From Mambo to Hip Hop

New York City's South Bronx has long been a remarkably fertile source of music—as this entertaining (if not particularly in-depth) documentary reminds us—especially in the infectious sounds arising from the commingling of Latino (including Puerto Ricans who settled in the Bronx following WWII, as well as Cubans arriving a decade or so later) and African-American cultures. From Mambo to Hip Hop takes an affectionate look back at an incredibly thriving music scene built around dance club life: salsa, described by one musician as “Cuban music with a freakin' New York attitude,” and the mambo (another Cuban style that was quickly “New Yorkerized”) were preeminent, with performers like singer-bandleader Machito, pianist Eddie Palmieri, percussionist Ray Barretto, and singer Celia Cruz becoming legends. African-Americans made their musical mark as well, many newly arrived from the South in search of good jobs and cheap housing. When economic decline laid waste to the South Bronx in the ‘70s, they began to forge the culture of hip-hop, gathering in abandoned, burned-out buildings (the most prominent hip hop artiste featured here is Afrika Bambaataa, who helped bring the local community together in an era of intense gang warfare). Interweaving archival footage, performance clips, and interviews, From Mambo to Hip Hop features DVD extras including bonus interviews. A strong optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (S. Graham)