Best of Dance Mania

Tito Puente | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 13, 1994)
• Original Release Date: September 13, 1994
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony U.S. Latin
• ASIN: B000005LS3
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #379,521 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Dance Mania [Original Master Take #9]

2. Mambo Gozón [original master take #5][Version]

3. A Gozar Timbero [out take #4][Outtake]

4. A Gozar Timbero [Original Master Take #5]

5. El Cayuco [out take #1][Outtake]

6. El Cayuco [Original Master Take #7]

7. Con Sandunga [Original Master Take #8]

8. Varsity Drag [Original Master Take #2]

9. Si Te Contara [Original Master Take #2]

10. Si Te Contara [out take #3][Outtake]

11. Agua Limpia Todo [Original Take #3]

12. Guancona [out take #4][Outtake]

13. Guancona [Original Master Take #7]

14. Estoy Siempre Junto a Ti [out take #5][Outtake]

15. Estoy Siempre Junto a Ti [Outtake #6][Take]

16. Cuando Te Vea [Original Master Take #4]

17. Separala Tambien [Original Master Take #5]

18. Mi Chiquita Quiere Bembe [Original Master #5][Take]

19. Una Mujer [out take #3][Outtake]

20. Una Mujer [Original Master Take #6]

See all 23 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

This is the most outstanding remaster of 1958's Dance Mania, boasting Tito Puente at the peak of his popularity and the height of New York mambomania in the late 1950s. The sound quality of the collection is incredible, capturing with vivid clarity the sentient brass, lush layers of percussion, and big-band interplay on some of the most superb interpretations of Cuban son montuno, bolero, guaguancó, cha cha, and mambo. The Best of Dance Mania saunters and struts with a sensual Cuban passion that makes one want to grab a partner and mambo in pumps and beehive across the living room floor. But these are only a few of the reasons to adore this CD. Some of the greatest Cuban musicians were in Tito's big band at this time: vocalist Santitos Colon and his classic, silken voice; Ray Barretto and Francisco Aguabella and their surefooted congas; and a youthful Doc Severinsen--not to mention the astounding timbale and vibe work from Tito himself. Overall, the quality of musicianship is stellar. While Buena Vista Social Club and its subsequent--albeit well-deserved--spinoff albums continue to charm American ears, The Best of Dance Mania quietly sits under our noses, waiting for discovery by those interested not only in the era of Cuba's Tropicana nightclub, but in the raging scene that happened in America as well. --Karen Karleski

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The LP was great the cd is better., May 28, 2000

By 

Richard Phipps (Albany, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Best of Dance Mania (Audio CD)

I grew up in The Bronx where the party didn't begin until the Tito Puente Dance Mania was heard. This CD still holds up as one of the best Salsa recording around. The live performances I was able to attend watching Tito Puente; Tito Rodriguez and Machito are priceless memoriesI will never forget and this CD brings back those memories.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most of Original Lp, plus lots of alternate takes and more, November 28, 2006

By 

PH-50-NC "PH-50-NC" (Southeast USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Best of Dance Mania (Audio CD)

Note to collectors: contrary to the Allmusic website review, this compilation does not feature all the master tracks from both "Dance Mania" Lps, though it features 2/3 of them, plus a few alternate takes. Specifically, 9 of the 12 tracks on "Dance Mania" (rec. 1957) are here, and 8 of the 14 from the follow-up, "Dance Mania Vol. 2" (rec. 1960).
But you have probably already figured that out, as the CD is titled "Best of..." Not being a Puente expert, I don't know if it's a good tradeoff or not, having six alternate takes instead of the 9 original Lp tracks that are missing. But it's great music, remastered well, and can be had for a bargain from marketplace sellers.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Too hot to handle!, November 13, 2003

By 

Colin Hugh Doyle "C H Doyle" (Toronto ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Best of Dance Mania (Audio CD)

I was searching for just the right party music for a small gathering. Dancemania was so popular with my guests that after five minutes the furniture was moved and the dance began! Lets Mombo!!
No collection of Latin music is complete without Tito Puente, any album, any song-they're all golden.