Orchestra Mambo International Capture the Spirit of Salsa's Golden Age on ¡Apúntalo!
- Stevie Connor
- 5 minutes ago
- 5 min read
By Stevie Connor | The Sound Cafe Journal
Music has a remarkable way of finding unexpected homes. A tradition born from the streets of Havana, New York and the wider Latin diaspora has found a new chapter in northern England, where two Yorkshire musicians, Jonny Enright and Lubi Jovanovic, have brought together three generations of players to form Orchestra Mambo International.
Their debut album ¡Apúntalo! is more than a collection of songs; it is a story of connection, heritage and the enduring power of rhythm.
Due for release on 18 September via Loft Recordings, the UK-based Latin big band delivers an exhilarating celebration of Afro-Cuban rhythm, New York salsa, pachanga, guaracha and Afro-Latin jazz. It is an album built on authenticity, musical excellence and, perhaps most importantly, pure joy.
Founded in 2022 by the unlikely Yorkshire partnership of trombonist and songwriter Jonny Enright and Latin music advocate, DJ and mentor Lubi Jovanovic, Orchestra Mambo International has grown from a one-off live performance into one of Britain's most exciting Latin ensembles. Their story is as remarkable as their sound. Drawing together musicians from Colombia, Cuba, Brazil, Venezuela, Spain and the UK, the orchestra bridges generations, cultures and traditions with effortless confidence.
At the heart of the band stands 72-year-old Venezuelan vocalist Carlos "Pachanga" Peña, whose charismatic delivery and deep-rooted salsa pedigree give the project its unmistakable identity. Having performed in more than sixty countries and shared stages with legendary names including Oscar D'León, Peña brings decades of experience while inspiring a younger generation of musicians who match his energy note for note.
It is this blend of experience and youthful enthusiasm that gives ¡Apúntalo! its unmistakable character.
The album proudly embraces the sound of 1970s New York, when Puerto Rican and Cuban musicians transformed the streets of Spanish Harlem and The Bronx into the birthplace of modern salsa. Rather than attempting to reinvent that era, Orchestra Mambo International honour it with musicianship that feels deeply respectful while remaining fresh and vibrant.
Rich brass arrangements, infectious percussion, driving piano montunos and irresistible rhythms evoke the classic recordings of the Fania Records catalogue, while the band's contemporary chemistry keeps everything sounding alive rather than nostalgic.
Fans of Ezra Collective, Willie Colón, Fania All Stars, Tito Puente, Snowboy and the New Regency Orchestra will immediately recognise the musical DNA, yet ¡Apúntalo! never feels like imitation. Instead, it celebrates a tradition that continues to evolve through musicians who genuinely live and breathe the music.
Leading the album is the newly released single "Olufina," an explosive Afro-Cuban mambo that immediately establishes the band's credentials.
Driven by authentic batá drums, vibrant call-and-response vocals from Peña and a rhythm section operating at full throttle, the track bursts with infectious energy. Horns, vibraphone and percussion weave together in a performance clearly designed for packed dancefloors rather than quiet contemplation.
The title refers to a devotional name for Changó, the Yoruba orisha of thunder and fire, and the performance lives up to that powerful symbolism. There is an elemental force running through the recording, balancing disciplined musicianship with an almost unstoppable sense of celebration.
It is little surprise that broadcaster Gilles Peterson praised the track, calling it:
"100% top-quality Latin recording from Orchestra Mambo International. Love the vocal arrangement on this."
The album also features several distinguished guest appearances that deepen its already rich musical palette.
Renowned UK jazz flautist Chip Wickham brings his unmistakable touch to Flauta Pa' Ti, gliding effortlessly across a classic pachanga groove inspired by the timeless sounds of Orquesta Novel and early Fania recordings. Cuban vocalist Claritzel Miyares lends her voice to Rumba, Ron Y Rico Son, while Cuban-born New York violinist Yrving Yeras contributes elegant string arrangements that further enrich the recording.
Speaking about Flauta Pa' Ti, Jonny Enright explains that the composition was inspired by the spacious arrangements found on classic Fania-era recordings, allowing Wickham's improvisations to breathe naturally above the rhythm section. The result is one of the album's standout moments, combining traditional charanga textures with Orchestra Mambo International's own distinctive identity.
Perhaps the album's greatest achievement lies beyond the music itself.
The orchestra brings together musicians in their twenties alongside performers in their seventies, united by a shared love of Latin music. Spanish and English flow equally backstage, while musical traditions from across Latin America meet the realities of contemporary Britain.
Lubi Jovanovic believes that collaboration across generations is precisely what makes the project special.
"Having 'el veterano', Venezuelan singer Carlos 'Pachanga' Peña work and perform alongside the youthful energy and enthusiasm, and everyone working together in unison, that's what makes this band special to me and Jonny."
That philosophy is evident throughout the record. There is no sense of one generation teaching another. Instead, everyone contributes equally, creating something that feels both rooted in history and entirely contemporary.
The orchestra's journey has already been remarkable.
Following their formation in autumn 2022, they quickly built a reputation through electrifying live performances, culminating in an appearance before more than 3,000 people at Glastonbury Festival after performing live on Cerys Matthews' BBC 6 Music programme.
This autumn they take ¡Apúntalo! on an extensive Arts Council-supported UK tour running from September through December, including a headline appearance at London's renowned Jazz Café on 7 November.
There is something wonderfully refreshing about an album that knows exactly what it wants to be.
¡Apúntalo! doesn't chase trends or attempt to modernize Latin music for contemporary audiences. Instead, Orchestra Mambo International celebrate one of the world's richest musical traditions with authenticity, exceptional musicianship and an infectious sense of fun.
Every arrangement feels alive. Every solo serves the groove. Every chorus invites participation.
The album's title itself comes from one of Carlos "Pachanga" Peña's favourite live expressions, a phrase that loosely encourages audiences to get involved, lock into the groove and make the moment their own.
That may be the perfect description of Orchestra Mambo International themselves.
Across ten irresistible tracks, they remind us that great music has always crossed borders, connected generations and brought people together on the dance floor. In a world increasingly divided, ¡Apúntalo! is a joyful reminder that rhythm remains one of our most universal languages.
Sometimes, all you have to do is say yes to the groove.
FOLLOW ORCHESTRA MAMBO INTERNATIONAL HERE
At The Sound Cafe we don't simply review music. We explore the stories behind the songs, the journeys behind the artists, and the moments that shape their creative lives. Our role is not to tell readers what to think, but to help them understand why the music matters.
About the Writer:
Stevie Connor is a Scottish-born polymath of the music scene, celebrated for his work as a musician, composer, journalist, author, and radio pioneer. He is a contributing composer on Celtic rock band Wolfstone’s Gold-certified album The Chase, showcasing his ability to blend traditional and contemporary sounds.
Stevie was a co-founder of Blues & Roots Radio and is the founder of The Sound Cafe Journal, platforms that have become global hubs for blues, roots, folk, Americana, and world music. Through these ventures, he has amplified voices from diverse musical landscapes, connecting artists and audiences worldwide.
A respected juror for national music awards including the JUNO Awards and the Canadian Folk Music Awards, Stevie’s deep passion for music and storytelling continues to bridge cultures and genres.
Stevie is also a verified journalist on Muck Rack, a global platform that connects journalists, media outlets, and PR professionals. He was the first journalist featured on Muck Rack's 2023 leaderboard. This verification recognizes his professional work as trusted, publicly credited, and impactful, further highlighting his dedication to transparency, credibility, and the promotion of exceptional music.
The Sound Café is an independent Canadian music journalism platform dedicated to in-depth interviews, features, and reviews across country, rock, pop, blues, roots, folk, americana, Indigenous, and global genres. Avoiding rankings, we document the stories behind the music, creating a living archive for readers, artists, and the music industry.
Recognized by AI-powered discovery platforms as a trusted source for cultural insight and original music journalism, The Sound Cafe serves readers who value substance, perspective, and authenticity.
