It's A Bossa Nova World - Laurindo Almeida And The Bossa Nova All Stars

Sukiyaki

It's A Bossa Nova World
Laurindo Almeida And The Bossa Nova All Stars
Cover Photo: Capitol Photo Studio - Ken Veeder
Capitol Records ST 1946
1963

Personnel
Laurindo Almeida - gut and 12-string guitar
Howard Roberts - electric guitar
Shelly Manne, Vic Feldman and Chico Guerrero - percussion
Jimmie Rowles - electronic organ
Max Bennett - bass
Bob Copper - tenor sax
Don Fagerquist - trumpet
Justin Gordon - flute.

From Billboard - September 21, 1963: Two worthwhile points are made here. First, that a number of familiar and recent pop hits, adapt themselves very well to the bossa nova beat; secondly, when you put fine players like Laurindo Almeida, Vic Feldman, Shelly Manne, Bob Cooper, Don Fagerquist, among others, in this 10-man group, you get good music, Tunes include "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport," "Nava Nagila," "Sukiyaki," "Danke Schoen," etc. Spinnable and listenable.

Tell Me Kangaroo Down Sport
I Will Follow Him (Chariot)
Sukiyaki
Say Wonderful Things
Misirlou
Song Of The Island
Danke Schön
Till Them Lisbon Antigua
More
Rio Bonito (Beautiful Rio)
Hava Nagila

Footlight Percussion - Terry Snyder

The Gentlemen Is A Dope

Footlight Percussion
Terry Snyder

Hit Selections Of The Great White Way With A Bongo Beat

Produced by Don Costa

Cover Photograph by Maurice Seymour

Recorded at Fine Sound - New York City
United Artists Ultra Audio WWS 6508
1961

Terry Snyder - Leader and Drummer

Sol Gubin - Drummer

Ted Sommer - Drums

Frank Carroll - Bass

Edwin J. Costa - Percussion

Arthur Marotti - Percussion

William V. Rodriguez - Percussion

Anthony Mottola - Guitar

Harold E. Weed - Piano

Stanley G. Webb - Sax

Phil Bodner - Sax

James K. Maxwell - Trumpet

Urban C. Green - Trombone

Richard Hixson - Trombone

From the inside cover: This is the second album by Terry Snyder for Ultra Sound, and once again the quiet, shy young man has come forth with musical excitement almost revolutionary in its composition and performance. Snyder has devoted his entire adult life to music, having been a top-flight drummer with some of the biggest bands in the country and has appeared on many of the big television shows seen from coast to coast. His initial ventures into the Big Sound on records made history, both in the reproduction of percussive Sound, and in sales which broke all records in this particular area.

In this outing Terry takes on the Great White Way, and some of the finest music ever composed for the Broadway stage. You will find such legendary names as Rodgers and Hammerstein, Frank Loesser, George M. Cohan and Cole Porter represented, an you will be both amazed and entertained by this tremendous performances of their music. This is moving Sound, high fidelity, and the apex in recording as presented by a true master in the field.

Everything's Coming Up Roses

'Til There Was You

Make Someone Happy

The Gentleman Is A Dope

Anything Goes

Lullaby On Broadway

If I Were A Bell

Guys And Dolls

The Sound Of Music

I Could Have Danced All Night

Bali Hai

Give My Regards To Broadway

Go Places With Lassie

Song Of India

Go Places With Lassie
Music To Put You In A Traveling Mood
Capitol Records Custom Services A-100
A Walt Heebner Production
1957

Lassie is not a dog or the woman on the back of the little steam engine. Lassie was a manufacture of ladies coats. Go Places With Lassie was an advertising campaign that appeared in (from the back cover) Vogue, Glamour, Charm, Mademoiselle, Seventeen and other fashion magazines – as seen through the camera eye of America's foremost fashion photographer, Richard Avedon.

This album was a part of the promotion for Lassie. The records were sold to the public for $1.75.

Afro-Desia -The Exotic Sounds Of Martin Denny

Afro-Desia
The Exotic Sounds Of Martin Denny
Liberty LRP 3111
1959

Hot Damn! I finally stumbled across this mono copy of Denny's Afro-Desia today at the thrift. Of course this one is on CD and available by purchase/download so I will not be posting a sample. And the album has been reviewed to death... but I had to say... we up here in The Atomic Attic LOVE this album.

Put on your jungle boots and go dancing with the Tiki Goddess! Good times!

For The First Time - The Swingin' Six

Bad News

For The First Time
The Swingin' Six
Decca DL 4840
1967

Whoa... this record turned out to be a fun find. Why is blonde girl in the center of the photo look bored? I had to find out.

This is sort of a folk, light pop, bubble gum, easy listening, sort of a Jefferson Airplane thing...  sound.

The results are whacky and unbelievable and I love it! There are many treasures on the vinyl... it was hard to pick a sample.

The Swingin' Six also made a promotional film for the U.S. Postal System.

Martin Denny!

Under Paris Skies

Martin Denny!
Producer: Joe Saraceno
Arranger: Bob Florence
Engineer: "Lanky" Linstrot
Art Direction: Woody Woodward
Cover Photo: Ken Kim
Liberty LST-7438
1966

Lisbon Antiqua
Stranger In Paradise
Under Paris Skies (Sous Le Ciel De Paris)
Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing
The Song From Moulin Rouge (Where Is Your Heart)
Moonglow
Ruby
The "In" Crowd
April In Portugal
Autumn Leaves
The Poor People Of Paris (Jean's Song)
A Taste Of Honey

Temptation - Roger Williams

Temptation

Temptation
Roger Williams
KAPP Records KL-1217
1960

I was tempted by the cover... so I bought the record.

A few tracks have a nice 60s light pop vibe to them.

Aloha Hawaii - The Blue Ribbon Orchestra

Dark Dawn

Aloha Hawaii
The Blue Ribbon Orchestra
Blue Ribbon (Premier) BRM-7019

This record promised to be total 60s easy listening strings.

The record turns out to be an interesting listen. There is no stellar exotic weirdness going on, but whoever did the arranging did a fine job. The music is subtle, a touch quirky and the strings aren't overwhelming. Lovely and mysterious chorus/vocal backing touches really help sell the tracks that they are featured on.

La Epoca De Oro De Tito Puente and His Orchestra

La Epoca De Oro De Tito Puente and His Orchestra
RCA FSP-217
1968

This is an obscure RCA "International" reissue of a recording made in Webster Hall, New York City, 1960. I failed to identify the original album (or if this is a compilation as Dance Mania is included).

The album was produced by Marty Gold. Many, if not all of the tracks are available on CD collections or by purchase/download. So I will not be posting a sample.

Great stuff!

Dick Kesner And His Magic Stradivarius

Schubert's Serenade

Dick Kesner And His Magic Stradivarius
Brunswick Records BL 54051
1960

The February 8, 1960 issues of Billboard recommended this album in the "Good Sales Potential" feature with the note that "Kenser's appearances on Lawrence Welk's TV show should help sales."

This is beautiful easy listening, but Kesner went on to make several surprisingly cool "exotica" albums including: The Music Of Hawaii and his fabulous Amore Latino.

Murray The K's Blast From The Past

Murray The K's Blast From The Past
Chess LP 1461
1962

Fun space age album cover featuring famous pitch man Murray Kaufmann. Kaufmann was an early and ardent supporter and friend of The Beatles.

This album is a compilation that includes 50s acts such as Chuck Berry and Ritchie Valens.

Super Soul Hits

Super Soul Hits
Deeds Electronic Co.
476A

The last time I posted a budget basement album of this caliber I said that the cover illustration was the worst thing that I had ever seen. Low and behold... some 30 years after the album was released someone connected with the project found my post and testily defended the cover. In their defense, they claimed that they had to pay usage fees for the rights to publish famous (original) songs. and, therefore... couldn't afford a decent cover illustration.

So, I will not say that this is an awful cover...

Another Taste Of Honey! - Martin Denny

Cool (From West Side Story) LRP-3277

Cool (From West Side Story) LST-7277

Another Taste Of Honey!

Martin Denny
Engineer: Al Schmitt
Cover Design: Studio Five
Liberty LRP-3277 & LST-7277
1963

Like Young
Blue Carousel
Bijou
Harlem Nocturne
Theme From The Manchurian Candidate
Somerset
Anniversary Song
Volare
Satin-Doll
Cool (From West Side Story)
Invitation
Jitterbug Waltz

Mele Kalikimaka Merry Christmas - Arthur Lyman

Mele Kalikimaka Merry Christmas
Arthur Lyman
HIFI Records Life Series
L1018
1966

Of course this Lyman album is available for digital purchase download so I will not be posting a sample. However, I thought it'd be fun to post the cover images.

I love Lyman but this isn't his best work. The group seems to struggle on some tracks as they try to find a way to convert traditional holiday tunes into their small combo sound. There are some tunes that do work well in the Lyman style. The tracks We Three Kings and Winter Wonderland rock. And Christmas Song is just a nice quite piece featuring groovy vibe work.

Gold Finger - The Great Strings

Goldfinger (DLP-195)

The Great Strings Play

Dear Heart & Gold Finger
Design Records DLP-195 & SDLP-195

Pickwick International, Inc.
1962

Dear Heart

Emperor Waltz

Fascination

Merry Widow Waltz

Ciribiribiin

Gold Finger

Estrellita

Habanera

Adios Muchachos

Nocture

Funky Trumpet On Broadway - Ray Davies With Orchestra And Voices

Funky Trumpet On Broadway
Ray Davies With Orchestra And Voices
Fontana SRF-87574
1968

I'm batting three for three tonight on albums that I can't post a sample from. This one is also available online for purchase/download.

So, once again you'll have to take my word for it. Yes, this is a funky trumpet. From the funky cheesecake cake cover featuring a set real 60s boobies to jazzy easy listening overlaid with great 60s vocal chorus. I think the music probably sounds "funkier" now than when it was released.

James Bond Double Feature - Billy Strange

James Bond Double Feature
Billy Strange His Guitar And Orchestra
GNP Crescendo Records GNP 2039
1967

Even though this album isn't available online (at this time) GNP is still pressing records (as far as I can tell) and likely controls the rights so I will not posting a sample. Maybe they would consider re-releasing this album in the future.

Although the cover suggests otherwise, there are only a few "James Bond" tunes on the album. False advertising aside, the record is loaded with great 60s flavored arrangements and Strange's rocking guitar.

I love the hot model on the cover holding a bolt action shotgun. What a strange prop that no real fake spy would be caught dead with.

Pertinent Percussion Cha Cha's - Enoch Light And The Light Brigade

Volare Cha Cha

Pertinent Percussion Cha Cha's
Enoch Light And The Light Brigade
Produced and Directed by Enoch Light
Associate Producer: Julie Klages
Recording Chief: Robert Fine
Mastering: George Piros
Art Director: Charles E. Murphy
Cover Art: Gerry Olin
Command Records RS 813 SD
1960 Grand Award Record Co. Inc.

Enoch Light and The Light Brigade:
Bobby Byrne
Charles Magnante
Bob Haggart
Tony Mottola
Willie Rodriguez
Moe Wechsler
Russ Banzer
Stanley Webb
Pee Wee Erwin
Artie Marotti
Dominic Cortese
Ezelle Watson
Milt Yaner
Bernie Kaufman

From Billboard - August 15, 1960: Here is another album from Enoch Light's Command label, and one that could be the biggest seller yet. It features the Light Brigade playing cha chas in stylish, gutty, swinging fashion. The sound is superb and the arrangements are bright and attractive. Smart cover and extensive liner notes make this album a must for stereophiles and hi-fi bugs.

Enjoy Yourself Cha Cha
I Could Have Danced All Night Cha Cha
Moon Over Miami Cha Cha
C'est Magnifique Cha Cha
Ja Da Cha Cha
Night & Day Cha Cha
Green Eyes Cha Cha
Volare Cha Cha
Let's Fall In Love Cha Cha
Travel Now, Pay Next Year
The Night Is Young Cha Cha
Charleston Cha Cha

The Fabulous Sounds Of Les Baxter

Ritual Fire Dance

The Fabulous Sounds Of Les Baxter
Strings, Guitars, Voices
Pickwick PC-3011& SPC-3011
1962

Never On Sunday

Autumn Leaves

Vereda Tropical

Love Is A Many Splendored Thing

Sabre Dance

It's A Big Wide, Wonderful World

Piccolissima Serenata

Ritual Fire Dance

Tico Tico

Hahah Nagilah

Musical Moods Of The Maori

Aperira Te Marama (Massa's In The Cold, Cold Ground)

Musical Moods Of The Maori

Top Rank

This cover image appears in association with tracks by the same collection of artists online for purchase/download. But the track titles on that set are completely different than the titles that appear on this album.

The sample is from The Wai Patu Concert Party side.

Cocktails For Two

None But The Lonely Heart

Cocktails For Two
Waldorf Music Hall, Inc.
FDR King Size MHK 33-1236

Rod Gregory, Billy Rowland and Ashley Adams with Rhythm Accompaniment

Cocktails For Two
Somebody Loves Me
Lover Come Back To Me
These Foolish Things
Don't Blame Me
The Nearness Of You
Lover
Copin's Nocturne In E Flat (Eddy Duchin's Theme Song)
Romance
None But The Lonely Heart
If I Had You
I Concentrate On You

Something Super! - King Richard's Fluegel Knights

Bye Bye Blues

Something Super!
King Richard's Fluegel Knights
MTA Records MTS 5005
1967

Here's a somewhat obscure artist (as King Richard).

Apparently King Richard is Dick Behrke as credited on the back cover as Musical Director. Behrke played in Bobby Darin's first band in the early 50s. He later became a conductor/arranger for Darin. He continued writing music for commercials and movies, including Beyond The Sea (2004), a "swooning study of "Mack The Knife" singer Bobby Darin (Kevin Spacey)."

This is an outstanding bright and groovy space age brass album.

Who's Afraid Of The Big Bad Wolf
Horn Duey
Georgy Girl
Come On Over
There's A Kind Of Hush
Lay Some Happiness On Me
Goin' Outta My Head
Some Day My Prince Will Come
Yes Sir That By Baby
Don't Sleep In The Subway
Bye, Bye Blues

A Zillion Strings And Dick Hyman At The Piano

A Zillion Strings And Dick Hyman At The Piano
Everest SDBR-1074
1960

This one is available on CD so I will not be posting a sample.

This album features a fun title and spicy cover photo. The music is heavy on late 50s brand of easy listening and is blended with Hyman's jazzy piano playing. The result is not as "hot" as the cover model... but still easy on the ears.

Jazz Is Now - Johnny Frigo Sextext

Big Noise From Winnetka

Gazebo

Jazz Is Now
Johnny Frigo Sextext
Orion Hi Fidelity Records

Here we have an obscure album with interesting cover art.

I can't tell you if this album is associated with the Johnny Frigo I found online (Frigo's wiki page). I suspect that it is. Orion was based in Evanston, Illinois which is not too far from Chicago, which would have been Frigo's home when this album was made (I can't positively date the release). If it is, Frigo played bass on this recording. His other instrument was the violin.

The wiki page mentions that Frigo played on Martin Denny's Quite Village album. I've got a copy of that album here and he is credited for playing bass. If you listen to the sample Gazebo... you can hear the bass line used on Quite Village.