José Rizo, the popular and influential disc jockey who hosts the long-running Jazz On The Latin Side on KKJZ (KJazz 88.1 FM) in Los Angeles is also notable as a bandleader and songwriter. In 2011 he founded Mongorama, a nonet inspired by conguero Mongo Santamaria’s early 1960s band. Mariposas Cantan is their third album, following Mongorama and Baila Que Baila...

Mariposas Cantan represents another slice of Latin Jazz. It's an album that is easy to fall in love with even if you're not usually a fan of the genre.

These 12 recordings (1 hr, 05 min, 33 sec) illustrate wonderfully why Latin Jazz is so beloved and diverse. There's your standard-esque piece, that even if you're not a follower of Latin Jazz you'll instantly recognise the genre, as well as pieces that feel a little fresher and modern ('Como Fue', for example).

This is the perfect album to kick back and soak up... or dance to.

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Nick Smithson