Afro-Cuban (album)

Afro-Cuban
Studio album by Kenny Dorham
Released	1955
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) Afro-Cuban (1955) 'Round About Midnight at the Cafe Bohemia (1956) Alternative cover 10" Vinyl (1955) artwork

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. Two years later, Blue Note decided to add three tracks and issue an LP (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.^[1]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[2]

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".^[2]

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)

References