One of the most prolific conga players in the history of Afro-Cuban music, Louis "Sabu" Martinez spent his childhood beating rhythms on tin cans on 111th Street in New York City`s Spanish Harlem. In 1946, he began a long association with drummer Art Blakey, and joined Dizzy GIllespie`s band by 1948, following the murder of the influential conga player Chano Pozo. Despite being such a much-in-demand session player, he struggled with heroin for years until he overcame his addiction in 1956, formed his new quintet and recorded three history-making albums in less than three years. `Safari With Sabu`, probably the most celebrated of Sabu`s works, combines both African and Latin elements with the American jazz tradition, resulting in the missing link between bop and Sun Ra. Recorded with three congas (including Ray Barreto), bongos, timbales and tympani, along with complementary tenor and baritone sax, trombone, and an unobtrusive bass presence by Oscar Pettiford, 1957`s `Safari With Sabu` is now back on shiny 180gr vinyl again for your listening pleasure.
SIDE A:
1. Jeanette (9:43)
2. Dawn (3:48)
3. Unga (6:28)
SIDE B:
1. Nadenga (12:13)
2. Safari (10:27)

Recorded at Webster Hall, June 13, 1957 and in RCA Victor Studio No. 3 on June 6, 1957.
Sabu: bongo, tympani
Ray Baretto, conga
Ray "Mosquito" Romero, conga
Evelio Quintero, conga
Steve Berrios, timbales
Jack Hitchcock, vibes/trombone
Cecil Payne, baritone sax
Gene Allen, oboe/tenor sax
Oscar Pettiford, bass