Parisian Mambo - Cecilya and the Candy Kings
- johnaalex
- 21 hours ago
- 3 min read
Parisian Mambo
Cecilya and the Candy Kings
Released: May 2025
Record Label: SPPF Rock’n’Hall
Reviewed by Andy Brodie 11 April 2025
Originally from Barcelona Cecilya Mestres has been living in Paris since 2019 where, with the help of her guitarist and co-composer Rodolphe Dumont, she produced her first solo album entitled "Cherry Blossom" (InOuïe Distribution, 2021) and her second album with the group Cecilya & the Candy Kings "Back in 1955 “(Meseta Records, 2023).
Members of the Band
Vocals Cecilya Mestres Electric Guitar Rodolphe Dumont Tenor & Baritone Sax Gordon Beadle Piano Olivier Cantrelle Upright Bass Addell B.Bop Bouyousfi Drums Denis Agenet
Track by track Review
Wild piña colada. I can see that this latin tinged instrumental might well open the live show as the band start it up anticipating the arrival of Cecilya at the microphone. Rodolphe Dumont’s guitar confidently dominates showing his blues influences and the pace increases as he hands the baton to Sax Gordon who does what Sax Gordon does! An excellent opener
Blue door house boogie. And now we are off! The band swings into gear, Out of phase guitar brings T Bone Walker to mind and then Cecilya lets us know she’s arrived ‘Welcome to the Blue door house’. This is quality stuff, then horn arrangements channel the great Louis Prima and the sax solo is pitch perfect.
Parisian mambo. So to the title track. At first we are off to Cuba with an intro that evokes Havana in the 1940’s. Then, held together by Cecilya’s effortless voice, sections of latin groove and moments of relaxed swing interweave to make a great track that will keep the dancers on their feet!
One way ticket to paradise. And another dance floor filler ladies and gents! We are on Rock’n’Roll street now and everybody is having fun. C’est parti!
Ruby. So Cecilya and the boys are slowing things down with a triplet feel smoocher that has added twang appeal as Rodolphe gets a bit Twin Peaks on the baritone guitar. Cecilya is in her element here and the subtle harmonies on the vocals are a very nice touch. You know that live, on a blue lit stage there won’t be a dry eye in the house. Incidentally, if you bought this on vinyl, this track would be the end of side A.
Travelin woman. And now we are swinging again! Ya gotta think that this is probably ,at least partly autobigraphical, Cecilya is a ‘travelin woman free from all fear’ and she sings it like she means it. The band put in another straight ahead driving performance. Addell B.Bop Bouyousfi walking like a boss on the upright and great solos from Rodolphe and Sax Gordon.
By the sea. The guitar intro tells us that we are in jump blues territory and the band is running like a well oiled Citroen. Cecilya relaxes into the groove and there are some fine sax arrangements in the solo section.
Champagne. This upbeat number features some sharp call and response vocals from Cecily and the boys, a lot of the power here comes from Denis Agenet’s tastefully reverberated heavy snare downbeat, That retro feel is alive and well in the hands of The Candy Kings
All the things I don’t need. This up beat swing number will sort out the beginners from the old hands on the dance floor, the bpm is high and it barrels along at a great pace. Whilst it may be an ode to all the things we don’t need, we DO need a cracking piano solo in the middle and Olivier Cantrelle delivers one with aplomb!
Flamingo. This is a carefully crafted medium paced swinger and Cecilya lays it down. Its nice to hear Rodolphe Dumont stretch out with slightly more jazzy feel and Sax Gordon’s solo is lyrical and relaxed. Damn, everyones cruisin’ and feelin’ just fine.
Crazy guitar. The final track on the album is a guitar instrumental composed and played by Dumont. It’s a West Coast blues barn burner and a fun away to finish!
Summary
Cecilya and Rodolphe clearly have a great time writing together. They have assembled a team of top notch musicians to create this album and everybody plays their part. Cecilya and The Candy Kings describe their live show as an explosive retro cocktail with a contemporary sound and I would say that description is pretty much on point. You get a great feel for that through this album which is available on CD and Vinyl.
Travel back in time with Cecilya & the Candy Kings and don't forget your dancing shoes!
Track List
Wild piña colada.
Blue door house boogie.
Parisian mambo.
One way ticket to paradise.
Ruby.
Travelin woman.
By the sea.
Champagne.
All the things I don’t need.
Flamingo.
Crazy guitar.
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