Sure, there was a lot of Latin music surrounding conga player, vocalist, bandleader and super prolific recording artist Poncho Sanchez when he was growing up in Los Angeles. As a teenager in the late 1960s and early 1970s, however, rhythm and blues and soul also filled his world. As indicated by the title of this his 21st album as leader, Sanchez digs into these roots and calls in pioneers in the sound such as James Brown’s hornmen saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis and trombonist Fred Wesley. They’re in the groove on the title track, trading licks and having some fun with Sanchez taking on the Godfather of Soul’s center stage role. Better yet is “JB’s Strut,” an original number written by saxophonist Scott Martin, a member of Sanchez’s terrifically tight and ultra-syncopated band. This one burns. Also in for the session is vocalist Sam Moore of Sam & Dave fame, joining Sanchez for a vocal duet on the funky “Hitch To the Horse.” Label mate Ray Charles appears minimally on vocals on “One Mint Julep” with Billy Preston on B-3 as well as a straight-up version of his familiar “Mary Ann.” More typical numbers come from the pens of Sanchez and the guys in his hugely talented, jazz-infused band with offerings like the salsa infected “El Shing-A-Ling.” David Torres’ big organ and the group’s big horns prevail on “Saints & Sinners” and a ton of percussion satiates “Not Necessarily.” As if dawn was breaking and the dance party was winding down to its finale, the mood changes with a beautifully compelling David Torres’ tribute to the late Mongo Santamaria, “El Tambor del Mongo.” It begins with guest bata player Francisco Aguabella alone at his drum.  The band enters with a warm, gentleness caressing the lovely melody. A certain mournfulness lingers yet in the rhythmic expression there remains a celebration of life. Beautiful.