Dance Mania
Tito Puente
1958
Album Summary
Dance Mania is a studio album by American musician Tito Puente. The album was added to the National Recording Registry in 2002. It is also listed among the 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
WikipediaWhen you listen to something like this you really get the feeling the Latin people are having way more fun than everybody else.
“Dance Mania” by Tito Fuentes and his orchestra (1958) Never heard of this album or artist, but I could see that this was going to be fun immediately upon dropping the needle on the record. I can dream, can’t I? The album came out when I was three years old, and this was a musical world with which, in later years, I would become only marginally familiar. My sister and I would dance cha-cha-cha in pre-adolescence. I got bongos for Christmas one year, learning the difference between cha-cha-cha, mambo, samba, and rumba (and the difference between the two bongo drums, macho and hembra, the full significance of which would only become clear when adolescence was over). Musically, I was taken by the rich depth of the brass (exclusively trumpets, with the lower tones all carried by reeds. Interesting.) The rhythms are not the hard driving Latin beats of Santana. This is dance music. Mostly mambo (listen for the syncopation on beat four in each measure) and cha-cha-cha, in slightly varying tempos from song to song. Sensuous, undulating. For dancers, forget your feet. It’s all about oscillation between the chest and lower abdomen (euphemisms). I’d better stop. Skillful marimba and vibraphone by Fuentes. All musicians play with precision and professional self discipline. Excellent jazz piano by Raymond Concepción. Very well recorded (for 1958), with excellent use of the newly developed stereophonic technology (generally brass on the right and reeds on the left—cool). Can you believe we actually used to listen to music in mono? Lyrics: Well, I’m certainly limited here, but the lyrics are meaningfully prominent on two songs. This is enough for me to gain an appreciation of the fact that Latin dance is more than just ‘happy music’, regardless how much cowbell I hear. On “Cuando Te Vea”, we have: Mañana cuando yo te vea Permite, que pueda explicarte Los momentos de amargura Que pase por ti mujer Yo comprendo, soy un hombre Lo que quiero nena linda Es disculparte Por los momentos de amargura Que pase por ti mujer (Tomorrow when I see you Let me explain The moments of bitterness Let it pass for you woman I understand, I am a man What I want pretty baby Is to apologize For the moments of bitterness Let it pass for you woman) Cuando te vea Fuiste mala mala y embustera Cuando te vea Mañana por la mañana Cuando te vea Te fuiste de mi vida mujer bandolera Cuando te vea (When I see you You were bad bad and a liar When I see you Tomorrow morning When I see you You left my life, shoulder bag woman When I see you) Here is a message that conveys sympathy, regret, chastisement, and resentment all within the same musical mood. Wow. (Somebody please explain to me “mujer bandolera”) On “Agua Limpia Todo”, Water cleanses everything—even the tongue of the people. Something to remember in the age of Twitter. Very good music. Very gratifying listen. 4/5
What a fantastic, groovy, dancy album. I found myself swaying and jigglin' to the beat and tempo of the songs. What a great album that I'd have otherwise not listened to.
Really hard not to smile while listening to Señor Tito and his orchestra. Perfect for cooking or, really, anything. Favorite tracks: "Complicación", "Llego Mijan"
This ain’t my first time at the Tito Puente rodeo! I had several of his albums in the past. Not sure if this was one of them as I am always up for some mambo. Turns out this was just the way to get my day started with a big smile… I’m thrilled this is on the list! Anyone who doesn’t find their hips moving when they listen to this should be examined by a professional. I love this era and style of music and Tito Puente is the crème de la crème.
Never listened to a whole Tito Puente album. Really enjoyed listening to this, both by myself and with the family. Love the dance of the lead voices with the chorus and of course the layers of percussion is right up my alley. The "living stereo" mix sounds great and for its time is incredible. Favorite tracks: Llego Mijan and Mi Chiquita Quiere Bembe.
This immediately transported me to years and years of Mexican markets, restaurants and taquerias, from adolescence through to my adulthood. I can vividly see, hear, smell, and taste the specific food, colors, decor, and ambiance that is associated with so many places like this. It's always a good sign when you can connect to the music on a level that transports you somewhere else! If you are splitting hairs, this is more "Cuban" than "Mexican", but that doesn't stop it from being perfect and timeless in any Latin setting. Classic mambo albums and artists like Tito Puente are staples in these settings, and for good reason. It's fun to listen to, it's joyful, it's passionate, and it's exciting while also still being perfectly accessible for relaxing (again, in my case, almost always dining or shopping -- these can be forms of relaxing!). A real joy to listen to!
Over two hours of great Mambo music. The whole thing has me wanting to shake my hips. It showcases a fantastic display of afro-cuban style percussion and brass. No one song in particular really stands out above the rest for me, perhaps because of my limited exposure and knowledge of this kind of music, but its a definite album I would play while cooking or just enjoying life.
Just noticed that I rated the last five albums either a one or five. Such an extremist! Well this album will be neither. I quite like Cuban music. This is Cuban right? Wiki notes that Tito is an American musician. Who am I to question but let’s just say that when Gordon Gano sang “Do you like American music” I highly doubt he meant Mambo. This is soft Cuban music and during the first few songs it’s impossible not get the hips swerving. The Xylophone was also kinda neat and they respected the unwritten rule that says only one Xylophone song per album. This is quite good and well recorded for the 50s but I think some of the Cubans who followed the American had more to offer.
I'm sure it was an awesome latin dance fest in the 70s, but before my time and hard to get into without that experience. Now bring on Scooter!!! Lol
Great as background party music but I can't remember anything at all from it. All the tracks blur into one. This isn't music to listen to, just to dance - which is fine, but I don't dance so that's no use to me, I'll take Samba Pa Ti instead, please. Mind you, it gave me a happy 5 minutes watching Jane dance to it in the kitchen.
hell yeah, man - that was just fantastic, and another super encapsulation of what that scene feels like it would've felt like...if you know what i mean.
Seré breve, aquí lo que tenemos es al Tito con sus colegas de New York poniendo las pelotas encima de la mesa a finales de los 50s para sacar, por fin, un disco de jazz latino en español y poner así la primera piedra de lo que será la invasión de Norteamérica por parte de la música latinoamericana. Mezclando jazz latino, mambo, cha cha chá y bembé, Tito Puente da forma a un disco angular en la historia, bailongo y divertido, preciosista en sus cadencias y plácido como la tarde de un sábado. Para él no era más que continuar en su trabajo con la música afrocubana pero lo que hizo fue sembrar la semilla que daría lugar en el futuro a, por ejemplo, la salsa, a la hegemonía de lo latino que hoy abanderan J Balvin o Bad Bunny. En New York. En el 58. Un percusionista loco y sus colegas. Subidón, pasote y desvergüenza, uno de los mejores discos que escucharéis en vuestra vida.
First time listening: 12/12 songs liked Yooooooo. That's a groove. This is basically a more refined Perez Prado, with more grooves and more melody. I am all for big band, and definitely all for mambo. 4 songs saved
I'm obliged to award this top-notch album record for both it's high quality and it's counter programming on this list dominated by 60's folk and pop-rock. A big part of that is because this reference is so light on music like this that only the best are able to be included. All that aside, this is wonderful music and from note one I had a smile on my face.
This is pleasant to start with. Of course, my history shows that I usually highly rate global albums, so there’s that. This was an enjoyable album and good background music for the other things I had going on.
I like to listen to all different kinds of music but if someone made it so I could only listen to Mambo from now on I wouldn't be upset.
Ahhh, that hit the spot. Some great latino-jazz here. It's sad that ten years ago people would have only thought of Tito Puente from the Simpsons, and now people don't even remember that. But wow, this band is tight. Definitely have to pick up both Volumes 1 AND 2.
What a great choice - I loved the funky upbeat tunes. I felt like Carmen Miranda boogieing along. Hard to pick a favourite, but my top pick is 'El Cayuco'. I also liked 'Mambo Gozon', 'Cuando Te Vea', and 'Varsity Drag' as an instrumental ¡Mambo!
Was going to write a fancy, witty review using Tito Puente quotes from the Simpsons episodes he was in (Who Shot Mr. Burns pts 1 and 2 for anyone playing along at home) but it just ended up sounding wanky, unlike this album which must’ve sounded like a revelation in ’58, and sounds just as fresh and amazing and astonishing in ’22.
Tito Puente!!! What a fun time today! Now, trying to keep my mind on my work while listening was quite a challenge. A better soundtrack for a party or a task that needs an energy boost, but no real mental focus.
ABSOLUTELY LOVED. I personally have not been exposed to música tropical that wasn't in a club and i throughly enjoyed how it brightened my mood immediately. My fav song was 3-D Mambo and Llego Mijan!
So fun! Made me want to dance the Mambo in Havana in the 20s. Even though it’s not my normal style of music, I enjoyed every song and would definitely listen again or even put this on during a dinner party.
It’s incredible how fast it improved my mood. I didn’t read the title as Dance Mania, I just saw Tito and the top and realized it was a spanish man. I was uncontrollably dancing, I started the album cause I needed something to listen to while cooking. I ended up cleaning, cooking, and dancing. This shits a hellava drug. Might slowly finish throughout the day, currently on Guaririambo.
This is that upbeat latino music they always use in tarantino etc movies to make it seem lighthearted during a shootout etc. pretty friggen catchy tho lol.
i was skeptic at first, i kept on delaying listening to this bc 1. dance mania?? 2. what language is this? i was waiting for a time when im in ~that~ mood. but then as soon as it starts playing, im like YES! hahaha but im right, it's like those music used sa traditional dances in school. did i dance while listening to this? HELL YEA
6/27 A lot of classics on here, brought me back to DR for an hour. Standout Tracks: 3-D Mambo, Llegó Miján, Cuando Te Vea, Mi Chiquita Quiere Bembé, Agua Limpia Todo
Now that’s an awesome album. I can’t speak to it, I can only say that I really enjoyed that.
Great music to work to, especially what Spotify kept playing after the album ended. Glad to have gotten more exposure to this genre, I'll definitely be adding them to my party playlists! Songs tend to sound all the same though... Highlights: -El Cayuco -Hong Kong Mambo -Varsity Drag
Really enjoyed this one! Looking forward to exploring more of his albums. There are so many!!
Fun Latin jazz. The drums and horns are fantastic. I’m not much for dancing but this would make a great background album.
Disco perfecto de música afro-latina, más espefícicamente cubana. Te traslada a un club de la Cuba pre revolucionaria, con moeración, sosiego y perfecta combinación de vientos y voces.
Much like Jazz, I love "Latin Music" and Cha-cha-chá, but I have a hard time differentiating it. This entire album is straight fire, but I could not really separate which tracks I like and which ones I don't like. I would buy this cd, put it in my car, and just have it play forever whenever I'm going to or from the grocery store.
as 'Dance Mania' permeated throughout my mind and body I found myself enjoying it. I am not sure I am going to be adding Tito Puente to my rotation of artists but when I get the hankering for a hunk of Latino dance music he is the one I shall turn to. I give "Dance Mania" four maracas filled with jalapeño seeds
Buena Vista Social Clubia olen välillä kesäisin fiilistellyt ja tämä levy menee aika samoille viivoille. Kun ensitahdit kajahtivat ilmoille, alkoi heti tehdä mieli rommia. Tasaista suorittamista läpi levyn. Tykkäsin!
I poured myself a drink with some rum and sat on my balcony in the sun. Fastest way to travel to a sunny country and getting the feeling of vacation that I really needed. Found myself dancing some wannabe mambo moves during this album. Do yourself a favor and travel to the sound of Tito and his band.
I really loved this. It made me feel like I was on holiday. So good, we listened to it twice,whilst eating fajitas
It was good to hear other Puente songs. The music just puts me in a good mood. (7/10) Fav. Track: Hong Kong Mambo
I don't come from a "dance culture" and I think it impairs my true appreciation of this kind of thing (and probably of life in general) but this is still clearly fire.
4.0 - This is as good a place as any to listen to infectiously energetic mamba, played and recorded impeccably. This sounds like your drive home in the wee hours of Sunday morning when the party's over and all the bars are closed and you've got NPR cranked. Especially love the marimba solo on \"Hong Kong Mambo.\"
Listen to 'Dance Mania' via a huge PA system on a smoldering hot summer's night, harvest moon rising and the street party in full swing. Don't listen to Dance Mania via a cheap pair of headphones, cramped into your home office (box room) staring out of the window at a drab urban Bristol scene on a cold, damp, Autumnal work day. Even then, you can't help but have your soul stirred by Tito Puente. There's something about his music that can transport you from any place to a traditional - if not a tad cliché - Latin location, band playing 'Agua Limpia Todo', the whole village convening to salsa dance, drink cold beer and flail sevillanas on a cobbled plaza. The only disappointment of Dance Mania is that it doesn't include 'Oye Como Va', which is one of my (and no doubt many others') main frames of reference for Tito Puente, via the guitar of Carlos Santana. But you can easily forget that, the moment the orchestra chimes the opening bars of El Cayuco. All the way through to the upbeat Mambo piano runs of Saca Tu Mujer, you'll be daydreaming about being teleported to an exotic location, wondering what could've been if you'd spent your formative years learning the Cuban flamenco and listening to Mambo rather than sitting on a park bench, passing round a bong whilst listening to Limp Bizkit.
I find it interesting that so many Latin American bands were led by percussionists. And Tito is the most famous of all. Even though all these songs are for the dance floor there’s still a fair bit of variety across the album. I like the instrumentals, especially those featuring his vibraphone playing and the lead singer’s super-suave voice is lovely to listen to. It’s been a long time since my salsa phase, and I’m not going to hurry to play this again, but I would say that, within the context of music coming out of the fifties, this one scores pretty high up there.
Señor Puente leads an orchestra of extraordinarily talented musicians in joyous, life affirming mambo. It really is a thrill to listen to and the quality of the recording is amazing - you can hear each individual instrument and voice contribute to the sound. And whilst an entire album’s worth might become a little repetitious over time, nevertheless, you still come away with a feeling of intense delight.
While I haven't listened to many mambo/Latin jazz albums, this album kept me entertained the entire listen thru. Fun sounds and great rhythm.
Latin Music is not something I listen to that much but this was a thoroughly enjoyable album full of songs that left me tapping my feet. A very cheerful album that has great melodies and catchy rhythms. El Cayuco is a stand out.
While I've never looked into the Mambo genre before, this was a very fun record. I'll be glad to put it on more in the future. Favorites: El Cayuco, Cuando Te Vea, Hong Kong Mambo
Groovy jams all the way. I grew up with salsa but not so much this style, it was good to explore it.
12/15/2021 Today's Album: "Dance Mania Vol.1" by Tito Puente - This album is a bit different from the ones we've reviewed so far, being one made by a composer from Puerto Rico and composing of mostly latin dance tracks. Although I obviously do not speak the language, there is somewhat of a barrier for me to completely love it, I really like the arrangements and I would be lying if I said this isn't some of the best Latin Jazz I have heard. The variety of sounds that comes out of this album defines basically the entire genre and is incredibly performed. I understand why it's on the list, even if it definitely isn't something I can really fairly enjoy. Score: 7/10 Pretty much perfect but not my thing. Highlights: All of it. It's all worth a listen
Wish I listened to it on my HiFi and not with earphones walking my dog. High quality album.
Fun album and really enjoyed it. Might not listen to it again ever, but would if it came on. 4
My only exposure to Mr. Puente before today was in an episode of The Simpsons. I am very unfamiliar with this kind of music but it sure was fun. I could see myself coming back to this maybe exploring a little more of his work. I don't think I could listen to a lot of it but it would ve a nice change from the norm.
Feel like I should be sipping a martini at the club with the Rat Pack. Very hip in a 60’s kinda way.
3.5/5. This is a fun album. Makes me want to dance. It is a little repetitive, but other than that, very enjoyable.
Great mambo album clearly meant to get people dancing. The orchestration is tight and the singing is clear and jaunty. It owes a lot to earlier big band records. In a way, it is both groundbreaking and looking to the past through its fusion of Latin rhythms into big band jazz of previous years
Jedina dobra stvar sto se tice amerike je to da su imigranti sa ostatka kontinenta dosli tamo i svirali ko bogovi. Obozavam gledat njegove live nastupe, lik je uvijek bio toliko sretan iza tih svojih bubnjeva da jednostavno ne mozes ne uzivat. Al najbolja pjesma mu je senor Burns iz simpsona hehe
Che sound latino. Allegro con quel tocco di malinconia, comunque ti tira su. Molto piacevole tutto l'ascolto.
Really nice album. I tend to prefer the instrumental tracks where the vibraphone playing can really shine. But all the songs have a life and a real feeling of momentum that makes the irresistible. The tempos are infectious, the percussion irresistible. Just great music playing throughout. 4.5 🌟
I don't normally listen to this style of music, but when I do I like it! It takes my mind to a place, sitting on a beautiful sandy beach on a hot day sipping a mojito, or maybe a caipirinha or cuba libre, with a soft breeze on my face, and then dancing the night away in a sweaty club surrounded by beautiful people. Hard to believe this was recorded in 1958 as it still sounds fresh. 4 stars.
Can’t but be in a good mood after listening to this - danceable and feels like you’re sipping cocktails on a riviera in the 60s
I don't know much about mambo but this album was great. Especially liked Hong Kong Mambo and Mambo Gozón. There's a certain mood for this type of music and this album will get you there.
I can't speak Spanish but I thoroughly enjoyed the album. I was dancing in my desk chair
Fun Latin album. Always love a good mambo. Not my go to, but certainly worth a listen.
This album makes me want to quit my job and play the trumpet full-time. Best track: Mambo Gozon
My first introduction to Tito Puente was through the Simpsons, but I took some time to listen to a few tracks from Puente to hear what he sounds like on his own. Dance Mania was new music to me. Part way into the album Puente was grabbing my attention with "3-D Mambo", "Llegó Miján", and "Cuando Te Vea". Towards the end of the album, "Estoy Siempre Junto a Ti" was a too slow and sounded like more of aa song from a classic crooner than fits my taste. I'm torn on how to rate this album. Most of it is really good, and the music might grow on me. If I was looking for something different, and to mix up what I've been listening to, I this album feels like a reliable source of good and different music. Well, let's round up to 4 stars.
You know weird thing about danzón and mambo is that it had to leave Cuba to really become a thing, it had to travel to Ciudad de México to reach its global potential, and then of course the US, another point to take note, is that it had to take from Jazz to have its final form. This is in no way a criticism, I actually find the history quite amusing, I mean, can you imagine the synergy? All those incredible creative people just reaching beyond? Tito actually sat outside of all this, at least in principle, being from the US and a jazzist but damn did he understood the music, what an amazing record, weird that mambo had to come from the US to be on this list uh?
Latin music is really something else. It's that kind of art that never fails to paint a smile on my face and give a mood-elevating energy to my soul. I don't dance especially with those nonsense electronic beat loops, but with this music? Hell, let's murder that dancefloor now! What a fun listen.
didn't expect to like it - but i did. ended up listening way past the album being over
Like this a TON more than I expected to. Just really fun music. The mambo sound is probably once of my favorite latin dance music types. 4/5
I don't have a lot of notes about this album. It's great to put on and just let it play in the background. Very fun and upbeat, and it seems like it would be fun to dance to, as the title suggests. 4/5
a wonderful listen! the inclusion of albums like this are so important to this list. i always enjoy the international albums. and i am loving these mambo numbers! the entire album is fun and light. the trumpet in particular is noteworthy.
I recognise El Cayuco and I really like this music in general! This really brings me back to Bolivia and it's super fun I wish I was dancing and I guess that is the point of the album. So it's a winner - love it! Not so keen on all the songs but I really like the overall vibe and it made me and my students teachers v happy while we marked a bunch of exams so winner!
This was one of the most danceable albums I've ever listened to, but I'm torn between 4 and 5 stars. On the one hand the grooves are infectious and almost every song is a banger, but on the other hand...my God it's so damn long and this album badly needed an editor to crop out the filler tracks. A reluctant 4 stars from me because while I absolutely loved this album, it fell just short of perfection for me. Fave track: Hong Kong Mambo
Well, color me shocked. I expected to barely suffer through this album. Instead, I ended up really enjoying it. It's very much a product of its era but, once you settle in and give it permission to just be what it is, you can't help but start tapping your feet. Tito Puente delivers on the promise of the album title. The music is infectious and practically forces you to dance. Not sure what else there is to say. It's just fun.
Very classic Mambo album, lots of songs that sound very familiar either just because of the nature of the genre, or because I've actually heard them. Couldn't tell you which. What I can tell you is the only reason I recognize the name Tito Puente is because of the Simpsons. Overall good, a fun energetic listen that would make solid background tunes in the right setting.
Como sucede con todos los discos muy "de su género" en esta lista, este es un excelente exponente. Incomparables interpretaciones, ritmos, voces, todo. Y no pudo cuadrar mejor con el día caluroso que tocó ayer cuando lo escuché. Si puedo ponerle un pequeño pero, es que al ser un disco de una fase comercial de Tito Puente, es muy tirado hacia el Mambo y creo que me gusta más la Salsa. Fuera de eso, discazo.
38 minutos de pura sabrosura, mezcla chachachá y salsa (o al menos esos ritmos reconocí) para lograr un disco muy fácil de disfrutar y bailar. 3.5 estrellas que subo a 4.
This was pretty fun to listen to but I have no idea how to rate it. I assume it's a good example of this genre of music because everyone says it is, but I don't know how to differentiate between good and bad examples of this style. 3.75 stars
Wow, superb album! I don't listen to a lot of music in this style -- might be from hearing it too often in movies, television, etc., for such a long time -- but this is great. So many layers and textures, and the entire orchestra comes together perfectly. Really nice stuff here.
I don't know how to rate this as I've so little to compare it against but it's great. 1958? Even more great.
8/10. I liked it, though I wasn't paying close enough attention to notice when it ended and spotify radio based on it began.
I'm not sure you can feel sad while listening to this. I literally danced up and down the aisles of the Co-op while doing my shopping to this.
At last! An album in Spanish! It only took 414 days to get here, for Pete's sake. This album was a lot of fun to listen to. Musically, it's top notch with impeccable musicianship across the board. The songs are warm, joyful and jazzy. It's impossible to listen to this and not want to dance. Fave Songs: Agua Limpia Todo, Mambo Gozón, Cuando Te Vea, Saca Tu Mujer, Complicación
Wow I love this album, was a big revelation for me when I picked it up on a recommendation in high school. My second favorite Tito Puente album behind "Puente on Percussion" - highly recommend the expanded "legacy edition" on Spotify for some great b-side cuts like "Baila Como Es"
Extremely enjoyable effort from the legend Tito Puente (perhaps most famously known as one of the prime suspects in the shooting of C. Montgomery Burns). The orchestration feels effortless but interesting and complex at the same time. Although the lyrics are completely non-understandable to me, the language of mambo is universal. Highlights were the classic 'El Cayuco' and the playful 'Hong Kong Mambo'.
Fine, but not really my cup of tea. I liked it better than Buena Vista Social Club though, which has a similiar vibe.
I liked this album a lot. Music like this always makes me want to dance and lifts my spirits. Even though I really liked it, I'm only giving it 3 stars because nothing about it really stood out in my brain as particularly special. I wouldn't be able to hum a single tune from it, frankly. They all kinda blend together in my mind.
I listened to 3-4 tracks, but this isn't really a genre I seek out. Still, I appreciated what I heard. Giving this a 3 simply because I have a neutral opinion.
Ja men det svängde väl ändå. Var ganska trevligt att sitta och koda till. Ingenting jag självmant slänger på kanske.
Wat een swing, doet meteen denken aan de Buena vista social club. Verder niet echt mijn smaak. Muziek klinkt ook wat ver weg - maar kan ook door het jaar van productie komen.