number of instruments being recorded live in the studio. Release and reception The Billboard Magazine sales tracking reported considerable commercial success during the period of release of the original LP issue. Critical reception was also positive, as evidenced by reviews from Down Beat and other music periodicals during 1956. AllMusic's Scott Yanow described the album as "one of Stan Kenton's more memorable concept albums of the 1950s". Stuart Broomer described the album as "admirable" and highlighted the "excellent solo contributions" and the "extraordinary precision and energy" by the musicians. In contrast, Jack Fuller writing for the Chicago Tribune considered the album "bombastic and tame", comparing the music to that of popular bandleader Xavier Cugat. Upon hearing the album for the first time, bandleader and timbalero Tito Puente described it as "strong and brash", noting its progressive style. Track listing Tracks 1-6 comprised the original Capitol T-731, Cuban Fire! LP (1956) Track 7 is first issued on Capitol T-20244 (UK), Fabulous Alumni of Stan Kenton LP (1963) Track 8 & 9 are first issued on Creative World ST-1066, Kenton By Request Vol. 5 LP (1972) Track 10 is first issued on Creative World ST-1040, Kenton By Request Vol. 2 LP (1966) Track 11 is first issued on Capitol, M-11027, Capitol Jazz Classics Vol. 2: Stan Kenton LP (1972) Track 12 is first issued on Creative World ST-1069, Kenton By Request Vol. 6 LP (1990) Recording sessions May 22–24, 1956 in New York City at the Riverside Plaza Hotel Tracks 1-7 (in mono) These were recorded in the three days of sessions in New York but "Tres Corazones" was not included as part of the suite on the original Cuban Fire! LP at the behest of Johnny Richards. September 19–21, 1960 in Hollywood CA at Capitol Tower Studios Tracks 8-12 (in stereo) Gene Roland's "Ten Bars Ago" was recorded on Sept. 21 and has been re-issued on the 4 CD set Stan Kenton Retrospective - The Capitol Years (1992, Blue Note Records, ASN B000ULGNUU) Stan Kenton's "Midnight Tales" was also recorded on Sept. 21 but has never been issued. Personnel Musicians May 22–24, 1956 Piano, Conductor – Stan Kenton Alto saxophone – Lennie Niehaus Tenor saxophone – Bill Perkins, Lucky Thompson Baritone saxophone – Bill Root Trumpet – Al Mattaliano, Ed Leddy, Lee Katzman, Phil Gilbert, Sam Noto, Vinnie Tanno French Horn – Irving Rosenthal, Julius Watkins Trombone – Bob Fitzpatrick, Carl