Musicians:
Jimmy Cozier (alto saxophone), Guillermo Edgehill (bass), Jerome Goldschmidt (batá, tambora / Afro-Cuban percussion), Mongo Santamaria (congas), Dave Valentin, Hubert Laws (flute), Eddie Rodriguez (percussion, vocals), Dario Eskenazi (piano), Craig Rivers (tenor & soprano saxophone), Johnny Almendra (timbales), Eddie Allen (trumpet).

- Mongo Santamaria and Friends "Mambo Mongo" !
- Part of the Chesky Original Masters Series !
- One-Step plating and pressing on 180 gram standard black vinyl !

Chesky Records is reissuing Mongo Santamaria's classic Latin jazz album Mambo Mongo on September 18, 2026, as part of its Chesky Original Masters reissue series. Mongo Santamaria's late-period gem features Santamaria, his stirring group of the era, and guest flutists Hubert Laws and Dave Valentin. Mambo Mongo, which was recorded on March 30–31, 1992, was the 100th release by the Chesky label and Santamaria's only album for the company. The audiophile recording, produced by label head David Chesky, is typically impeccable, with true-to-life sound that takes listeners into the studio with the musicians.

The album features the superb Hubert Laws on "Dark Before the Dawn" and "Are They Only Dreams", showcases Dave Valentin on the infectious "Caribbean Sunrise" and "Los Ninos Del Mundo", and features such soloists as pianist Dario Eskenazi, Craig Rivers on tenor and soprano saxophones, and alto saxophonist Jimmy Cozier. The climactic performance is "La Mogolla", which teams Santamaria with three other percussionists for 9½ minutes of rhythmic excitement.

Mambo Mongo's welcome return brings back one of the high points of Chesky's impressive catalog and one of the highlights of Mongo Santamaria's prolific career. Reissued on a 180 gram One-Step pressing vinyl LP as part of the Chesky Original Masters Series.