Mambo Mania / Havana 3 A.M.

(2 LPs on 1 CD + 32 page booklet) Cuban-born bandleader Perez Prado became the 'Mambo King' of the 1950s, best remembered for his trademark 'Unh!' But there was more to Prado than vocal grunts. A charismatic bandleader, he was among the pioneers of Latin jazz (Mambo A La Kenton is a prime example) who managed to make 'hot' music that was both adventuresome and popular (hence his hit version of Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White). These 1953-1956 RCA recordings, made in Mexico City, Hollywood and New York City, combine two popular Prado albums of the Fifties, Mambo Mania and Havana 3 a.m..