Esquivel records are typically considered the ultimate way to show off the magic of stereo sound. It hardly seems possible that the full effect could come from a monaural recording. But his debut LP,
To Love Again, is easily his finest work. By 1957, greatness already had been conferred on
Esquivel in Mexico (where the album was recorded) and among music professionals in the United States. It was only a matter of introducing the man to the American public, and
To Love Again clearly indicates a great concentration of effort, the culmination of years of preparation, professionalism, and perfectionism. The material generally is of the exotic, Latin variety associated with Lecuona.
Xavier Cugat's "Nightingale," "Nocturnal," "Besame Mucho," and "Siboney" all are first-rate and compare with any of
Esquivel's best later work. The remainder of the album really is about as good, making it consistently excellent from start to finish. The trademark chorus is present throughout. Note that
Esquivel's arrangement of "Jungle Drums" makes its first LP appearance here; it is updated on his second greatest album, the historic stereo masterpiece
Latin-Esque. And "Besame Mucho" is reworked on 1967's
The Genius of Esquivel.