Cesar - Cesar 830 (1975)

01.Descarga 6:20

02.See Saw Affair 3:22

03.The Devil & Montezuma 6:00

04.Navidad Latino 3:30

05.Azucar 5:30

06.Gotta Get Away 3:36

07.Bridges 5:00

08.The Lady In My Life 5:29.

Arranged By, Conductor – Teo Macero

Bass – Harold Martin, Thomas Rutley

Bongos, Bells – Willis Colon

Congas – Francisco Aquabella

Drums – Tony Smith

Engineer – Stephen Jarvis

Flute – Hadley Caliman

Guitar – Jim Vincent, Joe Jammer, Stephen Busfield

Piano – Cesar Ascarrunz, Mark Levine, Merl Saunders

Producer – Bob Thiele

Saxophone [Alto] – Martin Fierro

Saxophone [Soprano] – Steve Marcus

Saxophone [Tenor] – Hadley Caliman, Martin Fierro

Timbales – Benny Velarde

Trombone – Jules Rowell

Trumpet – Joseph Ellis, Jr.

Vocals – Benny Velarde, Francisco Aquabella,Linda Tillery,Tony Smith,Willis Colon.

An excellent lost Latin Funk album from the early 70s west coast scene featuring a group led by Latin pianist and promoter Cesar Ascarrunz and including some of the greatest Latin and jazz players from the San Francisco scene at the time! Big names on the session include Francisco Aquabella, Benny Velarde, Steve Marcus, Hadley Caliman, and even Merl Saunders all coming together in a really hard-hitting Latin funk jam session that never lets up for a minute! The music is a mix of instrumental and vocal tracks grooving with a sound that's very much in the mode of the bigger early 70s Latin groups from LA and SF but with a freer-thinking sound, and a much more jazz-funk approach.

And here's a write up from Cesar's site:
CESAR 830 is a rare recording that highlights the exceptional musical ensemble that pianist-bandleader Cesar Ascarrunz led during his years as a San Francisco nightclub entrepreneur. With his Cesar's Latin All Stars, the house band at his venues Cesar's on Green Street and Cesar's Latin Palace in the Mission District, he forged this 1975 collaborative effort with Bob Thiele of Flying Dutchman Records and legendary jazz producer Teo Macero, who did Miles Davis' "Bitches Brew" and Dave Brubeck's "Take Five." CESAR 830 came out at the tail end of the Bay Area Latin rock boom almost 30 years ago and is an exceptional blend of Latino jazz rock fusion. It featured great musicians who together made an album that was ahead of its time. In the long run this album stands as a testament to Cesar Ascarrunz, the self-taught pianist and personality who arrived here as an immigrant from Bolivia and worked his way up to running for SF Mayor numerous times. As you listen to these jams recorded almost 30 years ago you will hear a music stretching out and representing a spirit of experimentation and creativity born out of flower power. You don't have to pull out the bell bottoms, beads and grow your hair long to fully enjoy this album; just turn it up and let the music take you away!.