Pérez Prado

Mambo Mania/Havana 3 A.M.

by Stephen Thomas Erlewine review

Bear Family's Mambo Mania/Havana 3 A.M. combines two albums Perez Prado originally released on RCA during the '50s on one compact disc. Mambo Mania was a delightful collection, boasting the hit single "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White," as well as tongue-in-cheek tributes to a number of popular musicians and songs from the era -- "Mambo A La Kenton," "Marilyn Monroe Mambo," "St. Louis Blues Mambo," "Mambo a Billy May," "April in Portugal" and "Mambo de Chattanooga" (a mambo version of "The Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy"). Havana, 3 A.M. offers more of the same, which is no problem at all. Prado leads his big band through a number of infectious, danceable originals and versions of "Besame Mucho" and "Granada" that are terribly entertaining. Rhino's Mondo Mambo remains the best way to become acquainted with the wonders of Prado, but if you want to dig deeper, this is the place to start expanding your collection.

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