Esquivel: Cabaret Maņana
Check out this artist at Amazon.com

Juan Garcia Esquivel

Cabaret Mañana

RCA

Cabaret Mañana is basically the ''Best of Esquivel,'' featuring some of the idolized Mexican orchestra leader's more famous, silly and unusual numbers. This twenty-song collection covers the nine years of his U.S. recording career. Ironic, suave and unique, Esquivel's music skirts the fringe of good taste, and when you pop in this CD for the first time you immediately realize you're leaving the real world behind for strange waters after hearing only a few bars of the opening number, ''Mini Skirt,'' a campy, Latin-esque original that overflows with the nonsense vocal arrangements that became Esquivel's trademark. Other Esquivel originals included on this compilation include the utterly silly ''Mucha Muchacha,'' the instantly catchy ''Question Mark (Qué Vas a Hacer),'' the upbeat ''Yeyo,'' and the cheesy ''Guanacoa.''

Though there is quite a bit of corn being thrown around on this album, don't let that turn you off. It makes for an interesting listen. ''It Had to Be You'' stands out, with its gritty, intoxicated trumpet. ''Limehouse Blues'' is given an Oriental twist. A haunting, whistled melody makes ''Sentimental Journey'' an appealing mix of corn and nostalgia.

Not every number, though, leans towards the very silly. Esquivel's version of ''Night and Day'' is elegant to say the least, and ''Harlem Nocturne'' is given an eerie, mysterious twist. ''Estrellita'' and ''April in Portugal'' are aptly described as quite beautiful, as is the poignant and pretty ''Time on My Hands.'' ''Malagueña'' is a grandiose Spanish march in full orchestral movement.

For the uninitiated, Cabaret Mañana is a good introduction to the strange world of Esquivel. It may not be for everyone, but if you like campy, ironic music you'll like Esquivel.

Track Listing

  • 1. Mini Skirt
  • 2. Johnson Rag
  • 3. Night and Day
  • 4. El Cable
  • 5. Harlem Nocturne
  • 6. Mucha Muchacha
  • 7. Time on My Hands
  • 8. Malagueña
  • 9. Guanacoa
  • 10. Sentimental Journey
  • 11. Estrellita
  • 12. Limehouse Blues
  • 13. Todavia
  • 14. April in Portugal
  • 15. Take the ''A'' Train
  • 16. Question Mark (Que Vas a Hacer)
  • 17. It Had to Be You
  • 18. Yeyo
  • 19. Lullaby of Birdland
  • 20. Flower Girl from Bordeaux