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More world music hits of the past, this time from Latin America and Africa.

Perez Prado was a distinguished Cuban musician and composer of numerous hits including Patricia, which made it to the No.1 spot in the US charts in 1958. Written by Herbie Hancock for his 1962 album Takin’ Off, Watermelon Man was popularized a year later by Cuban percussionist Mongo Santamaria. At about the same time, Ray Barretto, a New Yorker of Puerto Rican descent and another Latin percussionist, was enjoying the success of his El Watusi. The musicians in Tabou Combo, a band formed in Haiti but resident mostly in New York, may have changed in the 40 years of its existence but the essential spirit, the rhythm of compas, lives on in all their songs including their biggest success: New York City.

Tracks played in this week's programme:

Country: Cuba
Title: Patricia
Artist: Perez Prado
CD Title: Our Man in Havana
Label: RCA Camden
Cat. Number: 74321 588102

Country: USA/Cuba
Title: Watermelon Man
Artist: Mongo Santamaria
CD Title: Rock Instrumentals
Label: Rhino
Cat. Number: R271604

Country: South Africa/USA
Title: Grazing in the Grass
Artist: Hugh Masekela
CD Title: Still Grazing
Label: Blue Thumb
Cat. Number: no number

Country: USA/Puerto Rico
Title: El Watusi
Artist: Ray Barretto
CD Title: Rock Instrumentals
Label: Rhino
Cat. Number: R271604

Country: Cameroon
Title: Soul Makossa
Artist: Manu Dibango
CD Title: African Soul: Best of Manu Dibango
Label: Mercury
Cat. Number: 534766-2

Country: UK/Guyana/Jamaica
Title: The Message
Artist: Cymande
CD Title: The Message
Label: Castle
Cat. Number: CMEDD1106

Country: Haiti
Title: New York City
Artist: Tabou Combo
CD Title: Eighth Sacrement
Label: Decca
Cat. Number: SKL 5227

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