An uptempo Latin song in a rhythmic hard-bop style—but still with Lucky Thompson's signature precision and intricacy. Though not strictly modal, the A section melody is diatonic to B♭7; the chords in this section alternate B♭ and A♭ triads for a B♭7sus sound. The bridge of the 32-measure head goes to a swinging 4-feel, with an elegant melody over colorful changes that modulate to E♭ and D♭. On the recording, the solos also swing; the solo form is B♭ blues with a bridge, a variation of the "rhythm changes" bridge with chromatically descending II-V7s. The head changes could also be used for solos, either Latin or swinging.
On the recording, there are several different bass figures in the Latin parts of the song. These are shown in the lead sheets. There is a 16-measure intro which begins with solo bass, adding drums and then piano. There's also twelve measures after the solos to set up the out head, with the rhythm section entering in a different order: drums, bass, and piano. The coda fades out on a two-measure vamp. All of these have different bass lines, in 1-, 2-, and 4-measure patterns. In addition the out head bass line is different from the in head; this is not shown in the lead sheet but it's essentially the same line that sets up the out head, adapted to alternating B♭ and A♭ chords.
For another similar Latin song by Lucky Thompson, check out
Open Haus.
Richard Davis and Connie Kay first recorded together in 1962 on John Lewis' album "Essence", which features arrangements by
Gary McFarland. They appear together on several other recordings in the '60s, including albums by
Sonny Stitt, Milt Jackson, and Chet Baker; the latter's 1965 "Baker's Holiday" has the same rhythm section as "
Lucky Strikes."
Another recording of
Mumba Neua is on tenor saxophonist Michael Blake's 2006 tribute album to Lucky Thompson, "The World Awakes."
