I have an direct-to-disc audiophile Cal Tjader LP and another SACD (stereo-only) of a concert done in Aspen in 1968. The SACD is "Latin+Jazz = Cal Tjader Quintet". The LP is "Cal Tjader - Huracan". Both are very well recorded and worth trying to find.
Tjader is actually Swedish descent, born in St. Louis in 1925. He played with the Lionel Hampton Band. Hamp was a jazz master of the xylophone. Tjader also played with Dave Brubeck.
I just bought the La Onda Va Bien SACD so am looking forward to hearing how the multichannel is done, whether mostly ambience or instrument localizations. I'll probably listen to the disc this weekend.
If you like the Latin sound, he really mixes the xylophone with the rhythms well. Great find!!!
Thanks for your post, since I had not seen/read about this SACD and looked for it and as luck would have it found it today at a local Media Play.