Williams-Sonoma wouldn’t immediately come to mind for most people when thinking of a source of catchy, finger snapping, soul firing tunes of mambo, salsa, Latin Jazz and other Caribbean music. Yet, they did release a “Drink Companion Series” chock full of melodic delights. Margaritas En Playa does not disappoint those fans of joyous, party time rhythms.
“Mambo UK” is the first track with trumpeter Jesus Alemany whose outstanding performance is reminiscent of Cuban-inspired tunes from The Mambo Kings (1992). This film chronicles the rise of two brothers who, as aspiring musicians flee Cuba for New York to break into the hot Latin music scene, seeking fame and fortune in the early 1950s. While The Mambo Kings starring Antonio Banderas and Armand Assante is based on a novel, there are numerous real life musicians indelibly associated with mambo and other Afro Cuban / Latin Jazz music who made it big in New York – and around the world.
Tito Puente, Prez Prado and Xavier Cugat were among the best known musicians to bring mambo, cha cha cha, conga and other Latin rhythms to eager international audiences through film, radio and big band performances during the height of their popularity in the mid- twentieth century. During the World War Two/Post War era of the 1940s to about 1960 or so Latin music styles reached their peak. Margaritas En La Playa brings these indelible, spicy rhythms to life again with additional elements of poetry and romance.
Track five is “Guantanamrea” which first appeared in 1929 and evolved, becoming a national symbol of Cuban pride, although it began poetically about romantic infidelity and disillusionment, based on verses by Cuban poet Jose Marti. As performed by legendary salsa queen Celia Cruz, it may be one of the best known Spanish language songs of all time. Her version is one of the highlights of Margaritas En La Playa.
Also memorable is Nat King Cole’s version of “Perfidia” (track seven) which is considered to be one of the most soft, tender and beauteous melodies of the 1950s, but is heartfelt in any age. All these songs have a timeless appeal and this cd wraps up appropriately with a Prez Prado and Rosemary Clooney classic song from their album A Touch Of Tabasco (1959) called “Adios” to close out the party. So, pop this cd into the stereo (which can be found through eBay) or type some of these tunes into YouTube – mix a batch of margaritas and lounge around with some friends!
