Historically, the first Orfeon record label was a Turkish enterprise that was purchased by Columbia in 1924 and continued to operate out of Constantinople/Istanbul for another 50 years. The Mexican Orfeon label, on the other hand, was founded in the '50s and established a good working relationship with
Bill Haley & His Comets (known to Hispanic audiences as Bill Haley y Sus Cometas) during the Twist Craze of the early ‘60s. This Orfeon specializes in Latin American music, and has released more than two-dozen albums by
Pérez Prado, one of the most commercially successful Latino bandleaders of his generation. In 2004, the label brought out
Mambo King, a 40-track, two-fer CD. Despite what can only be called a glut of
Prado albums (many of them budget samplers containing a paltry selection of ubiquitous hits), this particular collection occupies a niche near the top of the heap. It has more than a handful of titles in common with similarly worthwhile collections issued by Proper, Sony, and RCA, and
Prado's entry in Columbia River's Cocktail Hour series. Vocalists who pop up throughout Orfeon's
Mambo King are Cubans
Celio Gonzalez and
Celia Cruz, as well as Puerto Rican bolero master
Daniel Santos. You'll also want to listen for Mexican divas
Maria Victoria and Maria Antonia del Carmen Peregrino, commonly known as
Toña la Negra. In addition to a lot of hot numbers that don't last very long, the set includes a heavy disco "Mr. Loco" mix, and the eight-minute, big-band jam "Mata Siguaraya." This is excellent music for working, driving, exercising, carousing, and celebration.