Xavier Cugat Albums (59)
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'
Release Date 1/1/2006
Tracks 22
Label Public Domain International
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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!'
Release Date 4/27/2004
Tracks 18
Label Dynamic (Emp520)
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'Invitacion Al Mambo Y Cha-cha-cha'
Release Date 10/28/2003
Tracks 12
Label Import
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'Grandes Orquestas Americanas'
Release Date 9/1/1998
Tracks 15
Label International Music
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What The Critics Say
This collection compiles 16 tracks from several of Xavier Cugat's albums recorded for Decca Records in the mid-1960s. This marks a time in Cugat's career when he was largely chasing after trends (Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass and Brasil '66) and recasting current pop tunes in an effort to regain entry into the pop mainstream. The track highlights include Sonny and Cher's "Bang Bang," "Theme From Zorba the Greek," "Moon Over Naples," "Charade" and "La Playa (Aruba-La Plage)" from the album Bang Bang; "Judith," "Thunderball," "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah," and "Adios" from Dance Party; "Jungle Rhumba," "Compadre Pedro Juan," "The Jewish Wedding Song," and "Music to Watch Girls By" from Today; and "Chim, Chim, Cher-ee" and "Goldfinger" from Feeling Good. Most of the tracks are making their CD debut with the release of this collection. These four albums were dismal sellers upon release, but in light of the current interest in Latin music, they now almost seem like guides to the changing face of the genre. No matter how seemingly incongruous the material at hand, all feature that distinctive Cugat touch: the touch of a true master. ~ Cub Koda, All Music Guide
