Review of a Stan Kenton Orchestra Recording

Cuban Fire contains ten compositions by Johnny Richards for the Kenton orchestra. In the spring of 1956, Kenton recorded seven of these compositions and they are worth revisiting.

The title Cuban Fires showcases various sections of the orchestra between solid walls of sound and really outstanding solos. For Valiant Congo there are terrific sax and trumpet solos that suggest what is to come in track six Festival of Fools.

Others of Mr. Richards’ wonderfully expressive compositions are Reminiscences, Who Knows, The Fair One Dances, and Three Hearts, which quickly move ahead by way of rich sonority and hard driving energy.

From th 1960 session, Valiant Congo and Festival of Fools are not to be missed!