Album Review:
The Unheard: 1934-37 Transcription Discs and Broadcasts
- Release Date: 2000
- Genre: Easy Listening
- Label: Harlequin
- Artist: Xavier Cugat
- Flags: Compilation (best of)
- Type: Compilation
- Rating:
- Styles: Lounge, Afro-Cuban Jazz, Big Band
- Track Picks: "Canto Karabali (Jungle Drums)," "Mexicali Rose," "Para Vigo Me Voy (Say Si Si)"
Review
Harlequin's exhaustively complete series on Brazilian-American dance bandleader Xavier Cugat has turned up countless rare recordings either waxed for broadcast purposes or recorded while being broadcast live over the radio. This installment compiles material dating from the years 1934-1937. It documents Cugat's efforts to assimilate himself and his orchestra into the North American dance band market while retaining a certain amount of authentic Latin American repertoire. This makes for an assortment of equatorial delights and lightweight U.S. pop tunes that sometimes sound more like George Hall or Richard Himber rather than Xavier Cugat, who was always at his best when purveying exotic instrumental mood music. Featured vocalists on this compilation are Carmen Castillo and Pedro Berrios. Highlights include the refreshing "Canto Karabali," the aromatic "Para Vigo Me Voy" and a magical piano interlude by Nilo Menendez that unfortunately only lasts a minute-and-a-half. This archival grab bag will at least temporarily satisfy any cravings you might have for vintage Cugat nougats. ~ arwulf arwulf, All Music GuideTracks
| Track Title | iTunes | Composers | Performers | Time |
| Everybody Calls It Swing | Xavier Cugat | (2:22) | ||
| Midnight Blues | Xavier Cugat | (2:24) | ||
| Mexicali Rose | Xavier Cugat | (2:49) | ||
| You Turned the Tables on Me | Xavier Cugat | (3:27) | ||
| Love, What Are You Doing to My Heart | Xavier Cugat | (4:17) | ||
| La Bamba | Robin | Xavier Cugat | (3:49) | |
| I've Got You Under My Skin | Xavier Cugat | (2:27) | ||
| Quiereme Mucho | Gonzalo Roig, Jack Sherr | Xavier Cugat | (1:45) | |
| Canto Karabali (Jungle Drums) | Xavier Cugat | (3:03) | ||
| Me Voy a Baracoa | Xavier Cugat | (2:47) | ||
| Mama Inez | Eliseo Grenet, L. Wolfe Gilbert | Xavier Cugat | (1:42) | |
| Green Eyes | Nilo Menendez, Adolfo Utrera | Xavier Cugat | (2:28) | |
| Piano Interlude by Nilo Menéndez | Xavier Cugat | (1:24) | ||
| Hold Me Tight | Xavier Cugat | (3:08) | ||
| Para Vigo Me Voy (Say Si Si) | Xavier Cugat | (3:30) | ||
| La Golondrina | Narciso Serradel | Xavier Cugat | (2:51) | |
| Caminito | Xavier Cugat | (2:38) | ||
| Mama...Yo Quiero un Novio | Xavier Cugat | (2:25) | ||
| Como Arrullo de Palmas | Ernesto Lecuona | Xavier Cugat | (3:00) | |
| Negro Soy | Xavier Cugat | (3:17) | ||
| Cuatro Milpas |  |
Xavier Cugat | (2:46) | |
| Cuban Pete | Xavier Cugat | (3:00) | ||
| Quisiera Amarte Menos | Xavier Cugat | (2:40) | ||
| La Rosita | Xavier Cugat | (2:39) | ||
| Siboney | Ernesto Lecuona | Xavier Cugat | (1:51) | |
| El Sombrero de Gaspar | Traditional | Xavier Cugat | (3:15) |
