kenny Dorham except as indicated

10" Vinyl, BLP 5065 (1955)

1. "Afrodisia" – 5:06
2. "Lotus Flower" – 4:17
3. "Minor's Holiday" – 4:27
4. "Basheer's Dream" (Gigi Gryce) - 5:03

LP, BLP 1535 (1957)

1. "Afrodisia" – 5:06
2. "Lotus Flower" – 4:17
3. "Minor's Holiday" – 4:27
4. "Basheer's Dream" (Gigi Gryce) - 5:03
5. "K.D.'s Motion" - 5:29
6. "La Villa" – 5:24
7. "Venita's Dance" - 5:22

RVG edition (CD, 2007)

1. "Afrodisia" – 5:06
2. "Lotus Flower" – 4:17
3. "Minor's Holiday" – 4:27
4. "Basheer's Dream" (Gigi Gryce) - 5:03
5. "K.D.'s Motion" - 5:29
6. "La Villa" – 5:24
7. "Venita's Dance" - 5:22

Bonus tracks

• "Echo of Spring" (aka "K.D.'s Cab Ride") – 6:12
• "Minor's Holiday" [Alternate Take] – 4:24

Tracks 5-8 recorded on January 30, 1955; tracks 1-4 and 9 on March 29, 1955.

Personnel

• Kenny Dorham – trumpet
• J. J. Johnson – trombone (tracks 1-4 and 9)
• Hank Mobley – tenor saxophone
• Cecil Payne – baritone saxophone
• Horace Silver – piano
• Percy Heath (tracks 5-8), Oscar Pettiford (tracks 1-4 and 9) – bass
• Art Blakey – drums
• Carlos "Patato" Valdes – conga (tracks 1-4 and 9)
• Richie Goldberg – cowbell (tracks 1-4 and 9)