Ray Barretto – Barretto Para Bailar

Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing. Includes bonus track. This release presents the complete original LP Barretto para bailar, which was Ray Barretto's debut album as a leader. For 40 years, conguero and bandleader Ray Barretto was one of the leading forces in Latin jazz. His hard, compelling playing style graced the recordings of saxophonists Gene Ammons, Lou Donaldson, and Sonny Stitt, pianist Red Garland, and guitarists Wes Montgomery and Kenny Burrell. He is credited for being the first U.S.A.-born percussionist to integrate the African-based conga drum into jazz. This fact has designated him as one of the early crossover artists in jazz, skilfully balancing his Latin leanings and his love for bebop throughout a long and successful career.