Dance Mania

When 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.

My soul is on fire with this slanderous mambo

Havana great time 🕺🏻

Really hard not to smile while listening to Señor Tito and his orchestra. Perfect for cooking or, really, anything. Favorite tracks: "Complicación", "Llego Mijan"

First song was enjoyable then it descended into 45mins of the exact same song!

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 didn’t think I’d like this. I did.

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.

A joyous departure from what I've been listening to. Compels me to get up and dance even though I don't know how. Not sure how to rate this. I liked it but probably won't listen again. Unless I'm throwing a Latin-themed dinner party.

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.

Scratched an itch I didnt even know I had

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.

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.

Oh! I bet this will be a fun listen even if my Spanish -- despite years of it in primary school -- isn't as good as a three-year old's. I know and like quite a few popular Puente songs, and recognize "Mambo Gazon" from this record. ****** Salsa/Mambo is just so unapologetically joyous and fun music. It's designed to dance and smile to, and that buys it a lot of goodwill with me. The brass shines and the rhythm section holds court with fantastic beats and an upbeat tempo. I got exactly what I came for on this album. It's a great showcase of this music from a legend in that world. I'm in agreement with this album's inclusion on the list. All that said, however, this has a ceiling for me. It goes no higher than (4/5) because it occupies the same space in my mind as Reggae. It's a **very narrow** type of music. I either don't understand/appreciate the nuance between all the songs or it really just sort of sounds the same. The ingredients and the way they're cooked simply don't vary a lot. Sure, you can rearrange them on the plate, but you know exactly what it is on first glance. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but you can bet I'm not eating it all the time. Similarly, if I were constantly bombarded by this all the time, I'd tire of it quickly. Small, metered doses is how I like my Salsa/Mambo. Let's have some fun for a while, and then put it up till next time. I'd absolutely recommend this record for that exact purpose.

How can you listen to this and NOT want a mojito, a Cuban sandwich (heavy on the pickle), a few olives, and a side of smoky black beans? The pavlovian response to Cuban music is REAL. Culinary delectibility aside, this one hit me on just the right day, and was a very good time. Sassy horns, jazzy drums, and well delivered vocals you don't need to know the meaning of to appreciate. A bit thrown by the inclusion of a compilation on this list, but whether meant as a greatest hits or simply a collection of Tito's more danceable tunes, it struck a solid 4/5 and gave me a powerful yearning to visit La Bodeguita De Mima.

In the year 1958 I can only imagine how cool it would've seemed to bring a big band performing Latin dance music into your home. Through the magic of sound recording any living room could be transformed into a dance hall. I don’t think we stop and appreciate that enough. As I was listening to this album I felt guilty confining it to my simple earbuds. This is music that yearns to escape, expand, and fill up any unused space. This album was a vivid listening experience. The horns on this production are a blast of warm air and the percussion will sweep you away. Seriously, the steel drum on "Hong Kong Mambo" heals like Jesus. This is forty minutes of some of the richest sounds I've heard yet from this experience. A little reading shows this album had a tremendous influence beyond its day. It is a wonderful album that deserves a listen and put it on loud in the living room at home and dance the day away. 4/5

This and Atomic Basie in the same year, what a time to be alive Best Song: El Cayuco Worst Song: N/A

I cannot imagine a record doing what this record does, but better. Reminded me of loaded club scenes in modernist classics - again, thinking of Antonioni here. Four stars

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!

Wounds won't last long, but an insulting song Burns will always carry with him So I'll settle my score on the salsa floor With this vengeful Latin rhythm ¡Burns! Con el corazón de perro ¡Señor Burns! El diablo con dinero It may not surprise you, but all of us despise you Please die, and fry in hell You rotten rich old wretch ¡Adios viejo!

Oh, here's another world music box ticking one. I don't mind a bit of Tito, but these all sound very similar when on an album - and after 5 or 6 I've lost interest

Mambo Latin dance music with songs that all sound pretty similar and made to dance to. I can see this as being a very good example of the genre, it’s just not my thing at all.

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.

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

Ok everyone, welcome to the 65+ Salsa class at what was once the Sunnyside mall here in Bedford. I'm glad to see everybody brought their dancing partner to the former Sears. We'll be playing some of the great Tito Puente, very quietly, so as not to disturb the hearing clinic next door. Please deposit your 8 dollars in the jar at the front of class., We have a raffle going, so if your card gets pulled, it's 2 for 1 early bird specials over at the Chickenburger! Alright now, before we begin, Ethel Boutilier just passed, so let's do a little cha cha in her memory. That's wonderful. Excellent form, Lorne. At the advice of law enforcement, we have an ambulance outside this time to prevent another Ethel situation. Hit that background music! What happened next is better left for the courts, but let's just say a few rooms opened up in the nearest nursing home, and a few early bird specials will go unordered this Sunday on the Bedford Highway. Salsa remains the second best part of nachos, and about the third worst genre of music. Thanks Tito, you were mid on the Simpsons. 1 HIGHLIGHTS: Hating dance music of all types, across time and space

Didn’t listen

Excellent compositions and playing, just great!

Excited for more Puerto Rican music after last night's halftime show.

this was what I wanted to listen to on this list-something I never would have otherwise.....and that is a fun/entertaining listen. there's a lot of boring/mediocre stuff on this list but this album is not one of them. great listen

Smooth as silk and rich as cream. If only my dancing was up to the task. I am unworthy.

Never would've imagined I'd listen to an entire album of this. No regrets.

What a nice uplifting album. Very sweet.

Now we're talking! Mambo from this time period always evokes cool dudes in white linen suits driving around Miami in their convertibles, before taking on some sort of "Oceans 11" type caper. You don't get better than Tito - still as danceable today as it was 60 years ago...

Esta es fuego! Excelente!

101. Dance Mania - Tito Puente (1958) 6.3.26 Variety: 2 Adequacy: 5 Listenability: 5 Uniqueness: 3 Emotionality: 4 = 3.8 rounded up to 4 INTRO I don't know much at all about Tito Puente other than he was famously in the "Who Shot Mr. Burns?" episodes of The Simpsons, but I've heard and enjoyed plenty of his stuff before. While I enjoy this sort of things, it's not a genre I'm steeped in, and any non-rock stuff ( especially in a language I don't speak) is always going to be a tougher nut to crack for me. It's always harder for me to come up with anything much more than impressions as I listen, but let's get to it. THE TRACKS "El Cayuco" - This one is pretty damned iconic. I'm not sure how many tv shows and movies have used this as shorthand for "we're going someplace tropical" but that seems to be attached to how I recall it. This is full of such an energy and joyousness that it's very easy to see why it became so well known, and at maybe Puente's next most known song after ""Oye Cómo Va"? How could anyone not want to get up and start moving to this stuff? "Complicación" - Nowhere near as catchy as the previous track ( but how many can be?), this was still a lovely midtempo little umber that had me tapping my toes pretty quickly. There's much more of a focus on the vocals here it seems, which is fine, but I much prefer the more judicious use of them in the first track. "3-D Mambo" - Another track I've heard many times before, and is much more my speed with no vocals to distract from the lovely rhythms. "Llegó Miján" - When the vocals do come to the forefront, I like them in this mode with the sort of call and response backing vocals found here. "Cuando Te Vea" - Things don't sound so happy on this one. While it's got to be very hard to get emotion across in any music, it must be especially so when the listener does not speak your language. The intonation in the vocals and the downbeat instrumentation tells a story of yearning and sadness to me though. I could totally be wrong, but this one has relationship troubles written all over it. "Hong Kong Mambo" - Holy shit. This was amazing. I was thinking it was going to be hard to top that first track, but within the first 20 seconds this shot ahead by a clear margin. Darker in tone, and full of some very different sounds, with Puente just going crazy on the vibraphone. Going to assume this was his showcase track, as he seems content on the rest of the album to be the good bandleader who supports and guides. God tier stuff. "Mambo Gozón" - As lively and driving as any track on here, this one has that constant back and forth between lead and backing vocals that, when combined with the similarly arranged trumpets, drives it forward so that it constantly feels like it's going to fall all over itself, but never does. The most danceable track on an album full of danceable tracks. "Mi Chiquita Quiere Bembé" - The tempo drops back down a step for this one, and we get more solid stuff, with the horn section pulling out some of the most dynamic playing on the album. The more cliched romantic bits did not work so well for me. "Varsity Drag" - This one felt like the most generic track yet. Still fine, just nothing here to grab me. If anything on this album could be called filler, this might be it. Vanilla and unadventurous comparatively speaking. The piano puts me in mind of Vince Guaraldi. "Estoy Siempre Junto a Ti" - Romantic vibes right from the get go here, even before the vocals come in. This is your slow dance, folks. A fine enough specimen of the type, but just not my thing. I did enjoy the lovely, simple percussion here, as it added some variety. "Agua Limpia Todo" - Loved the choral vocals on this one. Not exactly sad vibes but I got some vibes of frustration and maybe determination here. Again, pure speculation on my part. "Saca Tu Mujer" - Ending things well on an upbeat number that performs the trick of seeming to climb and climb while never really getting off the plateau. My favorite piano playing on the album by a good margin, and it's been damn fine so far. HIGHLIGHTS - "El Cayuco" - "3-D Mambo" - "Llegó Miján" - "Cuando Te Vea" - "Hong Kong Mambo" - "Mambo Gozón" - "Agua Limpia Todo" - "Saca Tu Mujer" MIDLIGHTS - "Complicación" - "Mi Chiquita Quiere Bembé" - "Varsity Drag" - "Estoy Siempre Junto a Ti" LOWLIGHTS - FINAL THOUGHTS This is the kind of thing that I can see myself throwing on as background music for sure, but as with most jazz, or music where I don't understand the lyrics, it's not something that I can see myself focusing on or reading anything too deep into. Not to say this music is lesser in quality or even in feeling or meaning. This would be perfect unwinding music and there are several tracks that will definitely be going into some 5-star playlists. But with music that's so exuberant, dynamic, well played and arranged, it would be difficult to rate this any less than enjoyable in my book. It was enjoyable the whole way through, so much so that I listened to may tracks more a few times each. That's always a sign of quality for me. The biggest downside is the level of intellectual engagement I had with it had that barrier of language and genre that I mentioned earlier. It'll never be a 5-star for me, but I can easily imagine it might be so for a TON of people. PLAYLIST ALTERATIONS - Nope FURTHER LISTENING - Kenya by Machito - Havana, 3 a.m. by Perez Prado - Mambo! by Yma Sumac - Acid by Ray Barreto - Soul Sauce by Cal Tjader

Literally no clue what's going on here, but it's a vibe.

This doesn't have to be your favorite music, but something may be wrong with you if you don't find it irresistible.

this was lovely and made me happy

Really easy to listen to but almost to the point of hearing it all blend into one big experience. Maybe it's because of the language barrier but this feels more like a mood to me than anything else. Good playing and singing for the genre.

Dance Mania Papa loves Mambo! Hard not to sway a little bit to the rhythms and exuberance of the songs and music. Like a lot of latin music I’m not really very familiar with the ins and outs of the varying genres and rhythmic styles. And it’s easy to associate it too closely with salsa classes and people from Buckinghamshire who make salsa dancing their entire personalities, but throwing that out the window and just concentrating on the music makes for a much more enjoyable experience. Very glad to have listened, may not come back that often, but it’s an undeniably charming 40 odd minutes of the type of music I don’t normally listen to, so very happy to give a high 3. 🪇🪇🪇 Playlist submission: Hong Kong Mambo

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 don’t think I’d ever get deeply into it, but I could see this keeping my spirits up while cleaning or something.

I don’t dance but it does not matter. This is a fun record.

GOD

this album is such a vibe

When an album like this comes on you know you're in for a party. Even as someone who cannot dance this music makes me want to shake my money maker.

Tito Puente, the Latin equivalent of legends like Glenn Miller or Duke Ellington, showcases his wonderful Puerto Rican heritage and flair throughout Dance Mania. Listening to this album makes me want to salsa out on the dance floor, even though I’m not much of a dancer myself. It’s vibrant, energetic, and overflowing with joy. This was an absolute pleasure to listen to, and I’d gladly throw on this—or any of Puente’s albums—again without hesitation.

Man, imagine what this was like for any white people that got a hold of it..... Starting this on the quadrophonic stereo system, having a seat on the plush green couch, taking that first sip from the two fingers of bourbon just poured into a glass, and being enveloped in a soundscape that was so foreign, yet felt so right. Maybe you'd stand the Mrs. up and take her by the hand to dance during the slower numbers. Maybe you'd just continue to sit and enjoy the sounds while flicking the ashes of your Chesterfield in the nearby ashtray. Even though this is 12 songs with the same basic structure and rhythms, it's damned infectious and a good time to listen to. Latin music is just so much fun and it always succeeds in it's purpose - Make you move your body, tap your toes, and bop your head. I think I'll listen again to keep the good vibes flowing.

I love the rhythms of the percussion section and the horn harmonies. Romantic lyrics and a great variety of tunes.

Great album from a legendary performer. 5 stars

This album made me dance subtly at work. Great Stuff.

This is the kind of music that throws my stats off and makes it look like the 50's was my favorite era. I can't help that mambo and jazz were both really good back then. I particularly loved Cuando Te Vea and Hong Kong Mambo. While I can understand complaints that everything sounded the same, I thoroughly enjoyed each track and would gladly listen to them again.

Latin music. Lots of fun.

A pleasure to listen to.

Pleasant surprise! Good to the last note.

Very impressive what was done here especially for me what stood out is when it was made too.

It's Tito Puente, of course it's good!

I had the dance mania. 10/10

Por si no lo sabéis todavía, voy a repetirme: no soporto los ritmos latinos. Pero hoy voy a hacer una excepción. El mambo y su traslación a la música de big bands que tanto influyó en las orquestas de los años 50 y 60 en EEUU es un tipo de música accesible, alegre, bailable, cercana y perfectamente fusionable con el jazz (de ahí el latin jazz) y otros estilos. ¿Me puede cansar? Efectivamente, pero a nivel orquestal es tan potente que no se puede pasar por alto su descomunal importancia en la música del siglo XX. Por cierto, Tito Puente era norteamericano, de padres portorriqueños, como no podía ser de otra manera, y coetáneo de Henri Mancini. Ahí lo dejo.

Lovely!

Tito Fockin Puente ❤️

impossible not to dance to

Favorite Song:: Complicacion

grooves

It’s fun, it’s flirty, it’s a party! It’s also 2 goddamn hours long, but who doesn’t like a good mambo? So far, it hasn’t overstayed its welcome because it brings a lot of variety in instrumentation. The production is very good too, nothing feels over or under-emphasized and the dynamics are… dynamic! From a dancing point of view there’s an interesting mix of pacing and attitude going on as well. I am adding Tito Puente to my dream blunt rotation

I discovered Tito Puente after Bill Murray's character in Stripes mentions his music in the opening scene(s) of the film. This album in particular is fantastic. I don't know what it is about the late, big band, Hispanic and festive nature of the music, but I often put this album on for the shear pleasure of listening to it. If you can't enjoy this album, you need to at least begin a serious session of self reflection.

Great working music. Upbeat, but not distracting for me.

What a difference time of day makes on enjoyment. Post lunch I really enjoyed this but finishing the album the next morning - it felt like it dragged on. Maybe just because it is SO long. Doesn't matter. It's so fun and I am learning through this that I love latin jazz / Caribbean music. Take me to a salsa club or serve me a cocktail on a beach!

They just don't make them like they used to huh? Impossible not to feel summery when you can listen to this in the sun. I've never wanted a Pina colada more than when I listen to this at work.

The King of Mambo with a legacy edition to blow your socks off.

Excelente

Well, this is just a hell of a lot of fun. We all deserve more horns!

Fire

As a Latino, I can attest that this is our mating ritual. 5 stars.

i love this album already first listen. this hits harder especially when ur a hispanic. i want to say this album reminds me of the latin supermarkets i’ve grown up going to with my mom and dad all the time. these types of songs are always playing in the background and it’s just classic. i’ve come back to my roots with this album. the percussion, the instruments are always going to hit when it comes to this type of music. and i love the fact that music like this are still being played everywhere. it’s timeless music.

Wow this was refreshing and amazing. Tito lit this week up after a few lame ass albums. Thisnis a really well composed album and music with top notch muciscians.

Awesome sounds! Part of Varsity Drag sounds like Office Space!

что может быть прекраснее похода в магазин по скользкой дороге и со снежными хлопьями, летящими тебе в лицо с серого неба, пока в наушниках играет этот альбом? не знаю. возможно готова завтрака под продолжение этого альбома, с пританцовываниями за плитой. надо его сохранить на теплые деньки.

Об'єктивно нічого особливого для жанру. Але наскільки все-таки приємна музика.

This album is just exactly perfect for Saturday morning dog walking in 3+ inches of snow and the temp in the teens. I have a dog that's part husky and she goes full Iditarod in this stuff. There could be more Latin/Samba/Afro Cuban based albums on this list in my opinion, Tito and Santana only having 1 album apiece is something I haven't been able to reconcile yet. And where are the Japanese bands/artists? Kikagaku Moyo and Minami Deutsch would be fantastic additions. But anyway, El Rey de los Timbales is the man. This style of percussion with horns and Spanish sung vocals really do it for me. This is just an excellent album.

High 4, smooth latin listening with little variation in sound but the couple variations that happen are appreciated and effective

There’s no way this man could’ve shot Mr. Burns.

Buena Vista Social Club on speed. Even if mambo isn't son. Try to sit still.

I don’t speak a word of Spanish but I could listen to this all day

SO FUCKING FUN

even when an album sounds like 5 stars to me, i have a tendency to get cold feet - i'm looking for an opus - but this kind of shit just breaks through for some reason. it was 38 minutes of perfect idea, perfect exectuion; no, there WAS a depth of feeling; no, i DONT care about how this album is positioned in its genre or how it changed everything that came after. fuck you. i liked this. 5 stars.

Such variety but such familiarity as well.. just listening is like biting into a juicy, fresh and delicious slice of heaven. Would definitely listen again and I'm looking forward to hearing more from this artist!

The mastery of Señor Tito Puente's Orchestra over all things mambo and latin jazz was the perfect companion to my Sunday morning. Made this foreboding cloudy January morning feel more like a breezy, balmy, pulse racing sojourn to the tropics. Favorites: "3-D Mambo", "Hong Kong Mambo" and "Varsity Drag"

Awesome. Enormous. Fun. Can’t help but dance.

Awesome for classroom.

This slaps.

This music is so fun and upbeat, you can’t help but smile, dance, and just celebrate living when it’s on. Probably wouldn’t have ever come across this album without the project, but I’m happier for it.

I can't believe I grew up disliking this...

Sabroso!

Love love love - perfect background music

A fantastic bit of fun! A massive antidote to the shite R&B, pop and Bloody Elvis you’ve forced me to endure

I love this so much

Señor Tito, the timbalero legend! I don't know a lick of Spanish but this man was a master of his craft, and his band knew how to make music that made you want to dance. Love this.