Review, Analysis and Recordings Containing
Malambo No. 1
Malambo No. 1
| Malambo No. 1 Monophonic (Moisés Vivanco, Billy May - 2:53) Recorded in 1954 |
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| Review and Analysis of Malambo No. 1 by Nicholas E. Limansky From Yma Sumac - The Art Behind the Legend used with permission - all rights reserved, © Nicholas E. Limansky Read more on the Legacy of the Diva Web site! |
| This was a piece often used by Yma in nightclub appearances. It has some wonderful "bird" calls - which Yma sang by using grace note approaches to the high D. The text sounds suspiciously like "Oh what they do in Peru!" The middle section has the startling contrast of a darkly growled chest voice immediately followed by pure, focused head tones - a jolting effect. For a bridge into the second half of the song, Yma imitates the opening trumpet fanfare. These intricate figures of alternating staccato-legato are note and rhythmically perfect, providing a burst of brilliance like a flash of lightning. After this display, Yma again descends to her contralto register to repeat the melody in a sensual, warm voice, full of suggestive sighs and exclamations. The driving mambo rhythms underscore Yma's effects and produce an almost sexual appeal. The finish boasts a rhythmically repeated high D, two octaves above.
An alternate recording of this piece was released on the 1995 Rev Ola CD, Voice of the Xtabay and Other Exotic Delights (CREV034CD). Although the released version is definitely the more interesting of the two this alternate version has one or two moments of interest. Interestingly, this version, timed at 2:28 is framed in an arrangement that is a full third higher - which is why, perhaps it is missing so much of Yma's typical high register work. Such a high-lying arangement places the vocal line almost impossibly high for any additional interpolations. Gone are all the grace-notes and stacatto flourishes. The main theme is sung an octave lower and it is only at the end that Yma swoops to 3 very excellent stacatto high F sharps. Generally, too, the piece seems less compact and smooth. An alternate, instrumental "take" of this song was released on the 1997 RevOla CD, Yma Sumac Mambo! ...and More, (CREVO48CD) which only proves how much fun such songs are even without Yma's contributions. Although such out-takes are not of great importance in the Sumac canon, they serve to demonstrate the music used to frame her singing. They also show not only how such pieces are crafted but also how Yma's improvisations fit into the overall fabric of the piece. |
Malambo No. 1 is included on the following releases
Download-only version of Yma Sumac's Mambo!, probably a bootleg as no EMI/Capital Records licensing information could be found. These are the same tracks that can be found on legitimate releases of Mambo! but in a different order. The exact country of origin is unknown. 2013 Australia
catalog no: AMR381
Download-only version of Yma Sumac's 1954 Mambo recordings. 2010 United Kingdom
catalog no: SSL-4755 (P-2367)
U.S. military transcription LP (16" vinyl format) with an interesting and mixed collection of Yma Sumac's material from 1951 to 1954, and tracks by Johnny Desmond on the other side. This recording was made by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and released for airplay by the Armed For . . . 1954 United States
catalog no: EAP 2-564
One of Yma Sumac's most popular albums, Mambo! was released many times over around the world. This French release is part 2 of a two part EP. 1955 France
catalog no: H-564
This particular release was the first pressing of Yma Sumac's fifth album and both then when it was new, and now, it is one of her most popular albums. 1954 United States
catalog no: L-564
As with most South American pressings, this release from Brazil was made by Odeon. 1955 Brazil
"Promo test" pressing as a three LP set of a Compact Disc collection with the same title featuring many performers along with three of Yma Sumac's Mambo! tracks. 2002 France
catalog no: ST-26 498
12" LP compilation from Spain. Manel Domínguez-Navarro, who wrote the liner notes, is a regular visitor to this site and is also an Yma Sumac fan. 1982 Spain
catalog no: T-564
A reissue, first 12" LP release of fourth album with additional tracks from Capitol vaults 1956 United States
catalog no: M-11892
Reissue of fourth album with additional tracks from Capitol vaults. This is an abridged version (as noted on the lower back sleeve) which is missing Cha Cha Gitano from side two that is found on most other 12" LP and later reissues. 1979 United States
catalog no: 599331
Some later reissues of this title were abridged and had only ten tracks but this one is complete with eleven. 1987 France
catalog no: 7 80863
Reissue of fourth album which had only eight tracks, with additional tracks from Capitol vaults to fill the larger 12" LP format 1987 Greece
catalog no: UV-120
Another vinyl release by the Italian company which already released Voice of the Xtabay, Inca Taqui and Legend of the Sun Virgin on vinyl. 2005 Italy
catalog no: 7243 8 317161 3
Double LP Compilation from Greece features tracks from Voice of the Xtabay, Mambo! and Legend of the Jivaro 1971 Greece
catalog no: 8327832
Compact Disc collection from Greece features several tracks by Yma Sumac. Other artists include Nat King Cole, Peggy Lee, Mina, Joao Gilberto and many others. 1995 Greece
catalog no: C02152
Interesting compilation with three tracks by Yma Sumac and another by Bas Sheva, Les Baxter's later vocalist in the exotica realm. 2002 France
catalog no: IRMA 4954842
Film soundtrack from Italy, story is a comedy of errors about a bank mistake giving a man a fortune into his account. Somehow, two Yma Sumac tracks are woven into the score. Screenplay by Fabio Bonifacci. 1999 Italy
catalog no: PS39015
A collection featuring tracks drawn primarily from Yma Sumac's Mambo! (1954) and her Legend of the Sun Virgin (1952) albums with several others from various albums and singles. 2007 Germany
catalog no: ASIN: B000VZADOC
Movie soundtrack recording containing one song by Yma Sumac. The CD cover art is shown and the film is also available on DVD and Blu-ray 2007 United States
catalog no: CDP 7243-8-32 564
two tracks by Yma Sumac from her Mambo! album, recorded in 1954 1990 United States
catalog no: 0777-7 8063-2-1
CD reissue on the Capitol Right Stuff label. From Canada, this release has a clear tray rather than a solid yellow one as found on the U.S. releases and has advertisments behind the disk. Image at the right shows the cover in the tray with the Valu Plus text showing from below.. 1996 Canada
Peruvian CD-R reissue of Mambo! using the Fuego del Ande cover art. It is not known if this is a promotional release or a homemade CD-R. 2000 Perú
catalog no: TK-504
Compact disc made from vinyl sources pairs two records on one disk, with the two original cover arts on opposite sides of the CD packaging. It is interesting to note that this CD has the uncut version of Sojello which has not been heard in that form since the early releases after which the master . . . 1994 United States
catalog no: CREVO 48 CD
Compact disc compilation with previously-unreleased tracks including several instrumentals. This is a great compilation but is hard to find. 1997 United Kingdom
catalog no: CRREV175
Reissue of popular collection from England. Not to be confused with the reissue using the same cover art, this CD is a compilation that features previously unreleased material. 2002 United Kingdom
catalog no: CD-12 532
Part of a series of public domain CD releases from Promo Sound, formerly listed here is being in Italy but their business headquarters are in Ireland. 1996 Ireland
catalog no: 796 642-1
Contains Voice of the Xtabay and half of Mambo!, volume one of two 1991 France
catalog no: INTROCD2086
Another compilation of early '50s material by Yma Sumac. 2006 United Kingdom
catalog no: CD 367
Part of a series of public domain CD releases from Promo Sound, formerly listed here is being in Italy but their business headquarters are in Ireland. 1997 Ireland
A bit misleading, this collection does not contain Tangos but instead is a blend of mostly Cuban persormers, such as the late and great Celia Cruz, with two Yma Sumac songs. 2001 United States
catalog no: CD 31507
Another compilation featuring selections from Yma Sumac's first four Capitol Records albums. This release is part of the Entertainers of the World series. Although the country origin is not stated anywhere on the packaging inside or out, the publisher is located in Ireland. This release does not hav . . . 2009 Ireland
catalog no: TOCP 50 037
CD compilation from Japan features a nice cross section of Yma Sumac's '50s material. Now out of print, it still shows up once in a while. 1996 Japan
catalog no: EMI-RE-020 428
Contains early 1943 Argentina Session material, along with later Capitol Records tracks 1996 Perú
This CD compilation is one of the few known pressings from Greece in any format. 1997 Greece
catalog no: 23351
76 Hits and Rarities from the goddess of Exotica. More details and track for this September 2012 collection coming soon. 2012 United Kingdom
Although this double CD has the tracks in a different order, it is basically the CD version of the LP, The Very Best of Yma Sumac, and is one of the few known pressings from Greece. 2003 Greece
catalog no: GSS 5482
This 3-CD set advertised as being from Holland but package and disk printing indicate it was made in Portugal. Released in March 2008 and contains 47 tracks, this boxed set contains three standard jewel cases all with the same cover art and no booklet or notes. The box cover is shown. 2008 Portugal
catalog no: 118734
Anthologie 1950-1959
Compact Disc set of Yma Sumac's containing all of Yma Sumac's 1950's Capitol Records original release catalog. Probably a bootleg as no EMI/Capital Records licensing information could be found. These tracks are included on legitimate releases of all the original albums. 2013 France
catalog no: BLUE102CD
Double CD collection features remastered tracks from the 1943 Argentina Session along with those from the Capitol Records years. 2005 United Kingdom
Yet another compilation CD with the title of Queen of Exotica making three with that title. This one, which is a 2-CD set, combines four of Yma Sumac's '50s albums. 2005 United Kingdom
catalog no: 0777 7 99701 2 4
Two-CD reissue of Voice of the Xtabay (original eight tracks only), Mambo and Legend of the Jivaro, in one jewel case. Manufactured in Holland for EMI Germany. 1992 Germany
catalog no: B00006IWIC
Two CD set containing the entire Mambo! and Ultimate Yma Sumac Collection CDs, probably as individual CDs in a slipsleeve. 2002 France
catalog no: 4 M-11 892
This is the first, and as far as we know, the only cassette reissue of Yma Sumac's fourth album. She toured and performed in several U.S. cities as part of the promotion, inclusing The Ballroom in New York and Theatre on the Square in San Francisco. Abridged, this cassette release is missing Cha . . . 1987 United States
catalog no: FE 020537
Contains early 1943 Argentina Session material, along with later Capitol Records tracks 1996 Perú
In this collection of comic and serious vignettes, Elia Suleiman, an Israeli-born Palestinian in his 30's, plays himself as a filmmaker who returns to Jerusalem and Nazareth from NYC and takes a humorous look at the Palestinian middle class, who he feels have lost their identity. Somehow one o . . . 1996 Israel
Set against the cutthroat world of children's television, story of Rainbow Randolph (Robin Williams), the corrupt, costumed star of a popular children's TV show, who is fired over a bribery scandal and replaced by squeaky-clean Smoochy (Edward Norton), a puffy purple rhinoceros. Somehow Yma Sumac is . . . 2002 United States