Customer Reviews

Original Latin Dance King

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

 

 

Bandleader Xavier Cugat is frequently looked down on by some Latin music purists, but I guess that's their loss. This is a fab collection with a generous cross-section of Cugat's work on the Columbia label, from 1941-57, featuring swinging hits like "Babalu" and "Bim Bam Bum," and tons of talent including singers such as Tito Rodriguez, Miguelito Valdes and Abbe Lane (fresh from her work with Tito Puente) as well as Cugat's top-flight band, which never quite gets the credit it deserves. Yeah, sure, this stuff is kitschy and contrived, but these guys also really rocked(!) There's some seriously hot percussion going on in the background, and even the songs, taken on their own cornball terms, are a lot of fun. This is probably one of the best-programmed Cugat collections you're ever likely to come across. Check it out!

This album has great timeless music. Before the latin craze of Ricky Martin, Shakira and Enrique Iglesias, these guys were setting the stage for La Vida Loca...

I give this CD 4 stars because 9 selections to me are fantastic. [Coco Seco, Suavecito, Miami Beach Rumba [A+] , Yo quiero un Mambo, Mambo Jambo [an A+], Mambo Gordo, Besame Mucho, Bread Love and Cha Cha Cha, Cuban Mambo[A++]. I don't care for the selections of Miguelito Valdes [probably from the early fortys. Abbe Lane is a beautiful woman and had great style and voice but these selections on here are certainly not her best. A great recording of Abbe Lane's is "ANNA" {El Negro Zumbon] recorded with Tito Puente. However Xavier Cugat is the absolute BEST ever.