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In Guinea, Sabu means "the cause of something"... Well, here you go! While he is recording Jazz Espagnole, Sabu Martinez is making history. He doesn't know it, yet! Born in Spanish Harlem in 1930 Louis Martinez began being known as a "conguero" when he joined Joe Loco and the Lecuona Cuban Boys in 1947. When Chano Pozo died, he flew to NYC to ask Dizzy Gillespie if he could be his new conguero. Dizzy said yes. "I stayed about nine months with the band and that's when I cut my first recordings." Gillespie gave him the nickname Sabu. From 1949 to 1958 Sabu worked with drummer Art Blakey with whom he recorded several albums. In 1957 he founded his quintet and recorded the albums Palo Congo, Safari, and Sorcery. Then came Jazz Espagnole (1960) with a sextet. Shortly after the release of this album, when mentioning Sabu and his music, DJs at radio stations in the U.S. got used to say: "...and now let's listen to a Sabu's composition on his last latin jazz recording." Since then, everybody will automatically translate Jazz Espagnole by Latin jazz, and this new name will end up replacing the term Afro-Cuban jazz. Jazz Espagnole is a latin jazz must. Sabu has a unique crisp sound; partly so since he was left-handed. In this album we hear the influences of Art Blakey, Dizzy Gillespie, and Chico O'Farrill. There is the fiercy The Oracle and the nostalgic Delilah with brilliant solos by Marty Sheller and delicate interventions by pianist Arty Jenkins. Breakin' It In, Flamenco Ain't Bad and Woody'n You are set for inspired solos by sax alto Bobby Porcelli. Louie Ramirez is a subtle percussionnist all along. And most interesting are four short original solo pieces by Sabu. This reissue celebrates the 25th anniversary of his death, and yes, indeed, Sabu means "the cause of something"...
