Salongo

Salongo is an album by the jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis, released in 1976 by Columbia. The album rose to No. 7 on the Billboard magazine Top Jazz Albums chart and No. 17 on the Top Soul Albums chart.

Overview
Salongo was produced by Maurice White and Charles Stepney.

Critical reception
Variety wrote: "More excellent jazz and jazz-rock from Ramsey Lewis and other fine musicians. Hear Slick, Aufu Oodu, Rubato, Brazilica, Nicole and the title tune, much with Brazilian and/or African rhythms running wild." Jason Elias of AllMusic wrote: "Those shocked or even dismayed by the lack of jazz on 1975's Don't It Feel Good would no doubt be pleasantly surprised by this. Released in 1976 and produced by Maurice White and Charles Stepney, Salongo offers a more substantial look at African and Latin styles." Elias added that "Salongo earns most of its raves by being one of the few albums of the time to sidestep commercial considerations. The effort is also one of Lewis's best at getting his eclectic nature and is more enjoyable than the better-selling Sun Goddess." Chris Albertson of Stereo Review called the album "very good" and described Lewis' performance as "sly." Albertson also stated: "Sure, Ramsey Lewis has a commercial that is, salable-sound, but it's a good one, and he still plays dynamic, funky piano. The influences here range from Sly Stone to Weather Report. This is by no means music that will live forever, but neither is it stillborn, which is more than can be said for much of what we hear today."

Personnel

 * Ramsey Lewis – piano
 * Derf Reklaw Raheem – flute, percussion, vocals
 * Jimmy Bryant – clavinet
 * Byron Gregory – guitar
 * Ron Harris – bass guitar
 * Steve Cobb – drums, vocals
 * Tang – vocals
 * Ndugu Leon Chancler - drums (on "Slick" only)
 * Ernie Watts - saxophone (on "Brazilica" only)