Search - Xavier Cugat :: Bread Love & Cha Cha Cha / Cugat Calvalcade

On an island with Cugat's CD

Sammy Somekh | Ramat-Gan Israel | 12/03/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"ON AN ISLAND WITH CUGAT'S CDIf I were to spend the rest of my life on a desert island with only one Latin CD, this is the one I'd choose. I believe Xavier Cugat's best recordings were made on RCA Victor between 1937 and, especially, 1940 ("Cuban Love Song"; "Bim Bam Boom" on Harlequin). After switching to Columbia in 1941, the orchestrations got more sophisticated, creating that inimitable Cugat sound unrivalled by any other Latin orchestra. However, on several recordings, Columbia's producers probably asked Cugat to leave his rhythm section at the Waldorf because they preferred subdued percussion. It wasn't until the late forties that the beat began to pick up again ("Jack, Jack, Jack" on Harlequin).In the latter half of the fifties, Cugat recorded three outstanding albums for Columbia: "Merengue by Cugat", "Bread, Love and Cha Cha Cha" and "Cugat Cavalcade". The latter two are on this CD representing the sweet and the sizzling. On "Cavalcade" the lush strings provide enchanting arrangements of evergreen Latin standards. On "Bread, Love..." the blistering brass explodes all the way backed by percolating percussion. Never had Cugat swung harder. Even so, the music is not devoid of depth and emotion. A case in point: "The Banana Boat Song", ably sung by Pepito Arvelo (the featured vocalist on this album) in a plaintive vein redolent of the banana picker's toil and hard life (as opposed to Harry Belafonte's gimmicky interpretation which became a hit anyway). Arvelo's soulful rendition of "Suavecito" is another high point. "Maria La O", states the theme on the French horn, an appropriate instrument for "Maria of the Winds". And dig La Paloma's unusual arrangement which segues into a rousing guaracha beat in the latter half; or "Coco Seco" (Dry Coconut) where the coconut dried up probably because of the fiery orchestrations! I agree with Rob Lee that ALL the selections are great.So give me my island and this CD and I'll be muy contento."

ANOTHER FANTASTIC CD FROM CUGAT

Rob Lee | St. Petersburg, Florida United States | 01/05/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have purchased about 10 C.D.'s of Xavier Cugat's. On many of them, some of the recordings I really DON'T like. On this particular C.D., they are ALL great [to me]. I have bought several of this one to give to friends. I keep looking for your new releases. Thanks, Rob Lee."

I am biased... after all Pepito Arvelo was my uncle

Cojonu | Dallas, TX | 11/22/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album has great timeless music. Before the latin craze of Ricky Martin, Shakira and Enrique Iglesias, these guys were setting the stage for La Vida Loca..."