The Best of 1960 Latin Music
A blog dedicated to the best of 1960 Latin Music. A must have for any music lover!
Intro
It was the decade of the mambo craze, the rise of the cha-cha-cha, and the birth of the bossa nova. It was also a time when new talent from Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Mexico began making their mark on the Latin music scene. Here are some of the best Latin albums of 1960.
Cha Cha Cha
“El Cumbanchero” – Rafael Hernandez
El Cumbanchero is a classic Latin song that was originally composed by Rafael Hernandez in 1938. The song became popular in the 1960s when it was recorded by various artists, including Tito Puente and Pablo Beltran. It has since been covered by many other artists, including Jerry Garcia and Santana.
“La Paloma” – Blanquita Amaro
Blanquita Amaro (born March 11, 1930) is a Cuban singer and actress. She began her career as a dancer but soon turned to singing. She achieved great popularity in Cuba during the 1950s and 1960s and was known as “La Muñequita de la Sonora Matancera”. She later moved to Mexico where she continued her singing career.
Amaro was born in Santiago de Cuba. Her father, Domingo Amaro Díaz, was a musician who played the trombone in the Municipal Band of Santiago de Cuba. Her mother, Juana Díaz González, was a housewife. She had two brothers, Domingo and Roberto, and two sisters, Gladys and Inés.
Amaro began her career as a dancer but soon turned to singing. She achieved great popularity in Cuba during the 1950s and 1960s and was known as “La Muñequita de la Sonora Matancera”. She later moved to Mexico where she continued her singing career.
She recorded her first album in Mexico in 1961, titled Blanquita Amaro Canta en Español y en Ingles. The album contained covers of international hits such as “BlueBerry Hill” and “La Paloma”. In 1962, she released her second album, Blanquita Amaro Canta Boleros Volumen 2. The album contained boleros such as “Besame Mucho” and “Solamente una Vez”.
“Quizas, Quizas, Quizas” – Osvaldo Farres
“Quizás, Quizás, Quizás” (English: “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps”) is a song written in 1947 by Cuban songwriter Osvaldo Farrés. The original version was performed by Cuban singer and actor Bola de Nieve. The song became a standardrecorded by many artists, including Nat King Cole’s English-language version and many rhythm and blues artists. In the United States, it peaked at number 22 on the Billboard pop singles chart in 1966.
The song has been recorded by many artists in a variety of genres, including Sergent Garcia, who users it as the base for his hip hop/salsa fusion track “Envidia”.
Mambo
Mambo is a musical genre and style that originated in Cuba. The word “mambo” is Cuban Spanish for “conversation with the gods”. Mambo began as a Cuban popular dance music in the early 1940s. It was derived from Cuban son, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and the musical style of Arsenio Rodríguez. The original mambo dancers were Cuban.
“Mambo No. 5” – Perez Prado
“Mambo No. 5” is a song co-written and recorded by Cuban Dámaso Pérez Prado. The song’s title refers to Prado’s own band, which was called “La Orquestra de Pérez Prado”, and to the famous Mambo dance. It was originally released in 1949 as an instrumental, though it was later adapted into a vocal version with English lyrics by Gil Fuller and Dick Wilson, which became a surprise global hit in 1950.
It was first popularized in the United States by bandleader and trombonist Stan Kenton and his orchestra, although Kenton’s recording of the song was not released until 1951. It quickly reached number 1 on Billboard magazine’s newly created Most Played Juke Box Folk Records chart, which later became known as the Hot Country Singles chart. “Mambo No. 5” would go on to become one of Perez Prado’s most well-known and enduring hits, remaining popular long after its initial release.
“El Meneaito” – El General
El Meneaito is a song by Panamanian reggaeton artist El General. It was released in 1990 as the lead single from his album The Best of 1960 Latin Music. The song became a major hit in Panama and across Latin America, helping to popularize reggaeton music in the region.
“Babalu” – Xavier Cugat
Xavier Cugat (January 1900 – October 1990) was a Catalan-American musician and bandleader who became known as “The King of the Rhumba” and helped to popularize Cuban and Latin music in the United States during the 1930s and 1940s. He also played a significant role in bringing Latin American music to mainstream audiences worldwide.
Born in Catalonia, Spain, Cugat moved to the United States with his family at the age of four. He grew up in New York City, where he studied violin and viola at an early age. He later played with several dance bands before forming his own orchestra in 1922.
Cugat’s orchestra became one of the most popular attractions at New York’s Waldorf Astoria hotel during the 1930s. The band also played at leading nightclubs and hotels across the country, including the Cocoanut Grove in Los Angeles and the Palmer House in Chicago. In addition to his work as a bandleader, Cugat also composed film scores and recorded a number of crossover hits that reached mainstream audiences, including “Babalu” (1941), ” El Manisero” (1942) and “Perfidia” (1945).
Cugat continued to perform and record until his death in 1990. His legacy as one of the most influential Latin American musicians of all time was honored posthumously when he was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001.
Bolero
1960 was a great year for Latin music, and one of the best Bolero singers was Los Panchos. Los Panchos were a Mexican trio who specialized in Bolero and other Latin music genres. They were active from the 1940s until the early 2000s, and released over 50 albums.
“Perfidia” – Alberto Dominguez
Bolero is a 1960 Latin music album that features the work of composer Alberto Dominguez. The album includes the song “Perfidia”, which is often considered one of the best Latin songs of all time.
“Besame Mucho” – Consuelo Velazquez
“Besame Mucho” is a song written in 1928 by Mexican songwriter Consuelo Velazquez. The song quickly became a standard and has been recorded by many artists over the years. “Besame Mucho” is one of the most covered songs in the history of Latin music.
“Besame Mucho” is a ballad with a slow, sultry feel. The lyrics describe a lover’s longing for a moment of passion with their beloved. “Besame Mucho” has been recorded by some of the biggest names in Latin music, including Celia Cruz, Gloria Estefan, and Luis Miguel.
The song was inducted into the Latin Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001 and has been called “the most popular Mexican song in the world.”
“Nostalgia Cubana” – Miguel Matamoros
“Nostalgia Cubana” is a classic bolero song written by Cuban composer Miguel Matamoros. The song became popular in the 1960s, and has been covered by many artists since then. “Nostalgia Cubana” is a beautiful, nostalgic ballad that evokes the memories of Matamoros’ homeland. The lyrics are longing and wistful, and the melody is both haunting and peaceful. “Nostalgia Cubana” is a timeless classic that is sure to please any fan of Latin music.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the best Latin music of 1960 include various artists and genres that were popular at the time. These include artists such as Al Martino, Ben E. King, Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass, and The Miracles. While there is no clear consensus on the best album or song of the year, these are some of the most widely acclaimed and popular Latin music releases of 1960.
