Kudos to Verve Records for their Talkin' Verve series. To the unhip, Talkin' Verve is a series of reissues by the pioneers of righteous jazz grooves that folks like the Brand New Heavies and Us3 are celebrating. Nothing beats the originals, though, and this time out it's Bobo's turn to shine.

Bobo is the original king of the East L.A. Latin jazz scene. Every bit as influential and godlike as Tito Puente, it was Bobo who first did "Evil Ways" with a guy named Carlos Santana. While Santana's solo remake nabbed all the glory, Willie Bobo kicked out a slightly rougher and a bit more eiree version. Bobo also salsified such classic soul instrumentals as "Grazing in the Grass" and "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy," imbibing the original potent concoctions with flutes, congas, shakers, and enough groove for a million records. Those three songs, plus other covers and Bobo originals, make this edition of Talkin' Verve well worth owning.

While the vocal numbers aren't as electrifying, they're few and far between. If you're not a corpse, you'll get funky on this jagged little pill. (While you're at it, the Talkin' Verve discs of Hammond organ king Jimmy Smith and guitarist Wes Montgomery are also must- haves.)

-Jason Josephes