Mondo Mambo: The Best of Perez Prado Album Reviews

Billboard requires a JavaScript enabled browser to get the full experience

AMG Review

A nice compilation from Rhino of greatest hits by the master (and, more than likely, the founder) of the mambo. Perez Prado was the original Mambo King, and this album attempts to explain that title in full detail. Many of the softer works are here, as any good fan would expect -- "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White," "Patricia," etc. Also, the notable inclusion of a couple works that showcase Beny More's vocals helps out the album somewhat, making use of the impressive singer. In addition, the more "standardized" mambos ("Mambo No. 5" and "Mambo No. 8") were included for good measure. Overall, the album has everything that a good Perez Prado album should have, and little of what a poor album might have. The squealing, blasting trumpets and tight, competitive rhythm section work that give Prado's arrangements their true hallmark douse the whole of the album. That's a good thing for mambo fans. ~ Adam Greenberg, All Music Guide