The suave and urbane Xavier Cugat was the man who first brought Cuban and Latin rhythms into public consciousness in the United States, and in the quarter century or more that spanned the Second World War from the '30s to the 60s Cugat's band was one of the most acclaimed on the international stage, and he appeared in a string of films and amassed an extraordinary catalogue of singles and albums. This collection covers his career in a musically anecdotal fashion and in broadly chronological order from his earliest recordings in the '30s through to material from the late '50s, and includes versions of many of his most popular tunes, along with some lesser known material, as a way of showcasing not only the essence of his style but also the breadth of technique and creative development. He was a colourful, larger-than- life personality, characteristics which certainly come across in this varied and enjoyable celebration of Latin exotica.
Tracks: 1.1 Caminito 1.2 Lady in Red 1.3 Begin the Beguine 1.4 Jalousie 1.5 Mi Sombrero 1.6 Bruca Manigua 1.7 Night Must Fall 1.8 Cuban Love Song 1.9 Perfidia 1.10 Yours (Queireme Mucho) 1.11 La Cumparsita 1.12 Siboney 1.13 The Breeze and I 1.14 Green Eyes 1.15 Peanut Vendor (El Manisero) 1.16 La Negra Leonor 1.17 Chica Chica Boom Chic 1.18 La Cucuracha 1.19 Rumba Rhapsody 1.20 Misirlou 1.21 Brazil 1.22 Thanks for the Dream 1.23 Amor 1.24 Jarabe Tapatio (Mexican Hat Dance) 1.25 Bim Bam Bum 1.26 Bahia 2.1 You Belong to My Heart 2.2 Good Good Good (That's You, That's You) 2.3 My Shawl 2.4 Tierra Va Tembla 2.5 Rumba Rumba 2.6 Oye Negra 2.7 Walter Winchell Rhumba 2.8 Minsen Lamang 2.9 Rain in Spain 2.10 South America Take It Away 2.11 Miami Beach Rumba 2.12 Rhumba at the Waldorf 2.13 Cuanto Le Gusta 2.14 Jamay 2.15 Cuban Mambo 2.16 Greek Bolero 2.17 Alla en El Rancho Grande 2.18 Temptation 2.19 Flute Nightmare 2.20 Cherry Pink Apple Blossom White 2.21 Uuuh! 2.22 Rico Vacilon 2.23 Tico Tico 2.24 Besame Mucho
