¡Mambo!

This singer and composer shaped the distinctive sound of orchestras such as those of Eddie Palmieri and Willie Colón. Mon Rivera, the son of a Puerto Rican composer, became known as the leading performer of the trabalenguas, a vocal style in which the singer’s tongue is pushed to its limits.

He began in New York City with his own orchestra. Mon Rivera was a multi-instrumentalist, his orchestra was the first to feature a front-line trombone section.

The musician died in 1978 at the age of just 53. As a tribute, Johnny Pacheco released an album honouring Mon Rivera, a tribute to the originality of the trambanga — a blend of rhythm and trombones that became popular among latino musicians.

Playlist

1. Mon Rivera Martinez Nadal
   Mon Rivera, vocals / Orquesta Moncho Leña

2. Mon Rivera Paquete No Mas
   Mon Rivera, vocals / Orquesta Moncho Leña

3. Mon Rivera Huyele Al Guardia
   Mon Rivera, vocals / Orquesta Moncho Leña

4. Mon Rivera Kij Is Konar
   Mon Rivera, vocals / su Orquesta

5. Mon Rivera A Mi Plin
   Mon Rivera, vocals / su Orquesta

6. Mon Rivera Alo Mañano
   Mon Rivera, vocals / su Orquesta

7. Mon Rivera Fricase
   Mon Rivera, vocals / su Orquesta

8. Mon Rivera Un Boogaloo
   Mon Rivera, vocals / su Orquesta

9. Mon Rivera Karacatis Ki
   Mon Rivera, vocals / su Orquesta

10. Mon Rivera Son de Pachanga
    Mon Rivera, vocals / su Orquesta

11. Mon Rivera Llunia Con Nieve
    Mon Rivera, vocals / Eddie Palmieri, piano

12. Mon Rivera Pena de Amor
    Mon Rivera, vocals / Willie Colón, trombone

13. Mon Rivera Ya Llego
    Mon Rivera, vocals / Willie Colón, trombone

14. Mon Rivera Las Nemas del Barrio
    Mon Rivera, vocals

15. Mon Rivera La Punda
    Mon Rivera, vocals

16. Mon Rivera Carnaval en Margarita
    Mon Rivera, vocals

17. Mon Rivera Vuelvo a Vivir
    Mon Rivera, vocals