Search - Original Soundtrack :: Perez Family

Great Cuban Classics - Perfect for "Havana Parties"

Compay | New Orleans, LA | 01/18/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you ever decide to throw a 1950's Cuban theme party, this soundtrack would make for great listening. While several of the songs are classics that any mambo fan would already own, overall it's a nice compilation of songs.



Cuban tenor Benny Moré is remembered through two tracks on the album: Mata Siguaraya, and the timeless classic Camarera del Amor. The latter song, played in the movie as Alfred Molina's character peers into a bar, is still one of the most powerful pieces of Cuban music ever recorded.



The lively Mariel Boat Lift dance scene in the movie uses "Ay Maria Elena" as a spirited backdrop. Also on this album is a track by Enrique Jorrin, better known to Cubans as the inventor of the cha-cha-chá. "Yo Soy el Punto Cubano" isn't credited on the Amazon description because it was performed by actress Angela Lanza as part of the festival near the film's conclusion.



It would be a travesty to have a Cuban film soundtrack without mambo legend Perez Prado, so Mambo No. 5 is included. I'd give this soundtrack five stars, but it's only 10 tracks, and most mambo aficionados would already own almost half of them. But what it does have is nothing short of excellent, this is great music for cooking Cuban in the kitchen, or get-togethers."