Mambo (album)
Encyclopedia
Mambo is the fifth studio album by Spanish
duo Azúcar Moreno
, released on CBS
-Epic
in 1991.
The duo's two previous studio albums Carne De Melocotón
and Bandido
had resulted in the release of two remix albums, Mix In Spain
and The Sugar Mix Album
. Mambo was their first studio album on which the influences from contemporary dance music genres like house music
, R&B and hip hop
were fully integrated in the original production; the track "Feria" even saw the sisters making their debut as rappers. The album was also the first not to be entirely recorded in Spain or predominantly produced by their longtime collaborator Julio Palacios - it had no less than ten producers.
The lead single "Torero!", although as typically flamenco-flavoured as their international breakthrough single "Bandido", was in fact written and produced by Englishmen Nick Fisher and Garry Hughes and German Zeus B. Held
and was recorded in London. Fisher and Hughes have since gone on to collaborate with numerous artists in the electronica
/experimental/world music
genres under the moniker Echo System, including Björk
, The Shamen
, Salif Keita
, Garbage
and Pop Will Eat Itself
. "Torero!" was in 1992 covered in Turkish under the title "Yetti Artik" by Tarkan, one of Turkey's biggest stars both domestically and internationally. The song was included on his debut album Yine Sensiz
.
Follow-up single and title track "Mambo" was written and produced by Enrique "Kiki" Garcia and Hector Almaguer
, both longtime collaborators with Gloria Estefan
and Miami Sound Machine and writers of numerous hits for Julio Iglesias
, Chayanne
and José Luis Rodríguez
. "Mambo" was Azúcar Moreno's first recording made in Miami, the United States and also the first to include Cuba
n influences, of which there would be plenty on the following albums Ojos Negros
and El Amor. In the United States the single reached #6 on Billboard's Hot Latin Tracks chart.
Further singles issued from Mambo include a cover of Nino Segarra
's "Tu Quieres Más (Porque Te Amo)" (#12, US Hot Latin Tracks), "Lujuria" and "Ahora O Nunca", the latter composed by the team behind "Bandido". Just like the Bandido album, Mambo also featured a number of flamenco/dance cover versions of songs from a wide variety of genres; the 60s soul
classic "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher
", originally recorded by Jackie Wilson
, the Mexican
standard "Besame Mucho
" from the 1940s, the Rolling Stones' 1966 hit "Paint It, Black
" and "El Cóndor Pasa
", a Peruvian Andean folk tune
covered by Simon & Garfunkel on their final studio album Bridge Over Troubled Water
in 1970.
Mambo, which sold double platinum in Azúcar Moreno's native Spain, became their proper breakthrough album not only in Latin America
but also on the Japanese market where all their albums have been released ever since. The Japanese edition of Mambo was issued with different cover art and the CD included two tracks from their previous studio albums Carne De Melocotón
and Bandido
, "Aunque Me Falte El Aire" and "Bandido", as bonus features. The ten track vinyl edition issued in most parts of the world omitted "Feria", "Paint It Black" and the alternate mixes of "Torero!" and "Mambo". In the United States the album reached #5 on Billboard's Latin Pop chart.
"Mambo" and "Tu Quieres Más (Porque Te Amo)" were both included on Azúcar Moreno's first greatest hits album Mucho Azúcar - Grandes Éxitos
, released in 1997.
LP
Side A
Side B
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
duo Azúcar Moreno
Azúcar Moreno
Azúcar Moreno was a famous Spanish music duo who have sold more than 3 million albums and singles since 1985 domestically, and became famous in Europe, the United States and Latin America in the 1990s, with approximately 10 million albums sold worldwide.-Biography:Composed by sisters Antonia and...
, released on CBS
CBS Records
CBS Records is a record label founded by CBS Corporation in 2006 to take advantage of music from its entertainment properties owned by CBS Television Studios. The initial label roster consisted of only three artists; rock band Señor Happy and singer/songwriters Will Dailey and P.J...
-Epic
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
in 1991.
The duo's two previous studio albums Carne De Melocotón
Carne De Melocotón
Carne De Melocotón is the third studio album by Spanish duo Azúcar Moreno, their debut for the CBS-Epic label. The album, whose title translates as Peach Flesh, was released in 1988 and saw the Salazár sisters embracing influences from contemporary pop, rock and dance music and arrangements with...
and Bandido
Bandido (album)
Bandido is the fourth studio album by Spanish duo Azúcar Moreno, released on CBS-Epic in 1990. The album became the Salazár sisters' international breakthrough....
had resulted in the release of two remix albums, Mix In Spain
Mix In Spain
Mix In Spain is a remix album by Spanish duo Azúcar Moreno, released on CBS-Epic in 1989.Following the duo's breakthrough in 1989 with the house music remix of the track "Debajo Del Olivo", subtitled Mix in Spain, they released a full-length album with the same title, including the mainpart of the...
and The Sugar Mix Album
The Sugar Mix Album
The Sugar Mix Album is the second remix album by Spanish duo Azúcar Moreno, released on CBS-Epic in late 1990.Following the duo's international breakthrough in 1990 with the Eurovision Song Contest entry "Bandido" and the album with the same title they released their second remix collection...
. Mambo was their first studio album on which the influences from contemporary dance music genres like house music
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
, R&B and hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
were fully integrated in the original production; the track "Feria" even saw the sisters making their debut as rappers. The album was also the first not to be entirely recorded in Spain or predominantly produced by their longtime collaborator Julio Palacios - it had no less than ten producers.
The lead single "Torero!", although as typically flamenco-flavoured as their international breakthrough single "Bandido", was in fact written and produced by Englishmen Nick Fisher and Garry Hughes and German Zeus B. Held
Zeus B. Held
Zeus B. Held is a German music producer and musician, known for his work in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. He was involved with several artists of the Krautrock, Disco and New Wave era, such as Birth Control, Rockets, Gina X Performance, Dead Or Alive, John Foxx, Fashion and Men Without Hats on their...
and was recorded in London. Fisher and Hughes have since gone on to collaborate with numerous artists in the electronica
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
/experimental/world music
World music
World music is a term with widely varying definitions, often encompassing music which is primarily identified as another genre. This is evidenced by world music definitions such as "all of the music in the world" or "somebody else's local music"...
genres under the moniker Echo System, including Björk
Björk
Björk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
, The Shamen
The Shamen
The Shamen were an experimental electronic music band, from 1985–1999, initially formed in Aberdeen, Scotland, as a psychedelic-influenced indie rock act. The founding members are Colin Angus , Derek McKenzie and Keith McKenzie...
, Salif Keita
Salif Keita
Salif Keïta is an internationally recognized afro-pop singer-songwriter from Mali. He is unique not only because of his reputation as the Golden Voice of Africa, but because he has albinism and is a direct descendant of the founder of the Mali Empire, Sundiata Keita...
, Garbage
Garbage (band)
Garbage are an alternative rock band formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1994. The group consists of Scottish singer Shirley Manson and American musicians Duke Erikson , Steve Marker and Butch Vig . All four members are involved in songwriting and production...
and Pop Will Eat Itself
Pop Will Eat Itself
Pop Will Eat Itself are an English alternative rock band, originally formed in Stourbridge in 1986, with members from Birmingham, Coventry and the Black Country. Initially known as a Grebo act, their style changed to incorporate sample driven indie and industrial rock...
. "Torero!" was in 1992 covered in Turkish under the title "Yetti Artik" by Tarkan, one of Turkey's biggest stars both domestically and internationally. The song was included on his debut album Yine Sensiz
Yine Sensiz
Yine Sensiz is the 1992 album of the Turkish pop singer Tarkan Tevetoğlu. This was his debut album and launched him onto the Turkish pop scene which was modest at the time. Last 3 tracks were added during its released in 1993...
.
Follow-up single and title track "Mambo" was written and produced by Enrique "Kiki" Garcia and Hector Almaguer
Hector Almaguer
Hector Almaguer is a musician, writer, producer and record executive whose work has won a Clio Award and has been Grammy nominated.-Biography:Almaguer received an undergraduate degree in Studio Music and Jazz from the University of Miami...
, both longtime collaborators with Gloria Estefan
Gloria Estefan
Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo García de Estefan; known professionally as Gloria Estefan is a Cuban-born American singer, songwriter, and actress. Known as the "Queen Of Latin Pop", she is in the top 100 best selling music artists with over 100 million albums sold worldwide, 31.5 million of those...
and Miami Sound Machine and writers of numerous hits for Julio Iglesias
Julio Iglesias
Julio José Iglesias de la Cueva , better known simply as Julio Iglesias, is a Spanish singer who has sold over 300 million records worldwide in 14 languages and released 77 albums. According to Sony Music Entertainment, he is one of the top 15 best selling music artists in history,...
, Chayanne
Chayanne
Elmer Figueroa Arce , best known under the stage name Chayanne, is a Puerto Rican Latin pop singer and actor. As a solo artist, Chayanne has released 21 solo-albums and sold over 20 million albums worldwide.-Early life:...
and José Luis Rodríguez
José Luis Rodríguez
José Luis Rodríguez may refer to:*José Luis Rodríguez , , former Argentine football striker*José Luis Rodríguez González , El Puma, , Venezuelan singer and actor...
. "Mambo" was Azúcar Moreno's first recording made in Miami, the United States and also the first to include Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
n influences, of which there would be plenty on the following albums Ojos Negros
Ojos Negros (album)
Ojos Negros is the sixth studio album by Spanish duo Azúcar Moreno, released on Sony-Epic in 1992. The album's title translates as Dark Eyes and is a reference to one of the tracks included, the Chilean folk tune "Yo Vendo Unos Ojos Negros"....
and El Amor. In the United States the single reached #6 on Billboard's Hot Latin Tracks chart.
Further singles issued from Mambo include a cover of Nino Segarra
Nino Segarra
Nino Segarra , is a singer, composer, musician and musical arranger.-Early years:Segarra was born in Maricao, Puerto Rico into a family of musicians. He was always surrounded by many musical instruments and as a child learned how to play the drums, guitar and cuatro. He received his primary and...
's "Tu Quieres Más (Porque Te Amo)" (#12, US Hot Latin Tracks), "Lujuria" and "Ahora O Nunca", the latter composed by the team behind "Bandido". Just like the Bandido album, Mambo also featured a number of flamenco/dance cover versions of songs from a wide variety of genres; the 60s soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
classic "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher
(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher
" Higher and Higher" is a hit R&B song originally performed by Jackie Wilson in 1967. The song was notably recorded by Rita Coolidge in 1977.-Overview:...
", originally recorded by Jackie Wilson
Jackie Wilson
Jack Leroy "Jackie" Wilson, Jr. was an American singer and performer. Known as "Mr. Excitement", Wilson was important in the transition of rhythm and blues into soul. He was known as a master showman, and as one of the most dynamic singers and performers in R&B and rock history...
, the Mexican
Music of Mexico
The music of Mexico is very diverse and features a wide range of different musical styles. It has been influenced by a variety of cultures, most notably indigenous Mexican and European, since the Late Middle Ages...
standard "Besame Mucho
Bésame Mucho
"Bésame Mucho" is a Spanish language song written in 1940 by Mexican songwriter Consuelo Velázquez.-Inspiration:According to Velázquez herself, she wrote this song even though she had never been kissed yet at the time, and kissing as she heard was considered a sin.She was inspired by the piano...
" from the 1940s, the Rolling Stones' 1966 hit "Paint It, Black
Paint It, Black
"Paint It, Black" is a song released by The Rolling Stones on 13 May 1966 as the first single from their fourth album Aftermath. It was originally titled "Paint It Black" without a comma. Keith Richards has stated that the comma was added by the record label, Decca.The song was written by Mick...
" and "El Cóndor Pasa
El Cóndor Pasa (song)
El Cóndor Pasa is a song from the zarzuela El Cóndor Pasa by the Peruvian composer Daniel Alomía Robles, written in 1913 and based on traditional Andean folk tunes....
", a Peruvian Andean folk tune
Andean music
Andean music comes from the general area inhabited by Quechuas, Aymaras and other peoples that lived roughly in the area of the Inca Empire prior to European contact. It includes folklore music of parts of Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela...
covered by Simon & Garfunkel on their final studio album Bridge Over Troubled Water
Bridge over Troubled Water
Bridge Over Troubled Water is the fifth and final studio album by Simon & Garfunkel. Released on January 26, 1970 on both Quadraphonic and Stereo formats, it reached No. 1 on Billboard Music Charts pop albums list...
in 1970.
Mambo, which sold double platinum in Azúcar Moreno's native Spain, became their proper breakthrough album not only in Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
but also on the Japanese market where all their albums have been released ever since. The Japanese edition of Mambo was issued with different cover art and the CD included two tracks from their previous studio albums Carne De Melocotón
Carne De Melocotón
Carne De Melocotón is the third studio album by Spanish duo Azúcar Moreno, their debut for the CBS-Epic label. The album, whose title translates as Peach Flesh, was released in 1988 and saw the Salazár sisters embracing influences from contemporary pop, rock and dance music and arrangements with...
and Bandido
Bandido (album)
Bandido is the fourth studio album by Spanish duo Azúcar Moreno, released on CBS-Epic in 1990. The album became the Salazár sisters' international breakthrough....
, "Aunque Me Falte El Aire" and "Bandido", as bonus features. The ten track vinyl edition issued in most parts of the world omitted "Feria", "Paint It Black" and the alternate mixes of "Torero!" and "Mambo". In the United States the album reached #5 on Billboard's Latin Pop chart.
"Mambo" and "Tu Quieres Más (Porque Te Amo)" were both included on Azúcar Moreno's first greatest hits album Mucho Azúcar - Grandes Éxitos
Mucho Azúcar - Grandes Éxitos
Mucho Azúcar – Grandes Éxitos is a greatest hits album by Spanish duo Azúcar Moreno, released on Sony International in 1997.Following the success of 1996 album Esclava De Tu Piel and its string of hit singles Azúcar Moreno released their first career retrospective, Mucho Azúcar - Grandes Éxitos,...
, released in 1997.
Track listing
CD- "Mambo" (Hector AlmaguerHector AlmaguerHector Almaguer is a musician, writer, producer and record executive whose work has won a Clio Award and has been Grammy nominated.-Biography:Almaguer received an undergraduate degree in Studio Music and Jazz from the University of Miami...
, Enrique "Kiki" Garcia) - 3:47 - "Lujuria" (Javier Losada, Julián Ruiz) - 4:50
- "Torero!" (Nick Fisher, Garry Hughes, lyrics: Luis G. Escolar) - 4:36
- "Tu Quieres Más (Porque Te Amo)" (Pedro Arroyo) - 4:26
- "Ahora O Nunca" (José L. Abel, Raúl Orellana, Jaime Stinus) - 3:53
- "Feria" (Javier Losada, Julián Ruiz) - 3:16
- "Bailaor (Bolero)" (Ayram, C. Biondi, C. Tarantola, M. Biondi, Spanish lyrics: Pedro L. Rito) - 3:36
- "Tus Besos Me Matan" (J. Miguel Evora, Isidoro Muñoz) - 4:33
- "Loca Reloca" ("(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" Higher and Higher" is a hit R&B song originally performed by Jackie Wilson in 1967. The song was notably recorded by Rita Coolidge in 1977.-Overview:...
") (Gary Lee Jackson, Raynard Miner, Paul Smith, Spanish lyrics: Luis G. Escolar) - 4:20 - "Bésame MuchoBésame Mucho"Bésame Mucho" is a Spanish language song written in 1940 by Mexican songwriter Consuelo Velázquez.-Inspiration:According to Velázquez herself, she wrote this song even though she had never been kissed yet at the time, and kissing as she heard was considered a sin.She was inspired by the piano...
" (Consuelo Velázquez) - 4:26 - "Paint It, BlackPaint It, Black"Paint It, Black" is a song released by The Rolling Stones on 13 May 1966 as the first single from their fourth album Aftermath. It was originally titled "Paint It Black" without a comma. Keith Richards has stated that the comma was added by the record label, Decca.The song was written by Mick...
" (Mick JaggerMick JaggerSir Michael Philip "Mick" Jagger is an English musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and a founding member of The Rolling Stones....
, Keith RichardsKeith RichardsKeith Richards is an English musician, songwriter, and founding member of the Rolling Stones. Rolling Stone magazine said Richards had created "rock's greatest single body of riffs", and placed him as the "10th greatest guitarist of all time." Fourteen songs written by Richards and songwriting...
, Spanish lyrics: José Carreras) - 4:48 - "El Cóndor PasaEl Cóndor Pasa (song)El Cóndor Pasa is a song from the zarzuela El Cóndor Pasa by the Peruvian composer Daniel Alomía Robles, written in 1913 and based on traditional Andean folk tunes....
" (Jorge Milchberg, Daniel A. Robles, Spanish lyrics: Manuel Clavero) - 4:15 - "Torero!" (Single Version) (Nick Fisher, Gary Hughes, lyrics: Luis G. Escolar) - 3:57
- "Mambo" (CD Mix) (Hector AlmaguerHector AlmaguerHector Almaguer is a musician, writer, producer and record executive whose work has won a Clio Award and has been Grammy nominated.-Biography:Almaguer received an undergraduate degree in Studio Music and Jazz from the University of Miami...
, Enrique "Kiki" Garcia) - 4:09
LP
Side A
- "Mambo" (Hector AlmaguerHector AlmaguerHector Almaguer is a musician, writer, producer and record executive whose work has won a Clio Award and has been Grammy nominated.-Biography:Almaguer received an undergraduate degree in Studio Music and Jazz from the University of Miami...
, Enrique "Kiki" Garcia) - 3:47 - "Lujuria" (Javier Losada, Julián Ruiz) - 4:50
- "Torero!" (Nick Fisher, Garry Hughes, Spanish lyrics: Luis G. Escolar) - 4:36
- "Tu Quieres Más (Porque Te Amo)" (Pedro Arroyo) - 4:26
- "Ahora O Nunca" (José L. Abel, Raúl Orellana, Jaime Stinus) - 3:53
Side B
- "Bailaor (Bolero)" (Ayram, C. Biondi, C. Tarantola, M. Biondi, Spanish lyrics: Pedro L. Rito) - 3:36
- "Tus Besos Me Matan" (J. Miguel Evora, Isidoro Muñoz) - 4:33
- "Loca Reloca" ("(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" Higher and Higher" is a hit R&B song originally performed by Jackie Wilson in 1967. The song was notably recorded by Rita Coolidge in 1977.-Overview:...
") (Gary Lee Jackson, Raynard Miner, Paul Smith, Spanish lyrics: Luis G. Escolar) - 4:20 - "Bésame MuchoBésame Mucho"Bésame Mucho" is a Spanish language song written in 1940 by Mexican songwriter Consuelo Velázquez.-Inspiration:According to Velázquez herself, she wrote this song even though she had never been kissed yet at the time, and kissing as she heard was considered a sin.She was inspired by the piano...
" (Consuelo Velázquez) - 4:26 - "El Cóndor PasaEl Cóndor Pasa (song)El Cóndor Pasa is a song from the zarzuela El Cóndor Pasa by the Peruvian composer Daniel Alomía Robles, written in 1913 and based on traditional Andean folk tunes....
" (Jorge Milchberg, Daniel A. Robles, Spanish lyrics: Manuel Clavero) - 4:15
Production
- Enrique "Kiki" Garcia - record producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
("Mambo") - Hector AlmaguerHector AlmaguerHector Almaguer is a musician, writer, producer and record executive whose work has won a Clio Award and has been Grammy nominated.-Biography:Almaguer received an undergraduate degree in Studio Music and Jazz from the University of Miami...
- record producer ("Mambo") - Julian Ruiz - record producer ("Lujuria", "Feria", "Paint It, Black")
- Zeus B. HeldZeus B. HeldZeus B. Held is a German music producer and musician, known for his work in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. He was involved with several artists of the Krautrock, Disco and New Wave era, such as Birth Control, Rockets, Gina X Performance, Dead Or Alive, John Foxx, Fashion and Men Without Hats on their...
- producer ("Torero!") - Nick Fisher - producer ("Torero!")
- Garry Hughes - producer ("Torero!")
- Raúl Orellana - producer ("Ahora O Nunca")
- Jaime Stinus - producer ("Ahora O Nunca")
- Julio Palacios - producer ("Tu Quieres Más (Porque Te Amo)", "Bailaor (Bolero)", "Tus Besos Me Matan", "Loca Reloca", "Besame Mucho", "El Condor Pasa")
- Alex de la Nuez - producer ("Bailaor (Bolero)", "El Condor Pasa")
- Recorded at Studio Center West (Miami) ("Mambo"), Doublewironics (Madrid), Eastcote Studios (London) ("Torero!"), Estudios Sincronia (Madrid) and "El Camión" (Barcelona).
Sources and external links
- [ Allmusic discography]
- Discogs.com discography
- Rateyourmusic.com discography
- Discogs.com, Fisher/Hughes, Echo System