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There's no better way to start a post-holiday work week...than with energetic music.
Hey...how about some mambos?
The mambo was reportedly created in La Habana in 1943 by Perez Prado...though when I lived in Cuba...nobody danced it. At least, I don't think so.
It was ALL salsa...ALL the time.
Wikipedia claims the word "mambo" means conversation with the gods in Kikongo, the language spoken by Central African slaves taken to Cuba.
La Cubana is an expert salsera. She also delights in a Cuban version of dirty dancing...that makes me hold back a big smirk. Blame it on my midwest USA upbringing.
But mambo...no, she doesn't!
The most recent mambo hit was Lou Bega's..."Mambo Number 5"(Bega pictured above).
I was in Santiago de Cuba when it was popular.
It was also in Santiago...in a hot crowded tourist hotel bar called the Versailles...in the hills above the city...that I witnessed an amazing salsa contest.
Nothing I've seen in Las Vegas...or dancing by fading stars on TV ...has ever topped that event.
Did they mambo? Who knows!
Anyway, Bega's music video, as expected, has the usual writhing females.
Then there's this version of "Mambo Italiano" 2:58...sung by the deep voice of Gerard Darmon ...and choreographed with muppets. Very cute video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGnh0q4RuQ8
My personal favorite however...the one I've been replaying over and over this week...(3:45) is by Filippa Giordano of Mexican/Sicilian ancestry.
NO video...only a static foto.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNEHq24wPQc
Giordano was previously unknown to me.
Her version is so lively, rousing, fast paced...and yes, sensual.
Filippa shouts...and purrs..."Italiano"...that she almost channels
... that old lecher...PM Silvio Berlusconi.
