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Best of Dance Mania
Tito Y Su Orquesta Puente
Best of Dance Mania
Genres: International Music, Jazz, Latin Music
 
  •  Track Listings (23) - Disc #1

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, ca...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Tito Y Su Orquesta Puente
Title: Best of Dance Mania
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Sony U.S. Latin
Original Release Date: 9/13/1994
Release Date: 9/13/1994
Genres: International Music, Jazz, Latin Music
Styles: Caribbean & Cuba, Cuba, Mambo, Big Band, Jazz Fusion, Latin Jazz, Latin Pop, Tropical, Salsa
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 743212100921

Synopsis

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
 

CD Reviews

The LP was great the cd is better.
Richard Phipps | Albany, New York | 05/28/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."
Most of Original Lp, plus lots of alternate takes and more
PH-50-NC | Southeast USA | 11/28/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."
Too hot to handle!
Colin Hugh Doyle | Toronto ontario Canada | 11/13/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."