The best Afro-Cuban Jazz albums
of the 1970s.
Where to start with 1970–1979 Afro-Cuban jazz — with a one-line read on why each one matters.
Top of the 1970s — Afro-Cuban jazz
Top picks from 1970–1979, ranked by where we would start.
John Lee Hooker
Get Back Home in the U.S.A.
A gritty blend of blues and rhythm that captures the essence of urban life with raw storytelling and infectious grooves.
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John Lee Hooker
I Feel Good!
A jubilant blend of blues and rhythm, infused with Hooker’s signature guitar riffs and uplifting vocals.
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Joan Baez
Come from the Shadows
A reflective tapestry of folk and protest, woven with Baez's haunting vocals and poignant storytelling.
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Joan Baez
Honest Lullaby
A soothing blend of folk and pop, wrapped in Baez's warm, resonant vocals and thoughtful storytelling.
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Dizzy Gillespie
The Bop Session
A vibrant fusion of bebop and Afro-Cuban rhythms, where intricate melodies dance over dynamic improvisations.
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Dizzy Gillespie
The Real Thing
A vibrant fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms and bebop improvisation that showcases Gillespie’s trumpet mastery and innovative spirit.
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Sam Rivers
Crystals
A vibrant fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms and avant-garde jazz, creating a complex tapestry of sound that is both energetic and introspective.
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Sonny Fortune
Waves of Dreams
A rich tapestry of modal jazz entwined with Afro-Cuban rhythms and exploratory improvisation that invites deep introspection.
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Sonny Fortune
Awakening
A vibrant fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms and modal improvisation, blending intricate melodies with dynamic jazz textures.
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Julius Hemphill
Coon Bid'ness
A vibrant confluence of jazz improvisation and Afro-Cuban rhythms, rich with emotional depth and bold experimentation.
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Julius Hemphill
Raw Materials and Residuals
A vibrant fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms and avant-garde jazz, creating an intricate tapestry of sound that challenges conventional boundaries.
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Hamiet Bluiett
Resolution
A vibrant fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms and avant-garde jazz, weaving intricate melodies through improvisational landscapes.
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