Bongo Rock

iTunes Review

How did Michael Viner & company manage to turn a decade old novelty hit into a frantic street jam that helped ignite a new era in pop music? The answer is surprisingly simple: just add bongos. The legendary cut here is “Apache”, an urgent reworking of The Shadows 1960 hit that inspired kids from the South Bronx to move their feet in ways previously unimaginable. “Apache” can be seen as a sort of surrogate father to the breakdancing movement, but the historical prominence of this one cut should not overshadow the many remarkable moments to be found on this seminal album. The Incredible Bongo Band was comprised of a group of veteran session musicians and every cut on Bongo Rock features impeccable musicianship and crisp, sample-ready production. While only a few numbers, “Bongo Rock” and “Let There Be Drums” foremost among them, approach the breathless intensity of “Apache” Bongo Rock is a vital historical document that is still capable of packing a dance floor.