Agua Dulce

Vibes player Cal Tjader was one of the leading figures in Latin jazz. Based in California, he recorded for Fantasy throughout the 50s before moving on to Verve, where he achieved international success with his album Soul Sauce, with its dance floor-friendly title track. He then set up his own label, Skye, before re-signing to Fantasy in 1971.

Agua Dulce was the second album made after his return and features some fine young Latin musician such as Pete and Coke Escovedo. It's a mix of funk, Latin and early electronics with spectacular effect, most notably on the cover of the Rolling Stones' Gimme Shelter. Elsewhere the out-and-out Latin of Ran Kan Kan and Descarga show how good the band is on this album. The title track is a mellow take of a cut written by Shuggie Otis.