Subjects:  1. Bolero    2. Cha-Cha    3. Cuban Pop    4. Latin    5. Latin Pop    6. Latin Pop/Rock    7. Mambo    8. Rhumba    9. Son   

Subjects:  1. Int'l & World Music    2. International    3. Latin    4. Mambo    5. V/a Compilations   

Reviews (2)

Classic Puente
This is classic stuff. Great arrangements of "Lullaby of Birdland," and "Take 5." I don't think you'll find these jazz standards played the same way anywhere else.
Jazz saxophonist says "Muy Bueno" ( spanish for very good)
Tito Puente won a grammy for this album, its well deserved. The title cut is awesome, Mambo Diablo starts out calm and builds to a powerhouse of premo latin jazz. If you like Tito Puente I strongly recommend this album.It contains many famous cuts and has a good variety of ballads and fastmoving tempos. Anyone with a musical background can apprecate Tito's music.If your background is limited this is a good one to get introduced tosalsa. I have only one qualm about Mambo Diablo, the CD could have beenlonger, at eight songs your are left wanting more. I liked this one, its agood addition to any collection. Muy Bueno ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Afro-Cuban Jazz    2. Big Band Latino    3. Cuban Jazz    4. Jazz    5. Latin    6. Latin Continuum    7. Latin Jazz    8. Latin Music    9. Latin Pop    10. Leader    11. Mambo    12. Salsa    13. Tropical   

Editorial Review

This is the most outstanding remaster of 1958's Read more

Reviews (3)

HOT CD
On July 17, 2005 I purchase Tito Puente's The Best Dance Mania & Dancemania 99, Live at Birdland If you're a Salsa/Mambo ON1or ON2 you are going to love these two CD's. The music back in the day has that perfect tempo to get your boogie on, so Mambo lover these are 2 hot CD's. Eddie from JC

Too hot to handle!
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!! The LP was great the cd is better.
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 TitoPuente; Tito Rodriguez and Machito are priceless memoriesI will neverforget and this CD brings back those memories. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Afro-Cuban Jazz    2. Big Band Latino    3. Cuban Jazz    4. Latin    5. Latin Continuum    6. Latin Jazz    7. Latin Music    8. Latin Pop    9. Leader    10. Mambo    11. Salsa    12. Tropical   

Features

• Import

Reviews (1)

Great sound quality, iffy song selection
P�rez Prado compilations have suffered from the haphazard inclusion of poor transfers of some songs alongside pristine remasters of others. The good news is that the 50 recordings in this collection benefit for the most part from the gradual upgrading of the P�rez Prado masters. As an overview for the novice, "Legendary" has a sound quality and a choice of songs that will broaden this artist's appeal. But there is bad news: P�rez Prado had a penchant in later years for re-recording his popular tunes in new styles, turning his mambos into cha-cha-chas, dengues and twists to keep them fresh. Whether or not that tactic worked, compilations often ignore the true mambos in favor of the re-recordings, and that is unfair to the first-time listener. "Legendary" goes so far as to include both the 1949 and the 1959 recordings of "Qu� rico el mambo" ("Mambo Jambo"), but in many cases only the newer non-mambos made this collection. As bad as that is, it is worse that, rather than include the #1 hit version of the 1958 smash "Patricia," the 1959 re-recording is included. And then there is the ultimate annoyance: "Why Wait," the B side of "Patricia" and one of the best cuts the King of the Mambo ever recorded, appears in a ridiculous 1967 re-recording rather than in the original. A compilation of 50 tracks should have included the original version of "Why Wait," which has NEVER appeared on CD. (A version with a twangy guitar overdub absent from the original single appeared on a BMG "Space Age Pop" collection and a Rhino "Cocktail Madness" compilation, but that is not what I am after.) I had hopes that the overall quality of this compilation would mean that someone had seen the light and brought out the ONLY significant P�rez Prado recording not yet issued on CD, but I was disappointed yet again. Apart from these gripes, there is a lot of value packed onto these three discs, so if you have no P�rez Prado CDs, this is probably a good set to get. You will, however, need to buy such others as "Cuban Originals" or "Lo mejor de lo mejor 2001" to get at the true genius of the man. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arranger    2. Big Band    3. Big Band Latino    4. Composer    5. Latin    6. Latin Continuum    7. Leader    8. Mambo    9. Salsa    10. Salsa/Merenge    11. Tropical   

Reviews (1)

Perfect
This cd is extremly out of this world ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Afro-Cuban Jazz    2. Big Band Latino    3. Boogaloo    4. Cuban Jazz    5. Fusion    6. Jazz    7. Latin    8. Latin Jazz    9. Latin Jazz Collections    10. Latin Music    11. Latin Pop    12. Mambo    13. New York Salsa    14. Post-Bop    15. Salsa    16. Tropical    17. V/a Compilations   

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (3)

Disappointing to this I Love Lucy Fan
Well, I hate to be so harsh, but I've actually thrown the disc out after listening to it once.I was expecting to hear the songs the way they were done on the show (I am a die-hard fan) -- with Desi's strong vibrant voice and upbeat tempos.And yes, there are moody songs as well, done with beautiful passion by Arnaz on the show -- but instead, songs like Cuban Pete were slowed down almost beyond recognition.Arnaz's voice also doesn't sound as rich and robust as it does on the show (a recording issue?).
DELIGHTS FROM DESI!
I must confess that I have been a dyed-in-the-wool fan of I LOVE LUCY since childhood - and because of that - Desi's music is special to hear. I personally think that his Orchestra was quite underrated; it really had a lovely sound which holds up very well...Remember Lucy and Ricky dancing the Tango to LA CUMPARSITA in the episode where Lucy winds up in Ricky's arms - with 2 dozen eggs smashed in her blouse? I remember the moody and wonderful SIMILAU done superbly by Ricky at the TROPICANA. Other oft-heard standards which are sure to delight fans include GREEN EYES, SIBONEY & GUADALAJARA. Only one complaint: THE STRAW HAT SONG isn't included!

Desi arnaz's "Cocktail Hour"
The CD collection is excellent! If you are an "I Love Lucy" fan, you will definitely be able to hear some of the more popular songs in their entirety. The songs are somewhat short, but very good. The songs with Amanda's accompaniment are truly sweet, as you will enjoy Amanda's beautiful voice.I am a huge fan of "I Love Lucy" and I own two other CD's featuring those songs that were a part of the hit show. I am ecstatic to own this CD collection because Desi's songs are true Cuban hits. Desi's voice truly captivates me and I can't stop listening to it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Jazz    2. Latin    3. Latin Pop    4. Mambo    5. Popular Music    6. Tropical    7. Vocal   

Editorial Review

The original title of Tito Puente's final album was Read more

Reviews (16)

Masterpiece indeed
It is dangerous to use a word such as "masterpiece", for it easealy could be abused. The use in this case is more than justified. This is a historical recording musicaly, in its lyrics and arraingments. A must have CD!

Not exactly a masterpiece
The sound sounded like it was too polished. I did not like the arangements. It contains an interesting mariachi-salsa popular song(La negra). I don't think this was his best most refulgent recording. A good cd but I would not give it 5 stars. In my opinion his last live recording under his name was 5 stars. Eddie Palmieri was not even on the cd. Ok, he was but it seemed like it. Michael Stuart surprised me with that bolero. excellent voice!. All in all a good cd to have in a collection.

Tito & Eddie combined ... It doesn't get better than this ..
In an album that makes justice to it's title, the two "maestros" waited much too long to give us such a vibrant, masterpice recording. The collaboration of latin legends Oscar de Leon (vocals in Mariachi Meddley and Paris Mambo), Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez (singing Marchando Bien) and Paquito D' Riveraas well as the frantic melodic arranges by Puente, Palmieri and Ray Santos make this CD a "must have" for all latin jazz & salsa lovers. Unfortunately, Mr Puente did not live to see this album hit the stands ... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Afro-Cuban Jazz    2. Big Band Latino    3. Cuban Jazz    4. Jazz    5. Latin    6. Latin Continuum    7. Latin Jazz    8. Latin Music    9. Latin Pop    10. Leader    11. Mambo    12. Salsa    13. Tropical   

Reviews (1)

Never really was into Mambos but.....
Well OK, hands up those who can say they love Mambos?I bought this CD on a whim after listening to it entranced in a store (and after Perry Como just kept annoying me with "Papa loves Mambo...Mama loves Mambo..." etc).Read more

Subjects:  1. Easy Listening Collections    2. Latin    3. Latin Jazz    4. Latin Music    5. Mambo    6. Tropical   

Reviews (3)

The one and only , Celia!
I watched Victor Manuelle on TV singing that song at her funeral and it was so appropiate, her life was a carnival, she was always happy and this album and that song are the personification of Celia Cruz. It is a must have CD!

No te olvidaremos
Como otro de sus entusiastas fan�ticos tristes por su partida, no me queda m�s sino agradecer a Celia por su gran legado de m�sica en este CD y todos los de su carrera musical. Para todos sus oyentes, disfruten la musica de Celia, que es un mensaje de inmensa alegria para todas las generaciones. Long Live the Queen of Salsa!
My heart is truly saddened by the loss of "la guarachera del mundo" but her legendary music will definitely live on forever. I enjoyed this album immensly, especially her first three tracks. If you are as saddened as I am about the loss of this extraordinary woman, and you want to start your own celia music collection, here is an excellent way to start. R.I.P. CELIA!!! We'll Miss You!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Latin    2. Latin Continuum    3. Latin Jazz    4. Latin Music    5. Latin Pop    6. Mambo    7. Salsa    8. Salsa/Merenge    9. Son    10. Tropical   

Features

• Original recording remastered

Subjects:  1. Cuban Jazz    2. Latin    3. Latin Pop    4. Latin Pop/Rock    5. Mambo    6. Tropical    7. United States of America   

Editorial Review

This package is saturated with the Cuba of the 1950s, from the vintage taxi on the cover to the seminal mambo recordings made by the style's inventor. Moré's endless innovations are displayed here in any number of changes he executes on the music, varying tempos from ultrabrisk ("Mamboletas") to balladic ("Cuando Quieras Volver"), all the while emoting over one of the hottest bands ever to emerge from the country. A listen to Read more

Reviews (4)

An enjoyable collection of music.
Although I admit that I am new to the music of Beny More, I really like this CD.Perhaps, as some of the other reviewers seem to indicate, this is not the best showcase of More's music, but if you are new to Latino music, especially Cuban, this is probably a good place to start. OK but not my favorite of Beny
This CD is OK but I disagree with a previous reviewer (agree with another one); this CD is by far not the best of Beny.I recommend the BMG Tropical Series "The Very Best of Beny More", Vol. 1 and 2, not only in song selections but in recording quality.I grew up in Cuba in the 50's and playing those two CDs is like going back to my teens listening to Beny on the radio.WOW....

Best single Beny More CD available
Good (although unadventurous) selection of Beny's mambos and boleros at areasonable price. Those wanting more will have to look at the discs on BMGTropical (but be quick: BMG are not supporting this label very well) orelse, if you want the very early material with Perez Prado, on Tumbao. Forthat fifth star: Beny's immortal recording of Como Fue, recentlyresurrected by Ibrahim Ferrer, and how about Dolor Karabali, Beny's ownfavourite recording? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Big Band    2. Big Band Latino    3. Bolero    4. Cuba    5. Cuban    6. Int'l & World Music    7. Latin Continuum    8. Mambo    9. Pop    10. Rhumba    11. Son    12. Sonero    13. Tropical    14. World Music   

Reviews (1)

Some Of The Best Mambo Ever!
This is a great album and a wonderful addition to the first Mambo Mania CD which was already a great recording.Mambo is actually old school salsa with more character, style, and flavor.The recording is a fine collection of latin music legends.Highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Afro-Cuban Jazz    2. Big Band    3. Cuba    4. Cuban Jazz    5. Latin    6. Latin Jazz    7. Latin Jazz Vocals    8. Latin Pop    9. Mambo    10. New York Salsa    11. Salsa    12. Son    13. Tropical    14. World Music   

Reviews (2)

Great, but doesn't have many of the best songs
This two CD combo is great but sadly its missing some of Tito's best songs. Since coming to New York, I've heard an endless amount of Tito's music and have seen it used for many dance performances, but many of those great works weren't on this compilation. Examples include "Ran Kan Kan" and "Timbalero"; how you can have a 'Best of the Best' Tito Puente album without "Ran Kan Kan" is beyond me -- quite simply, you can't. The title says it all!
There are many hits albums of Tito Puente. For the money, thisis the best one.It has great songslike Mambo Gozon, Hong Kong Mambo, Cua Cua, and others. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Afro-Cuban Jazz    2. Big Band Latino    3. Cuban Jazz    4. Latin    5. Latin Continuum    6. Latin Jazz    7. Latin Pop    8. Leader    9. Mambo    10. Salsa    11. Tropical   

Subjects:  1. Afro-Cuban Jazz    2. Big Band    3. Cha-Cha    4. Cuba    5. Instrumental Pop    6. Latin    7. Latin Jazz    8. Lounge    9. Mambo    10. Rhumba    11. Tropical    12. United States of America   

Reviews (3)

Smoking from start to finish
Congratulations are due to Bill Wolfer on this masterpiece.He is the first American to successfully lead a Cuban orchestra in Cuba, and was even nominated for a prize in Cuba.That is no easy feat!Anyone familiar with contemporary Cuban music will know two things:first, that Cuba is teeming with incredible music talent, and secondly, to play Cuban music successfully you have to master a very idiosyncratic style based on very complex rhythms.That is perhaps why, until now, no American has ever been able to successfully lead a Cuban band own their on home turf.
REALLY SWINGS!!
From the first chord, I realizedthat this is a world class band!, serious arrangements, good soneo, superb horn riffs, awesome piano solos by Bill Wolfer,top of the line guests, highly recomended for latin swing lovers, even if you don't dance!

On my top 10 list for 2003!
This album has gotten more airplay on my latin and jazz radio show than any other in 2003.Read more

Subjects:  1. Cuba    2. Int'l & World Music    3. International    4. Mambo    5. Pop    6. Rhumba    7. World Music   

Features

• Box set
• Import

Subjects:  1. Cuba    2. Latin    3. Latin Continuum    4. Latin Jazz    5. Latin Pop    6. Mambo    7. Salsa    8. Salsa/Merenge    9. Son    10. Tropical    11. Vocals   

Subjects:  1. Cuba    2. Latin Continuum    3. Latin Jazz    4. Latin Music    5. Latin Pop    6. Mambo    7. Salsa    8. Son    9. Tropical    10. Vocals   

Features

• Original recording reissued
• Original recording remastered
• Import

Reviews (1)

When Cachao plays danzon you have to listen....
If you are not familiar with the Cuban danzon then let me give you a two sentence introduction. It starts with a rather French-influenced 19th century "Cuban" melody (or often an adaptation from a classical source) played by the violins and flute over the flowing timbale's "baqueteo". Oh is that a cool old school sound! Then it transitions into the "cha-cha" and before you know it you are taken away by this marvelous music. Read more

Subjects:  1. Afro-Cuban Jazz    2. Big Band Latino    3. Cuban    4. Latin    5. Mambo    6. Tropical    7. World Music   

Subjects:  1. Cuba    2. Jazz    3. Latin    4. Latin Pop    5. Mambo    6. Rock/Pop    7. Tropical