Customer Reviews

Cugi's Cocktails (Dig)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was very happy when I found out that Cugi's Cocktails was to be re-issued by UMG/Verve, although I would have been more happy if this re-issue came from America instead of Germany since I think I would have got some more information on the sleeve in that case. But I have been in contact with Verve in USA, and they said at that time that they were not interested in re-releasing the Cugat-LPs from Mercury, as it was not jazz. Anyway this is one of the very good LPs Cugat made for Mercury in the late 50s and early 60s. Cugi's Cocktails is probably the most "jazzy" record of the 9 LPs from that time, and the orchestra plays wonderfully as it always did. I - and many Cugat fan colleagues of mine all over the world - hope that Verve (Germany or USA) will re-release the rest of the LPs too - The Best of Cugat, Viva Cugat, Twist with Cugat, Cugat's Golden Goodies, Most Popular Movie Hits as Styled by Cugat, Cugat Plays Continental Hits, Cugat Plays the Music of Lecuona and Cugat Caricatures. There are also some recordings from the beginning of the 50s in Mercury's vaults, which would be very welcome on the market again.

This album of wonderful dance tunes is for me one of the very best albums that Xavier Cugat ever made.I first bought the LP when I was a young teenager at school and was spellbound by the marvellous rhythms of Latin American music and in particular the way in which Cugi performed them.
I have many of Cugi's marvellous recordings but this has got to be my favorite.
This album just oozes CLASS! This is not just a dance band recording but a shining example of just how wonderfully it can be done.The orchestrations are just amazing - many of Cugi's albums may now sound quite dated but not this one. It could have been recorded yesterday it sounds so fresh and new.
The album was recorded in New York City in 1963 yet the sound is stunning.
Every track is in glorious stereo with superb sound and great channel separation.The orchestra is in tip-top form and they really go for it on this recording. With fabulous tunes and infectious rhythms this has got to be one of the best dance albums ever recorded by any artist.
Cugi's old trademarks are still there, the rising and falling xylophone/ vibraphone,the jazzy organ solos and the unmistakable sound of his brass and reed sections. Those slurpy saxes are,well very sexy!
These are fabulous tracks and I recommend to you this CD without reservation.
Thank you friends for reading my review and I wish you much joy listening to your music.

The cha cha, mambo, rhumba and bossa nova...ah, the old dances and great memories of the past for me. This is great music to pour a cold one or two (or more!!) and kick back and relax to.

This is one swinging record...oh, I mean CD.

For those who like the latin Big Band sound this is a fabulous set of recordings, crisp, bright, clear, and flavorful. Most of the major dance steps are represented and this music gets you moving. I found this first downloading several from iTunes. They were so good I had to have the CD.

My girlfriend taught me to Cha Cha using this music, I highly recommend this collection. One note, if you are looking for Babalou, it's not here.

I don't know much about Xavier Cugat - I bought this based on other recommendations from Amazon. I wasn't disappointed, happily - this is a great CD. The orchestration is top-notch, and doesn't feel dated (as other reviewers have mentioned). The sound mix is excellent as well - it sounds like it was recorded on today's sound equipment. Check this album out for great orchestrations from an entertaining bandleader.

One of my favorite albums. Worth it just for his version of "One Mint Julep".

Perfect, timeless music. I'm not familiar with Cugat except by name, but am very please with this record. I'd love to see more reissues like this one. The man's a brilliant bandleader.

Picked up this CD since it had an amazing song from the movie Down with Love. If you are looking for some jazzy lounge music which will take you back you might like this.

love ..love ...love this cd...reminds me of my parent's days...classic music of the 50's and 60's...bring back good memories of my childhood..