Cachao y su Descarga 77 is the first album recorded as a leader by Cachao in the United States, following his exile from Cuba in 1962. It was recorded in July 1976 under the supervision of musicologist René López, who was responsible for organizing the sessions. The LP was released in 1977 by Salsoul to critical acclaim. The songs included in the release are in the descarga format, i.e. improvised jam sessions, and were performed by a predominantly Cuban lineup featuring trumpeter Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros, percussionist Carlos "Patato" Valdés and flautist Gonzalo Fernández, among others.