Dance Mania

2. This is my standard for something that is totally not me but I assume isn’t awful.

Can't say I needed to hear this before I die, but decent album.

This was quite fun, but after a while it felt like more of the same

This was a lot of fun, but the songs do kind of blur together. I'd definitely put this on as background music.

Very cool, very fun, not one I would have listened to without this nonsense!

A bunch of fun grooves.

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.

Reminds me of the music my Peruvian neighbour listens to when he's doing yard work or tinkering in his garage. He's a good dude that José, great neighbour.

Astounding! Great stuff.

love me a spanish groove. nothing to add to the playlist sadly.

If you're an afficiando of Latin music you have this album.

Live to be taken back and time to dance to these bangers

Some classic trumpet 50s music here. Although I generally would not listen to this, its soothing af and just makes me wanna chillax. Somehow i knew a few of the songs on this record so they must be popular. Anti dance mania 4/10

This album was pure vibes all the way through

I want to like it a lot more than I do. It's just kind of boring, I've struggled to make it all the way through while actively listening, and made several attempts.

Was entertaining but very particular when to listen

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.

Wonderful! So much fun to listen to.

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!

Great albulm for jamming. Tito delivers on every track

Du, da, da, da, da, da .... not my type

Decent vibes on a Monday.

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

Fun songs, makes you want to dance even if you don't like to dance.

Fun to listen to!

Solid album. Not well versed in this style so it sounds a bit the same but good to just have on.

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.

Enjoyable, reminds me of playing the game "Tropico", but overall quite enjoyable but still not a 4 for me.

Undoubtable fun

Good! Like it a lot!

Nice! It's that guy off the simpsons

Not much to say. It's not bad, but not my thing

Goes hard

Si bueno

Pretty much as expected but lots of fun. Puente is the classic sound of Latin jazz

Looks shit. Worst cover art so far

not really my type of music so i can’t really rank it. so it gets a 3/5

Fantastic energy and amazing layered sounds throughout the entire album.

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.

Definitely made me want to dance. 8/10

very recognizable from movies, the music to play in a restaurant instantly sets a cozy mood but i wouldnt really listen to this with headphones on

Loved it...my new retirement album

Lots of fun here. Excellent musicians, if I could dance I would dance to this.

Fun and festive.

Really fun and groovy with listening to, with tracks that make me want to dance :)

I couldn't stop chair dancing.

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.

This album didn't have to go so hard but it did.

very dancy. Listened to in the rain, can confirm it works as rainy day music. Maybe I’m a bit too young for this.

Now That's What I Call Samba©

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.

a few tracks is fine but after that i am mamboed out

I enjoyed this but, if I’m honest, they did all start to blend into one after a bit.

I guess you need to include one mambo album on the list. It all sounds the same to me if I'm honest, but at least he was in The Simpsons so fair play. Best Tracks: El Cayuco; Hong Kong Mambo; Mambo Gozon

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

Salsa meh

Mambo! Hips moving uncontrollably! Yay!

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.

This was a great soundtrack to cleaning the bathroom today. Super fun.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Would indeed be great Latin dance music (just don't know exactly what style due to my own lack of knowledge there.) 3.5

great album. Brilliantly upbeat

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.

“Y’know one day, Tito Puente will be dead and you’ll say ‘Oh yes, I’ve been listening to his work for years’“ (That’s a quote from the movie ‘Stripes’ for you youngsters). Anyway, Tito Puente is dead, and I can’t say that I’ve been listening for years. Just a partial listen of this album is more than a lifetime’s worth for me. Like the album art.

fine old school dance music, and I'm sure it was influential, but it isn't a style I'm super into. The Xylophone on Hong Kong Mambo was particularly cool to me.

What a fun album this was!

It’s fun. Probably more fun if I was drunk

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

Fun, full of energy, just enjoyable in every way.

*Insert standard World music 3 star rating here*

Mambo

Rating: 6/10

Jazzy

Vibramaphone! Timbales! Reg Mombassa level Mambo!

If these rhythms were any more latin I think I might dance-form myself into a maraca.

man I wish I could dance

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!

Good but not my thing. Very long and sounded repetitive. BUT I bet live is great

Before seeing the cover of this I assumed it was going to be some mad 80/90s dance rave album. Oh how wrong I was. I did really like it and on the whole it's great fun and would love to go to a proper dance party with it live, however, I also felt I knew exactly what the whole album would be from the first couple of minutes, and I was right!

Definitely a fun listen!

Well done, but not very interesting. I guess just not my thing.

Asså jag vet inte hur man ska beskriva detta

Just a joy. Love a bit of this. Mambo!

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.

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!

This is Latin American jazz. I don't know or listen to enough Latin America jazz to distinguish if this is great or not. It's fine but I wouldn't choose to listen to this.

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

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

didn't expect to like it - but i did. ended up listening way past the album being over

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.

I mean, it's fine, but who cares? The brass and percussion are dead tight but I can't speak to why this is innovative or what makes it a must-hear. Appropriate for some settings, I suppose but not that many.

Tito Puente is apparently the king of latin jazz, but it's a lot less memorable than I thought it would be. I'm not sure who the singer is, but she is definitely a plus to this album, her warm voice really suits the atmosphere of the album. For the rest, I really have heard better latin jazz

This was fun upbeat and well executed.

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.

This jazz latin album is not my cup of tea, however if i liked this type of music it would be right up my alley. With raging horns and lively spanish ballads it's exciting through and through, although it isn't always pleasant to the ears. At times the horns sound shrill and the vocal performance can come off a bit one dimensional, but other than those critiques it's a must listen for anyone who likes latin jazz music. The biggest stand out moment from the record for me would be Cuando Te Vea (Guaguanco), a beautiful love song about a woman who makes his happiness complete, from the beginning of the song to the end, it's impossible not to dance with the almost hypnotic rhythms.

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?

Fun stuff, reminds me to Tropico soundtrack :)

Just not my thing, unfortunately

3.5/5. Very enjoyable while it lasted but not my expertise 🤷‍♂️

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.

3.5

10/10, amazing vibes

This album makes me want to quit my job and play the trumpet full-time. Best track: Mambo Gozon

Ágætis dillibossaplata, sem minnti mig þó óþarflega mikið á af hverju ég get ekki dansað cha cha cha.

Groovy album with some cool songs. Was pleasantly surprised

Fun to listen to! Would love to hear more.

The percussionist in me appreciates the marimba and vibes and timbales, but I’m always so-so on Latin jazz.

Nice to listen whilst cooking

not bad just not for me

Fun Latin album. Always love a good mambo. Not my go to, but certainly worth a listen.

I can't speak Spanish but I thoroughly enjoyed the album. I was dancing in my desk chair

This guy's a legend, and if I liked this kind of music he'd get 5 stars, but I'm not that into mambos

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.

Horns a bit shrill. Can listen to one or two songs before i get bored

Pretty good mambo music.

love it. No idea what they are singing but love Spanish/South American music

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 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.

Perfection

Ahhh.... summer sun, Italian films of the 1950s and 60s. :)

Atmospheric

Completely loved it. Need more of this kind of energy in my life

That was fun!

I’m not much for mambo and the adjacent genres. It was alright. Though most songs had to similar a tone, feel and lyric.

Cool

This was great

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 🌟

Nada que me marcou muito. Mas é bom.

Che sound latino. Allegro con quel tocco di malinconia, comunque ti tira su. Molto piacevole tutto l'ascolto.

First time hearing the album. I have heard to Tito Puente, but was not familiar with the music. I definitely enjoyed it. Not something I would listen to outside of this list though. Still it has a great sound and puts you in a good mood. 3/5

Lovely.

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

Eh, šta ja znam. Nije strašno, nije predobro. Međa crna. Eventualno ovako u filmovima da bude gdje bi bio nekakav koncert u pozadini dok se neke scene odvijaju (ne sekx scene). Hong Kong Mambo je dobra stvar.

Ekšli je nevjerojatno da većinu pjesama znam, bengeri sve od reda.

Jaunty

Baile conmigo a las canciones de Tito Puente!!

Felt like I was in a soundtrack for a movie about elevator music. 5 stars.

Ojojoj! Miami! Någonstans i Spanien! På ett dansgolv! Med höfter som rör sig i vad som måste klassas som sexuellt. Det är sköna vibbar över "Dance Mania". Jag vet inte om det grundar sig i den starka kopplingen jag känner till Dexter, men jag tas direkt till en plats där solen skiner sitt allra starkaste och varmaste sken. Takten som används är svår att inte ryckas med i. Något typ av slaginstrument kompletterar trummorna ganska genomgående och det är ett frekvent brukande av blåsinstrument, jag gillar det! Låtmässigt är det väldigt svårt för mig att bedöma vad som är bäst då hela albumet flyter samman helt och hållet. Men det är ett härligt album som jag tydligt kan se syftet till varför den skapats.

This is not for me, every song sounded the same more or less.

Samba. Not arsed.

Another fun Latin album - all trumpets, all the time.

yeah it was good

Good example of Caribbean music

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

Suave and catchy songs, don’t know enough about the genre to really say how good it is but it’s a nice listen

Incredible salsa dance music!

3.5/5. This is a fun album. Makes me want to dance. It is a little repetitive, but other than that, very enjoyable.

What the hell. Why did I enjoy this so much?! Twas very long though.

This album makes me wish I could move my hips & salsa dance! (I absolitelu cannot) Fun listen!

Nein, Verkaufszahlen aufgrund eines Tanzschulen Lambada Hypes sollten wirklich keinen Niederschlag in dieser Liste haben. Kann man als Weißbrot sowas anders als ironisch hören? Oder keine Breaking Bad Montage Sequenz vor Augen haben? Von Herzen nur 1.9

They all sounded like the same song, but fucking hell did I love that song. Definitely going in a movie.

Feel like I should be sipping a martini at the club with the Rat Pack. Very hip in a 60’s kinda way.

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.

Party music

Yep...really good....mojitos would make it a 5

Fun album and really enjoyed it. Might not listen to it again ever, but would if it came on. 4

New one on me, I quite enjoyed it but not to the degree that I'd ever listen to it again.

Not really my cup of tea

just fun

Wish I listened to it on my HiFi and not with earphones walking my dog. High quality album.

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

Powiew egzotyki na liscie, bo albmik z gatunku mambo z roku 58, wiec jest grane mocno jazzowo z latynoskim twistem, ktory wlasnie czyni te muzyke taneczna, bo o ile jazz rowniez moze byc taneczny, to nie brzmi on prawie nigdy jak muzyka z tej plyty, jak slucham tego jako totalny laik, ktory nie slyszal zadnego mambo rekorda wczesniej, to jedyne co przewija mi sie przed oczami, to niezliczone wstawki filmowe, srednich filmow akcji i sceny dyskotekowe i portorykanskich tancerzy wywijajacych na danceflorach, a przeciez mambo jest podobno z cuby, chociaz sam pan Tito Puente byl urodzony juz w hameryce, jednak korzenie portorykanskie, jak lata 50 to oczywiscie brzmienie big bandowe i potezna ilosc instrumentow przewijajaca sie przez album, w tym samych trebaczy bylo z osmiu, dodatkowo sporo jest tutaj elementow wokalnych, ale jako ze hiszpanski jezyk trudny nie jestem nawet w stanie stwierdzic plci spiewakow, nie wiem czemu ale hiszpanski brzmi dla mnie zawsze przesadnie muskularnie lub calkowicie bezpluciowo, ale glosow z pewnoscia jest kilka, co nie jest dziwne w czasach big bandowego grania i spiewania, z 38 minut materialu jest 12 trakow, wiec nie sa to przesadnie dlugie kawalki jak niektore jazzowe kompozycje, bo przeciez to muzyka typowo taneczna, przy ktorej az sie nuzka sama porywa do rownomiernego tupania, wiekszosc kawalkow to orginalne pomysly pana Puente, bo jedynie piec to utwory skomponowane przez innych grajkow tamtych czasow, wlasnie te orginalne kompozycje wydaja mi sie najciekawsze muzycznie, na plejke wrzuce z pewnoscia hong kong mambo, ktorego juz nazwa zdradza, ze bedzie sie inspirowala brzmieniem mingleeowym, uzyskanym glownie przy pomocy wibrafona, kolejnym kawalkiem bedzie czikitowy traczek, to jest mi chiquita quiere bembe, ktory bedzie jednym z najbardziej rozspiewanych utworow plyty, chorek starych dziadow robi robote, jako pierwsze zderzenie z mambo jestem zadowolony z picka, chociaz muzyka tak odlegla od moich zwyczajnych preferencji, to jednak ma w sobie to cos czego ciezko szukac we wspolczesnych nagraniach, co do samego nagrania, to zdziwlilo mnie, ze tak dobrze brzmialo pod wzgledem technicznym, uczucie sceny brak trzaskow i hukow, widac ladnie musial byc krazek zremasterowany, bo sluchalem wersji z 2k11

when the first song played I went "Ohh..I know this song." and did a little boogy in my seat. Sadly by the time it got to track 2, it felt a bit repetitive and I got bored.

Groovy jams all the way. I grew up with salsa but not so much this style, it was good to explore it.

ehm jag vet inte om det här är bra musik, men jag tyckte det va mysigt och kommer nog lyssna på det igen!! Inga direkta bangers, och väldigt mkt baila baila cha cha cha

Jättesvår att betygsätta, men väldigt roligt att lyssna på. Mycket bra musik och överlag bra ljud. Kan inte riktigt tillräckligt mycket om genren för att uttala mig om låtarna i sig....

D svänger!! Kul med det här projektet att få höra musik man aldrig skulle lyssnat på annars. Tror det var bra, men jag har inget att jämföra med och jag är helt ointresserad av genren? Får en trea av bara farten så ingen blir arg!!

det var bra men hela albumet var också 1 låt bara kändes det som. så lite väl repetitivt för min smak

always grateful for the opportunity for exposure to other cultures <3

Way to much fun to listen to

My soul is on fire with this slanderous mambo

Nice!

Another great upbeat Latin album. Super fun.

A very fun and flirty mambo album that would get a lot of people up and dancing. I can appreciate the album for what it is but it's not something I'd pop on for going out over the weekend. Best: Mambo Gozon Worst: Varsity Drag 2.5 Stars

5/10

Saaaabor

Very upbeat. Mambo.

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

This album has a clear goal, and that is to be a dance album. While we may prefer this over non-orchestral offerings, this requires a bit of a mood that we are never going to be in.

I appreciate the album and feel good nature of the album. Not always my style, but good nonetheless. Unfortunately, it does trigger me with that one tiktok song which I have grown to not like. But that's not a fault of the album 3.5

Fun album with fun sounds for daaaaaancing. Might not listen again casually but still found it enjoyable! Favourite Tracks: El Cayuco, Saca Tu Mujer

Very fun, liked the music and the energy.

I had a great time listening to this album.

This album is mambo in a Latin club. Not very dynamic, but a good time.

Deeeeeceeent

Cest bon et ca sonne bpien comme le soleil. J’aidu entendre cet album souvent dans le sud ou l’ete car ´es chansons font tres soleil. 3.25

Brassy, schmaltzy, not a lot of variety. Certainly didn't make me want to get up and dance. I did feel some degree of energy, which kept me marginally better than bored. Perhaps I'm just in a bad mood.

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!

не ну чот такое ваще никак

All the tracks kinda blur into one, but this was fun! If it were playing at a party I would want to get up shake my hips

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.

Creo que nunca lo escucharía por mi cuenta, pero no es malo.

Fun music. Some interesting musical complexity with the brass instruments that I enjoyed. It was not very compelling as an album to me, but it was a nice classy collection of songs.

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.

Actually found this really fun

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.

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.

Maybe if I gave it more time, my rating would rise higher. Clearly Tito and his band are talented and there's some good stuff in here. But it sounds a bit dated. Would I still expect to hear it in any sunny vacation getaway resort? Of course, all day every day. But will I turn to this when I'm not sipping mai tai's on the beach? I doubt it.

This was some fun dance music. It was well-orchestrated and well-recorded. Mambo's not really my sort of thing. I mean this music was written to be danced to and well... I'm not much of a dancer. Still I can hear the talent on these tracks.

Not my favourite genre, but appreciate it is good for what it is. Does take me back to travelling and experiencing this music for the first time

A nice sound, but it gets a bit samey after a while.

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.

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.

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 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.

Very nice dance music but the brassy horns and similar tempo for all the songs got old real quick

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.

This is pretty hard to argue with. I don't know that I would put this on any old time, but it's some pretty feel good stuff that isn't tied to any trendy junk.

I'm sure it's good for what it is - who knows, perhaps not? - but this was borderline unlistenable. If only it were background music - alas, the brass is overpowering and obtrusive, with a hysterical quality that pierces through to your innermost core. One of my least favourite offerings from this app.

Siding with Alex here on one front: there is that rad xylophoning (God, that better be a real word) going on in “Hong Kong Mambo” and then the brass comes in like a tsunami alarm and I can’t reach for the volume knob fast enough. Kills it for me. Tito Puente is one of the great all time names though. If I had that name I wouldn’t give two shits what anyone thinks about anything.

Tito Puente is one of the great band leaders and Mambo is such a fun music. It's like danceable jazz music.

As far as I can judge it seems to be well played and it was somewhat fun to have playing. But aside from a one time listen I'm just not really interested in this kind of music and won't actively listen to it again.

Couldn't get into it. Might work as background music but that's about it.

Definitely not one to just put in an listen to. Great stuff in the right context....and if you know how to dance.

Ча ча ча для курортных романов.

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.

Manic. Can't stop the mania.

Zero reference of this, but it sounds great.

Great background

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.\"

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.

Not my kind of thing, but I didn't hate it. It's definitely got a groove. I think I would appreciate music that incorporates elements of this style, but a full album is a bit much for me.

Not my type, good for a dance and sampling

If you're practicing salsa dancing

Great rhythms and parts to produce highly enjoyable songs

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.

Nah

nice upbeat latin jazz. Percussion heavy, cool vibraphones. Good vocals. Very nice music to enjoy during dinner. Wouldn't consider it a "Must Listen" or essential in any way but definitely enjoyable. 3 .5 stars

Sicuramente Tito Puente e tutti gli altri sono dei bravissimi musicisti, non lo metto in dubbio.. Ma, per il resto, è un genere musicale ballereccio con tanti limiti, per me troppo ripetitivo, nessuna canzone risalta particolarmente.

Non ho molto da dire, il mambo così lo senti nei ristoranti messicani qui in italia per fare atmosfera. Lo so che è cheesy però che devo fa' io c'ho un debole per sta musica.

Essendo una musica distante culturalmente e nel tempo è difficile dare un giudizio critico ma mi sono divertito. Su Hong Kong Mambo c'è un solo di marimba che mi ha fatto ridere/esaltare. Forse lo riascolterò quando vorrò sorseggiare una pina colada in estate. Per me è un 3.5 tendente al 3.

Quite alright but not my style.

Not something I’m likely to listen to often, but I can appreciate it’s importance within it’s genre.

Never listened to mambo before but this is nice and upbeat and very catchy. Definitely makes you want to dance.

It was good to hear other Puente songs. The music just puts me in a good mood. (7/10) Fav. Track: Hong Kong Mambo

solid fun album. would listen again

the best selling latin dance album of all time remains Tito Puente's Dance Mania. Recorded in November and December of 1957 and released in early 1958, Dance Mania was the first recording for a major label (RCA) to feature Cuban dance rhythms without relying on commercial gimmicks or jazz constructs. It also was the first popular mambo album to feature vocals sung in Spanish—recreating the sound heard at New York's Palladium dance hall in the 1950

Put me in a good mood :D

Starts great, but then seems to slow down/get worse as the album progresses.

A fun album will be nice tobplay at a bbq in the summer

Nah

This is my first experience with a Tito Puente Album. I like it, it's definitely something I would throw on to clean the house to.

Fun as hell

😳

i actually really liked the sound!

The definition of elevator music. The headline act at elevatorfest 2021. Listening to it made me feel like I was waiting for a dentist appointment.

The only mambo album on the list is a quite mediocre one.

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

Pleasant enough to dance to but not something I’d listen to everyday.

Can not find this album anywhere! Three star rating as an average.

This album-a-day is great for many reasons but one of the best reasons I do this is to get albums like this one - a genre I would never in a million years select on my own. Tito Puente was a bit before my time and probably is more known by people my age from him being a suspect in the shooting of Montgomery Burns in the Simpsons (NOT GUILTY ha) so it's good to get the real education here. I'm not a dance fan nor will I ever be a big listener of this genre but it is/was far more interesting than I'd have given it credit for - complex as hell rhythms that are still accessible and catchy. I definitely vastly prefer the instrumental passages as I don't often focus much on vocal/lyrics. This is definitely both a fun record and a good one for background (working as I listen now). A surprise 3 stars for this rock fan (although I'm sure deserving of much higher for those more attuned to big band / swing). 7/10 3 stars.

Didn’t listen

I feel like I've heard this album before, its fun but i dont think i love it I think it's important as Tito puente invented the genre but it's hard to enjoy because of how much of a staple his sound is

Not too keen on foreign music, so-to-speak

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 really loved this. It made me feel like I was on holiday. So good, we listened to it twice,whilst eating fajitas

Well this is not my genre at all - couldnt finish. I know people are allowed to have opinions and a love of different music, but how did this make the list...come on there are better albums out there. Oh well I am sure this will also get 5's. My rating 1

¿Merengue?

This album is very loud and not very subtle. Found other better stuff albums him though.

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.

Nicht meins!

Sorry das kann ich nicht ertragen

Delicinha.

Cool

63 anni portati egregiamente

Like a Cuban salsa album. Well entertaining, recognized Mombo Gozon. Album reminded me of GTA Vice City, although this album wasn't actually on the game 😂 3/5

Not my usual thing at all but very nice to listen to and chill out with a different vibe

It was OK.

Salsa Legend

An enjoyable upbeat listen.

Good at what it is but never going to put it on intentionally.

Not bad

Havana great time 🕺🏻

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

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.

Shockingly got on pretty well with this!

A nice predecesor to the vast (and better) latin albums produced in the 70's New York

didn't listen super intently but as background music not bad; better than nick cave

bop after bop after bop

Enjoyable but I don't know if I would come back to it as an album, maybe would listen again to see if there were specific songs I liked

Saved Prior: None Saved Off Rip: Cuando Te Vea (mostly to remember the album exists) Cutting Edge: None Overall Notes: Super fun listen, never really listened to latin music that seriously before. Sounds a lot like other latin music to me, but that's not a bad thing.

Interesting salsa music, but an entire album is too juch

3/5 just ok

Loved it. Proper smooching down the road with headphones on music.

Ok, don’t usually listen to Latino music.

Great vibe, love this!

that was awesome - never heard it before!

Wen mambo

Raikkaat rytmit noin 50-luvulla tehdyksi plätyksi. Aluksi ajattelin, ettei tämä sovi keskelle sateista syksyä, mutta tämäpä veikin mukanaan jonnekin, missä aurinko paistaa ja laineet liplattaa. Hyvän mielen musiikkia.

Great album for reading and just to generally have on

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!

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

Very upbeat

Danceriffic!!!

A solid latin dance album. 10/10 will listen again.

It was indeed a dance mania moment. This album slaps.

Honestly a great album, full of life! very nice listen, would def get this record