Album of the Day

Originally a Bay Area R&B group called The Malibus, Malo was among the first wave of Latin-influenced rock bands in the early 1970s. Headed by vocalist Arcelio Garcia and guitarist Jorge Santana (Carlos' brother), the band signed to Warner Bros. and promptly produced a classic self-titled debut album. MALO's half-dozen originals each stretch past six minutes without ever dragging, thanks to arrangements that move effortlessly from Chicago-esque horn hooks to driving electric guitar riffs to salsa rhythms. Highlights include “Nena,” “Café” and Top 20 single, “Suavecito,” which decades later would be sampled in Sugar Ray's chart-topping “Every Morning.” The only album by the original line-up (a version of the group remains active today), MALO is the band's high-water mark, and essential listening for any fan of Latin music.