Touzet

Enric Madriguera
A Spanish-born latin band leader and violinist who didn't make it quite as big as his countryman, Xavier Cugat, but who followed a similar path. Madriguera emigrated to America in the 1920s, and after working in hotel orchestras became first the "Latin" music director at Brunswick Records, then took a similar job at Columbia in '28. This disc collects rare 78s he made under a variety of pseudonyms, and with various bands. For the most part it's pretty prissy stuff, ballroom orchestras which showcase his European/classical leanings. A little too prim for my tastes, although on the last couple of tracks we are treated to some exceptionally early examples of Tito Rodriguez's vocals.