What The Critics Say
Olé is the first great Cugat 12" LP of new material. Also, it may be the first appearance of the fantastic Abbe Lane, his third and most illustrious wife, on a Cugat album. She sings "Strangers in the Dark," as well as the mambos "Anything Can Happen" and "Humpty Dumpty." But the real vocal star performance is Juan Manuel's rendering of "Aficano Soy," an Afro-Cuban at least as affecting as "Babalu." Further treats include the very exotic instrumentals "The Americano" and "Flute Nightmare." The liner notes and careful attention to author credits indicate a deliberate departure from the sheer pop of previous albums. With a gorgeous jacket, this is one not to miss -- what old vinyl is all about. ~ Tony Wilds, All Music Guide
'Mambo Fever'
What The Critics Say
Contrary to the title, Cugi's Cocktails is no sleepy album of "cocktail music." It has all the elements a listener would expect of Xavier Cugat's first great stereo album: an agreeable theme, a dash of exotic flair, and all the bombast of the preceding half-decade of experimenting with high-fidelity stereo recording. "One Mint Julep" would have made Twist With Cugat. Also of note are the bossa nova "Daiquiri," Hal Mooney's "Cugi's Cocktail" (a "hully gully cha cha"), and "Singapore Sling." Cugat's composition "Zombie" is exotic and wonderful, and only "Old-Fashioned" is dismissible. With fun, metaphor-laden liner notes and better than average artwork, Cugi's Cocktails makes a fine addition to any record collection or bar. ~ Tony Wilds, All Music Guide
'South America, Take It Away!'
'Invitacion Al Mambo Y Cha-cha-cha'
'Grandes Orquestas Americanas'
