Dance Mania

Dance Mania is probably Puente's best-known album, appearing as it does in several reissue forms and having inspired subsequent More Dance Mania and Dance Mania '80s titles. Part of the reason is that it's his first major album of dance music, in stereo, on RCA. As with most of the rest of his work for the label, it more than lives up to expectations. Seven of its 12 tracks are Puente's own, and, of the rest, two are from legendary conga star Francisco Aguabella. There isn't a weak track in the bunch, and most feature singing and instrumental solos. Dance Mania is a cohesive collection of mambo, guaguanco, guaracha, and son montuno, plus some equally lively cha cha cha and bolero tracks. Although similar credit should go to other of Puente's classic original albums, this one is essential.