In mid-2025, Descarga! unveiled a limited-edition pressing of Conga Soul—the complete 1962 masterpiece by Candido Camero, plus one rare bonus track—culled from an original stereo tape source and pressed on heavyweight 180g vinyl in a run of just 500 copies.This is more than a reissue; it’s a time capsule from the early ’60s, spotlighting the trailblazing conguero whose innovations reshaped jazz percussion as we know it.
Recorded in 1962 during one of Candido’s prime years as a bandleader, Conga Soul captures his seamless fusion of Afro‑Cuban rhythms and jazz sensibility. The set features Lalo Schifrin at the piano—credited with all arrangements—and Jimmy Cleveland on trombone.
It’s a superb meeting of minds: Candido—the first to play multiple tuneable congas and develop melodic conga techniques—locks in with Schifrin’s elegant charts and Cleveland’s trombone voice against a backdrop of resonant ensemble interplay.
Track Listing (Complete LP + Bonus)
Side A
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Conga Soul
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The Lady Is A Tramp
Side B
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Candido Cocktail (Bonus Track)
Why This Reissue Matters
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It preserves an early example of Afro‑Cuban jazz led by the man behind melodic conga playing, showcasing his role in pioneering modern Latin jazz techniques.
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The album’s groove bridges classic Cuban roots and jazz swing, making it one of Candido’s most accessible yet innovative early leader dates.
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The inclusion of a bonus track makes this release a must-have for collectors and the only official pressing in this format available on vinyl today.
Born Cándido Camero Guerra on April 22, 1921 in Havana, Candido moved to New York in 1946 and quickly became a first-call conga innovator, performing with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Billy Taylor, Stan Kenton, and Charlie Parker.
His revolutionary approach—playing multiple tuneable congas, bongos, a cowbell, guiro—all as a one-person setup—set new standards for percussionists worldwide.
Candido recorded more than 17 albums as a leader—including Beautiful (1971, Blue Note) and Inolvidable with Graciela (Chesky Records)—and received honors like the NEA Jazz Masters Award (2008) and a Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2009).
He passed away in New York on November 7, 2020, at the age of 99, leaving behind a legacy as jazz’s “master of a thousand fingers”.
Conga Soul is not simply an artifact—it’s proof of a moment where jazz and Afro-Cuban traditions converged in virtuosic harmony. The new limited pressing gives listeners rare access to Candido’s melodic artistry and rhythmic invention in pristine vinyl sound. Whether you're a longtime fan or newly discovering Afro‑Cuban jazz, this reissue offers a vivid and essential listening experience.
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