The Cuban Jam Sessions were a series of records produced and released by the New York record label Panart in the late 50’s. The series started when bass player Israel Lopez (Cachao) would gather a group of musicians and began recording late night/early morning jam sessions in Havana Cuba in 1957. The culmination of their efforts would result in probably the most influential form of Latin American music and the creation of the descarga, a musical improvisation or literally a “letting loose”.
Most of the songs on these records are standards and not much is new in terms of musical form. The vocabulary of popular Cuban music, the mix of European and afro-cuban influence can be heard throughout these tracks. It was more or less the minimal, raw approach taken to the music – a move away from the more orchestrated/sugar-coated mambo sound of the time. Much like American jazz, which similarly began composing “music in the moment”. Theses records had some success when originally released, however it is said that their influence reached many other musicians and genres of Latin American music – from Latin Jazz, Salsa, to Cumbia, to most present day forms of tropical music. Please enjoy.
1. Cachao y Su Ritmo Caliente: Cogele el Golpe
2. Cachao y Su Ritmo Caliente: Descarga Cubana
3. Cachao y Su Ritmo Caliente: Sorpresa de Flauta
4. Cachao y Su Ritmo Caliente: Estudio En Trompeta
5. Julio Gutierrez: Theme On Mambo
7. Niño Rivera: Montuno Guajiro
8. Fajardo and His All-Stars: La Flauta de Jose
9. Fajardo and His All-Stars: La Charanga
Super Sonido 
These records are so good. Found that Julio Gutierrez vol 2 just last week. Amazing stuff.