Olé is the first great
Cugat 12" LP of new material. Also, it may be the first appearance of the fantastic
Abbe Lane, his third and most illustrious wife, on a
Cugat album. She sings "Strangers in the Dark," as well as the mambos "Anything Can Happen" and "Humpty Dumpty." But the real vocal star performance is
Juan Manuel's rendering of "Aficano Soy," an Afro-Cuban at least as affecting as "Babalu." Further treats include the very exotic instrumentals "The Americano" and "Flute Nightmare." The liner notes and careful attention to author credits indicate a deliberate departure from the sheer pop of previous albums. With a gorgeous jacket, this is one not to miss -- what old vinyl is all about.