Orchestra Mambo International - ¡Apúntalo!

Orchestra Mambo International - ¡Apúntalo! is the debut album from the UK-based mambo, salsa and Afro-Cuban jazz orchestra founded in 2022 by DJ Lubi and trombonist, bandleader and composer Jonny Enright. The 13-piece group has performed widely across the UK, including Glastonbury Festival, drawing inspiration from Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri and the Fania All-Stars.

The album features eight original compositions by Enright, with additional writing from veteran Venezuelan vocalist Carlos “Pachanga” Peña and timbalero Jimmy Le Messurier. It moves through mambo, salsa dura, pachanga, Cuban son montuno, Puerto Rican bomba and Latin jazz, combining Afro-Caribbean dancefloor momentum with expansive arrangements.

The international, cross-generational line-up includes musicians with roots in Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba, Brazil, Spain and the UK. Gondwana Records flautist and saxophonist Chip Wickham guests on Flauta Pa' Ti, while Claritzel Miyares and violinist Yrving Yeras contribute to Rumba, Ron y Rico Son.

The title comes from Peña's on-stage catchphrase “apúntalo”, meaning “write it down”. The result is a lively meeting point between classic salsa and Latin-jazz vocabulary and the current UK jazz scene.