The Mambo King still ruled
Sanpete | in Utah | 05/24/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"First, as the cover art says (see Amazon's photo), there are "20 original tracks" on this CD, not only 13. The listing with the timings is given below. (Some of the timings on the CD cover are incorrect.) Possibly there's a version of this CD with only the first 13 cuts, but of course it won't claim 20 on the cover.
Bandleader, composer, pianist, singer Prado is best known in the US for his recordings for RCA Victor in the 1950s. His distinctive mix of Cuban dance music with elements of American jazz was a great hit, but interest faded by the end of the decade, despite efforts to update the music. From the mid-60s through the 70s Prado lived and recorded in Mexico for the Orfeon label (among others). This CD collects a variety of those recordings. Some are reworkings of his early hits. Some are attempts to update his sound, with a touch of funk or even disco. The "space age"/lounge influence can be heard on some cuts.
Though his recordings from this period didn't gain much play or respect in the US, Prado was doing better than ever worldwide. From the sound of many of the pieces on the CD I'd say he was as exciting as ever, his bright blaring brass crisp and punchy, rhythms strong, still punctuated by his trademark vocal interjections. There are a couple tracks that make me squirm a bit, especially the disco medley (track 9), which will appeal most of all to fans of energetic camp, but on the whole it's top notch. There are several famous Latin vocalists who appear, as noted in the track list, including Celia Cruz, Maria Victoria, Daniel Santos, and Toña la Negra. The sound quality is excellent.
There are samples from this album available online--just do a search for the artist and album title.
1. Que Rico Mambo (2:32)
2. Cerezo Rosa (2:55)
3. Mata Siguaraya (with Pancho Cataneo) (8:04)
4. Mambo En Trompeta (2:29)
5. Mambo En Sax (3:02)
6. Guantanamera (with Celia Cruz) (3:20)
7. Te Para Dos (2:26)
8. Mambo Del Taconazo (3:11)
9. Mr. Loco / Solamente Una Vez / Patricia / Capullito De Alheli / Cachita / Corazon De Melon / Granada / Muevanse Todos (4:14)
10. Mambo No. 5 (2:14)
11. Caliente, Caliente (2:40)
12. Cancion Del Alma (with Toña la Negra) (2:31)
13. Mambo Del Ruletero (2:59)
14. Mambo Del Politecnico (2:04)
15. Nocturnal (with Daniel Santos) (2:07)
16. Mambo No. 8 (1:47)
17. Maria Bonita (2:21)
18. Cuidadito (with Maria Victoria) (4:02)
19. Pachito E'Che (2:41)
20. Rico Caliente Y Sabroso (2:23)
total time: 59:53"
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1