Customer Reviews

Mambo

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Let me first warn you...this cd and artist are not for the musically faint of heart. Yma Sumac's musical style is...different to the extreme. I have likened her to an operatically trained vocalist who went to town on mambo music. She basically uses her voice as another instrument in many parts of the cd and jumps from octave to octave, it is very rare to actually hear her sing lyrics. That being said, her voice is simply awesome. It is one of the most versatile and powerful voices that I have ever heard, I truly believe that she would have been a trip to see live. If you are a fan of hotfire mambo music with a twist, or are looking for something new and totally not-normal I would highly recommend this cd. It is an excellent way to become introduced to one of the most unique musicians you will ever hear. My personal favorite is Chicken Talk. However, the entire cd is just a fascinating listen. But be warned, I have worried a lot of people in my dormitory when I have played this cd, and you probably will too.

I love this CD. Yma Sumac is an extraordinary vocalist with a mind-blowing range. Her voice is sexy and strong and, at times, bird-like. (Supposedly, she had acquired her pipes from having been raised high in the Andes mountains in Peru, which strengthened her lungs from the altitude). Sadly, most of my friends and family are put off by her singing and find it very annoying, so I don't get to play this album at parties very much, but I don't care. I suppose that some people can't recognize talent if it grabs them by the shoulders and caterwauls in their face. However, the person who introduced me to Yma Sumac compared her to Diamanda Galas. With all due respect to Ms. Galas, I find that demeans Yma's talent. On this album, in addition to Yma's beautiful singing, there is also the enchanting arrangements of Billy May, who did a lot of arranging for Frank Sinatra at the better part of his career as well as other illustrious singers of that era. "Mambo!" is brassy and bold, a must for any Latin music fan.

I received this album as a gift for my birthday. Although I had heard of Yma Sumac, I had never heard her sing. Imagine how excited I was to open this gift!

You have to take into account the time when this recording was originally made - the early '60s, and the genre - Latin music. If you're not into that kind of music, you may not enjoy this album.

If you like Carmen Miranda, you will be absolutely dazzled by Yma Sumac's range and intensity. Her spellbinding voice moves from contralto to coloratura soprano, and incorporates operatic and jazz stylings. Remember that this was recorded in the days long before digital enhancement!

I'm no expert on Yma (rumors include her being an Incan princess), but the Latin beats of her music are infectious. Even if the backup vocals sound a little dated compared to modern recordings, remember that this album was recorded over 40 years ago.

And it was HOLLYWOOD!!!

Having grown up in the 50s, I remembered the name Yma Sumac when I was perusing the 'not-for-public-consumption' (not at the front of the store) CDs in a music store. Curious, I purchased the "Mambo" CD. After first hearing it, I said to myself 'This is weird.' After a second and third hearing, I realized I was hooked. The exotic stretches of her vocal range were something I learned to love, like a second Martini. Who else can reach the highest of soprano heights and the lowest of gutteral grunts and get away with it so gracefully as the supreme Yma???

...unless you've heard "Mambo," think again! In a departure from her familiar, more formal, Incan-based work, Yma explodes all over the place on this collection. Oddly, Yma herself downplays this recording, explaining in her stage act that it was "just a studio album." She doesn't perform any of the numbers, and more's the pity. The brassy '50s-styled arrangements make a wonderful complement to the familiar yet amazing 4-octave voice, displaying a side of the diva not generally recognized except by diehard fans. Together with her 1972 rock album, "Miracles" (released on the London label and not, to my knowledge, available on CD), "Mambo" represents Yma's amazing versatility with material. Well worth the "price of admission." Check it out!

Yma Sumac was one of the odder products of 50's pop music. Her vocal range went from very high to very low notes. On this record, Sumac is accompanied by Billy May and His Orchestra, which may seem a little incongrouous; but these compositions were all written by her then husband-manager Moises Vivanco. The end result: a swinging big band, and a hot singer provide a good sample of the art of South-American music. -Darin Tysdal

This CD is not only the most "fun" CD I have heard in ages, the musical arrangements are top notch and Ms. Sumac is even more amazing than on Voice of the Xtabay. The Musicians (yes, they deserve a capital "M") are excellent, well-coordinated, playing as tightly as one, and yet inspired, sounding like they are totally "in the moment."

For the most part, the melodies, especially on "Bo Mambo," are beautiful and haunting. They are saved from being overmelodramatic by the intense, driving, yet "partylike" atmosphere generated by the orchestra.

Good humor abounds on this CD. On "Malambo No. 1" Ms. Sumac's vocal antics make you laugh out loud with delight. Her trademark "growl" is used in full force in a couple of numbers, adding to the fun atmosphere.

I could go on and on. However, you have to hear this CD to fully appreciate it. Buy it now, and be prepared to be amazed, entertained, and totally satisfied with your purchase!

in an nutshell: I had to copy this CD on personal tapes about 10 times to everybody whithout exception who heard this fabulous striking overhelming sound. Even to people who naormally don't appreciate Mambo, Salsa very much.

Cuando por primera vez escuche la voz de Yma Sumac en una recopilacion de canciones de Ultralounge simplemente me produjo un apetito voraz por escuchar mas de esa voz que lograba trasmitir todo un mundo de maravillas tan exoticamente nuevas a la realidad urbana que vivimos. Este es definitivamente el mejor CD de la serie grabada por esta maravillosa mujer pero "Voice of the Xtabay" y "Legend of the Jivaro" son tambien muy buenos. Altamente recomendable e indispensable pieza de todo aquel se precie de tener una buena coleccion de musica. No lo pienses y compralo ya, saludos Horacio.

I first purchased this album on a 10 inch 33 1/3 record back in the 1950's. I had forgotten all about her and her fantastic vocals until recently when I heard she had passed away. When I did a search for her on amazon I was happy to find that there was a cd of her Mombo album and it had been mostly digitailly remastered. Now I can listen to her once again in clear scratchless song.
Fred in NJ