Apuntalo [LP]

Orchestra Mambo International is a UK-based mambo, salsa, and Afro-Cuban jazz orchestra founded in 2022 by DJ Lubi and trombonist, bandleader, and composer Jonny Enright (Grupo X). Since launching, the 13-piece band has performed widely across the UK, including Glastonbury Festival, and built international radio support through five singles released since May 2024. Inspired by Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, and the Fania All-Stars, the orchestra brings a fresh UK energy to classic New York and Cuban traditions. It's cross-generational, international line-up spans musicians from Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba, Brazil, Spain, and the UK, with every decade from twenties through seventies represented in the band, from younger players such as trumpeter Olivia Cuttill to veteran Venezuelan vocalist Carlos 'Pachanga' Pena.¡Apuntalo! Is the debut album from Orchestra Mambo International and features eight original compositions by Jonny Enright, with additional writing from Carlos 'Pachanga' Pena and timbalero Jimmy Le Messurier. A key guest appearance comes from acclaimed flautist and saxophonist Chip Wickham (Gondwana Records) on 'Flauta Pa' Ti', with further guest contributions from Cuban singer Claritzel Miyares and Cuban-born, New York-based violinist Yrving Yeras on 'Rumba, Ron y Rico Son'. Moving through mambo, salsa dura, pachanga, Cuban son montuno, Puerto Rican bomba and Latin jazz, the album combines classic Afro-Caribbean dancefloor spirit with original songwriting, rich arrangements and big-band energy. Positioned for jazz, global, Latin and dance audiences, it is a vibrant, joyous and highly playable debut with clear appeal for specialist record shops, vinyl buyers, DJs and distributors. '100% top-quality Latin recording from Orchestra Mambo International. Love the vocal arrangement on that one.' Gilles Peterson - BBC 6 Music