Don't cancel my rumba lessons!
08/24/1998
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Cugat was known as the King of the Rumba and for good reason. His arrangements are absolutely perfect rhythms for this dance. His tempo is just right for the "cuban walk", i.e. the sway motion of many latin dances. Lesson no. 1: to dance the rumba keep your "topside' perfectly still while below the "waterline", move like a burlap sack full of weasels. Short shuffling steps are also key. [The earliest rumba dancers were slaves in the West Indies who were wearing leg irons a lot during their leisure moments.] Slow-quick-quick. Slow-quick-quick. Seriously, this is a sweet collection but not my favorite. Actually, I wish I could get my hands on a Columbia Record Club LP that was issued in the mid to late 50's as a bonus."