SALUTE TO EDMUNDO ROS & HIS LATIN SOUND
Edmundo Ros & his orchestra. Strings Latino/Latin Hits I Missed. VOCALION catalogue no. CDLK 4114.Made in Austria, released in Britain by Dutton Vocalion in 2002. 
A gem from the string of Dutton Vocalion releases of classic easy listening and Latin instrumental albums from the vaults of DECCA Records’ pioneering Phase 4 series of music albums. This CD contains a remaster of two LPs from 1967-8 on one CD. Edmundo Ros and his Latin ensemble is in fine form here and on ‘Strings Latino’, he is augmented by a string section, making it a full orchestra. The concept of ‘Strings Latino’ is unique – it is nowhere lush like the Clebanoff Strings and James Last playing Latin – but Ros keeps his trumpets and saxophones up front with the percussion, while allowing the strings to swerve in and out of the key notes. This is music for a samba party, or pure nostalgia about the classic Latin easy sound associated with the prolific Ros. Listen to ‘Green Eyes’, ‘Felicidade’, ‘Delicado’ and his samba interpretation of Francis Lai’s ‘A Man and a Woman’ and you’ll be amazed. The swinging arrangement of ‘Mas Que Nada’ is one of the best ever. The selections from the original LP ‘Latin Hits I Missed’ are arranged more in keeping with Ros’ Big Band approach to Latin with bold brassy notes, and sparkling percussion interspersed with fiery piano keys...n one CD. Edmundo Ros and his Latin ensemble is in fine form here and on ‘Strings Latino’, he is augmented by a string section, making it a full orchestra. The concept of ‘Strings Latino’ is unique – it is nowhere lush like the Clebanoff Strings and James Last playing Latin – but Ros keeps his trumpets and saxophones up front with the percussion, while allowing the strings to swerve in and out of the key notes. This is music for a samba party, or pure nostalgia about the classic Latin easy sound associated with the prolific Ros. Listen to ‘Green Eyes’, ‘Felicidade’, ‘Delicado’ and his samba interpretation of Francis Lai’s ‘A Man and a Woman’ and you’ll be amazed. The swinging arrangement of ‘Mas Que Nada’ is one of the best ever. The selections from the original LP ‘Latin Hits I Missed’ are arranged more in keeping with Ros’ Big Band approach to Latin with bold brassy notes, and sparkling percussion interspersed with fiery piano keys.
Sadly, Maestro Edmundo Ros had passed away on 22 October 2011. Here is the eulogy on BBC news: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15414606 LONG LIVE his unforgettable music!
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