Howdy Folks! Check out my Atomic Age Vinyl Finds! If there are copyright issues or a problem with any post, just contact me and I will make corrections. I'm here to have fun and hope you will share in my process of discovery!
Hawaii Guitars And Ukueles
Malekowa And The Trade Winds
Artist and Repertorie: Joe Cain
Original Recording Engineer: Frank Abbey
Mastering: Hal Diepold
Liner Notes: John Gottlieb
Production Coordinator: Harry Ringler
Album Coordinator: Elena Festa
Cover Art and Design: Jack Longshein
Typography: The Composing Room, Inc.
Printing and Fabrication: Globe Albums, Inc.
Time Records
Series 2000
S/2193
Mixed bag of period light pop-flavored "island" tunes featuring a few swinging tracks as sampled above.
Kokohi
Blue Hawaii
Hawaiian Queen
The Moon Of Manakoora
A Little Rendezvous In Honolulu
Pua O Hawaii
Mahina Malamalama
Pagan Love Song
Flowers Of Love
Standing At The Habor
Molokai, Molokai
Hula Medley - Nani Wale Ka Mahina Meleana E, Meleana Hoi Wahine U'i
Belmonte Plays Latin For Americans
Belmonte And His Orchestra
Cover photo by Dave Hecht
Dress courtesy David Morris Co.
RCA Victor LPM-1571
1958
From the back cover: A thirty-three-year-old native of New York, Belmont is making his recording debut on RCA Victor label. The talented composer-arranger-conductor has assembled five saxophones, four trumpets, three drums, a guitar, bass, piano and marimba to help him turn out this thoroughly delightful album of mood music.
Light, bright big band dancable Latin mood set.
Moonlight Love - Speak My Love
Goodbye To Rome
Nice To Know You Care
Body And Soul - Felicia's Bolero
Por Favor (Please) - Danero
I Can't Get Started
A Kiss And A Rose - Espinita
Melody In Cha-Cha
Fire Down Below
Music With A Calypso Beat
Mercury MG 20287
1957
Lively compilation set featuring "island-spiced" tunes not to mention the fiery Rita Hayworth on the cover.
From Billboard - July 22, 1957: Miscellaneous selections from the Mercury catalogue are gathered as "music with a calypso beat" (not to be confused with sound-track album from film with same title). Contents are too ill-sorted to make for strong seller.
The Banana Boat Song - Sarah Vaughan
Let's Go Calypso - Rusty Draper
Somebody Bad Stole De Wedding Bell - Georgia Gibbs
Limbo - The Diamonds
Li'l Steel Band - David Carroll
Run Joe - Louis Jordan
My Head's In De Barrel - Chuck Miller
No One Sweeter Than You - Nick Nobel
Matilda, Matilda - Richard Hayes
Ay-Round The Corner - Xavier Cugat
Open The Letter - The Gaylords
Fire Down Below - Lola Dee
Big Band Sounds
Earle Spencer And Other Great Bands
Golden Tone C 4059
Earle Spencer is credited for only 3 tracks on the disc label while The James Carroll Orchestra receives credited at the bottom of the label for the remaining tracks.
Spenceria
Auld Lang Syne
Patricia
Bewitched
Skokiaan
Gangbusters
Blues Serenade
Blue Tango
Lisbon Antiqua
Bolero In Boogie
Ramsey Lewis And His Gentle-Men Of Swing
Designed by Le Roy Winbush
Photography front cover by Lacey Crawford Winbush
Photography back cover by Liz Mount
Argo LP 611
1957
From Billboard - April 29, 1957: As a jazz pianist, classically trained Ramsey Lewis plays much in the economical introspective style of another Lewis – John. His trio is the chamber-soft tradition of the other Lewis' group, the MJQ. It's a deft, unified musical unit, but the "blowing" is limited. However, this LP is recommended for the sheer competence of the players, and its almost certain sales appeal to buyers on the jazz-classical periphery – those attracted by thoughtful, if somewhat restrained, jazz packages.
From the back cover:
Drums: Isaac "Red" Holt (photo, left)
A fine drummer from Chicago's West Side who studied at the Chicago School Of Music. While working at Union Park Temple he completed rhythm section for jazz luminaries James Moody, Lester Young and the late Charlie Parker.
"Red" tries to show, in his playing, that the drum is not just an instrument to pound on or carry a rhythm, but that it can also be played melodically. That it can "speak to you in melody."
Bass: El Dee Young (photo, center)
A young bassist whose intricate work reveals his early guitar study.
He studied bass at the American Conservatory of Music.
El Dee is trying to exploit the full potentials of the bass – not simply confine it to the rhythm section. In this he follows the tradition of Percy Heath, Ray Brown and Oscar Pettiford.
Piano: Ramsey Lewis (photo, right)
A Chicagoan who has won awards for his piano artistry from the National Federation of Music Clubs and American Society of Musicians as well as scholarships to Roosevelt University and Chicago Musical College.
At first a classical pianist who, after hearing such moderns as Art Tatum, Bud Powell and John Lewis turned to modern jazz.
While Ramsey plays a superb solo piano, his aim – visibly apparent in this LP – is to present the trio as a unified musical unit.
Carmen
I'll Remember April
The Wind
Bie Mir Bist Du Schoen
My Funny Valentine
Fantasia For Drums
Dee's New Blues
Tres
Limelight
Jay & Kai + 6
The Jay And Kai Trombone Octet
J. J. Johnson and Kai Winding
Notes by George Avakian
Columbia CL 892
1956
Excellent jazz/swing concept effort by Johnson and Winding enhanced by top-notch engineering.
From Billboard - September 29, 1956: Using six orthodox trombones and two bass trombones (and rhythm section) Johnson and Winding get all the variety of sound necessary to make a satisfying ensemble. The material consists of familiar standards and three special items written by Jay or Gal. A compendium of trombone playing that is a natural extension of what Jay and Kai have been doing as a successful duo. The Johnson-Winding fans will gobble this up.
From the back cover: Jay and Kai, who are apparently fearless, have set themselves another difficult goal in this album, but the results literally speak for themselves. Their self-imposed challenge was to make an entire album with eight trombones (six-orthodox-type horns and two bass trombones) and their usual rhythm section of piano, bass, and drums. On some of these tunes, they themselves play tromboniums, which are upright valve instruments of similar range and nearly the same tone, developed to replace the more cumbersome slide trombones in marching bands. (Slide trombones have to be played up front so they can be played freely, which isn't the best set-up for tonal balance.) The photograph on this jacket give a better description that words can, and the sections of this album in which you can hear the tromboniums are charted. The arrangements for this eight-trombone idea were executed by Jay and Kai themselves. Just how they managed to do this – and do it so well is something I haven't figured out yet, and I'm sure neither Jay nor Kai are as yet in condition to explain coherently, either. Suffice to say that they made it despite some mighty close deadlines. Coffee – very strong and black – was one of the principle ingredients that made it possible. Getting the right men to play these difficult arrangements was a problem, too, but fortunately the sessions came at a time when six of the best trombonists in New York were available for all the sessions. They are Urbie Green, Bob Alexander, Eddie Bert, and Jimmy Cleveland, with bass trombonists Bart Varsalone and Tom Mitchell. Their rhythm section consists of Hank Jones (piano), Milt Hinton (bass), and Osie Johnson (drums), except on Night In Tunisia, All At Once You Love Her, The Peanut Vendor, Four Plus Four, and The Continental, in which Hinton was replaced by Ray Brown. Candido Camero is added on conga drums and bongos as noted in the analyses of the individual arrangements, given below.
Night In Tunisia
Piece For Two Tromboniums
Rise 'N' Shine
All At Once You Love Her
No Moon At All
The Surrey With The Fringe On Top
The Peanut Vendor
You're My Thrill
Jeanne
Four Plus Four
You Don't Know What Love Is
The Continental
Soul Strings & A Funky Horn
Produced by Sonny Lester
Solid State SS 18042
1968
Book-fold jacket design featuring virtually no information.
From Billboard - October 12, 1968: Such chart tunes as "What The World Needs Now," "Mrs. Robinson," "This Guy's In Love," fill this gently flowing, breezy LP by a group of talented musicians who are nameless. That horn is really worth shouting about, and the strings sing.
The Look Of Love
Do You Know The Way To San Jose?
Grazing In The Grass
Stoned Soul Picnic
What The World Needs Now Is Love
This Guy's In Love With You
Baby You Come Rollin' Across My Mind
Hang'em High
Think
Bring A Little Lovin'
Yester Love
Mrs. Robinson
The Sweet And The Swingin'
A Fresh Contrast Of Melodic Strings And Swinging Vocal Patterns
Paul Weston
Produced by John Palladino
Capitol Records ST 1361
1960
From Billboard - April 18, 1960: Maestro Weston takes a group of familiar tunes and scores them in relaxing fashion for the work. Then he superimposes a male vocal group in a set of interesting vocal counter melodies. The idea is similar to a style once used by the band of the late Tommy Dorsey on such items as "Marie" and "East Of The Sun." This is a refreshing way of handling the tunes which should find favor with some jocks.
The Thrill Is Gone
I Love You
Time On My Hands
I'll See Your In My Dreams
Lies
Dream
Blue Moon
Bye Bye Blues
Linger Awhile
Sometimes I'm Happy
Street Of Dreams
El Futbol
Si Supieras
Nunca Digas No
Cara O Cruz
De Mil Maneras
Para Que Seas Feliz
Atolito Con El Dedo
Todo Se Paga
Muneca De Paja
Mi Amor y Tu Amor
Mi Adios
El Agujerito
Orchestra Conducted By Gerard Blene Notes by Mike Gross Jubilee 1029 1957
Audio files are available from online vendors so I will not be posting a sample. I'm presenting it here to share the original dramatic cover design.
From the back cover: Although he's a musician and not a playwright, M. Blene knows how to build dramatic values. He does it with a baton instead of a typewriter. He does it by leading a regiment of close to forty-five musicians through a musical repertoire that's handled with an understanding of purpose. It's rich, tasteful, and above all, romantic... designed for the ear as well as the heart.
This set plays through as described above and more like a "mood concept" effort rather than just a collection of songs. Listening to the entire set plays through on disc, rather than by the song as downloaded, would be helpful in enjoying the sonic experience as Blene designed it.
Time For Love Natchez Nocture Come Back My Love Moonbeams Who Knows Inspire Me Jack Of Hearts The Angels Teardrop The Midnight Waltz Shirley's Tunes I Gave My Heart Look Into My Eyes
"Kid" Howard And His New Orleans Jazz Band At Zion Hill Church
The album was recorded in its entirety at Zion Hill Baptist Church
All Arrangements By Louis Cottrell
Cover: Emerson E Mangum
Engineer: Cosimo Matassa
Jazz Technicians: A. Grayson Clark and James C. Bolton
Cover made by American Box & Tag Co. - New Orleans, La.
Nobility Recording Co. - New Orleans, Louis
Nobility LP 706
1965
Band Members:
Avery "Kid" Howard - Leader, Trumpet and Vocals
Louis Cottrell - Clarinet
Jim Robinson - Trombone
Dave Williams - Piano and Vocal on No. 5
Gerald Adams - Bass Fiddle
George Guesnon - Banjo
Chester Jones - Bass Fiddle
From the back cover: Zion Hill Church is located a few blocks out of the Vieux Carre, or French Quarter, in a section of New Orleans called "Back O' Town" at 922 Treme Street.
On the afternoon of the 14th of August, 1964 – a hot, steamy afternoon following a torrential downpour – music poured from the windows of the little church. It was strong music – gentle music – it was music of comfort for a trouble people.
This is where Avery "Kid" Howard regularly attends services, and when he was asked by the Nobility Recording Company to select the church for the recording session he turned to his pastor and his church as naturally as he would have turned the key to the lock of his own house.
The "Kid", now a mellow 56, tells it this way: "One Sunday after church I told Reverend Griffin that the Nobility Recording Company planned to record some of us playing spirituals and it would be real fine if we could play them right here at Zion Hill Church. Reverend Griffin said, "Name your day, Avery, and does he want the choir, too?"
Welcome Address by Rev Alexander Griffin of Zion Hill Church
Old Time Religion
In The Sweet Bye And Bye
Old Rugged Cross
He'll Understand And Say Well Done
Over In The Gloryland
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
Lily Of The Valley
Just A Little While To Stay Here
Somethin' Of Smith
The 12 Biggest Hits Of Somethin' Smith And The Redheads
Cover photo by Tommy Waddleton, Black Star
Epic LN 3649
1960
It's A Sin To Tell A Lie
I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire
Red Head
When I Grow Too Old To Dream
You Always Hurt The One You Love
Poor Butterfly
Heartache
When All The Streets Are Dark
The Ace In The Hole
A Hundred Years From Today
Coal Dust On The Fiddle
Sweet Stuff
Subways Are For Sleeping
The Comden, Green, And Styne Score From The Boardway Production
Vocal Arrangements for the McGuire Sisters by Murray Kane
Orchestra and Chorus under the direction of Burt Faber
Album produced by Dick Jacobs
The McGuire Sisters Sing
Coral Records CRL 57398
1961
From Billboard - November 27, 1961: This is a hot album by the McGuires. It features the girls in songs from the forthcoming Broadway show (due to open December, 26) "Subways Are For Sleeping." The gals sing the songs with verve and the arrangements are bright, too.
Ride Through The Night
Who Knows What Might Have Been?
Comes Once In A Lifetime
How Can you Describe A Face?
What Is This Feeling In The Air?
Getting Married
I'm Just Taking My Time
I Said It And I'm Glad
When you Help A Friend Out
Now I Have Someone
Be A Santa
Vol. 2 Produced by Henry Glover Roulette R 25251 1964
Why Do Fools Fall In Love - Frankie Lymon Altar Of Love - The Channels Funny - Maxine Brown Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight - The Spaniels Stay - Maurice Williams Tears On My Pillow - Lil Anthony & The Imperials To The Aisle - The Five Satins Walkin' With Mr. Lee - Lee Allen Barbara Anne - The Regents Charlie Brown - The Coasters Down't Play That Song - Ben E. King For Your Precious Love - Jerry Butler I Only Have Eyes For You - The Flamingos Snap Your Fingers - Joe Henderson So Fine - The Fiestas Ten Commandments Of Love - The Moonglows When You Dance - The Turbans Zoom - The Cadillacs Book Of Love - The Monotones All In My Mind - Maxine Brown
The Storm And The Sea
Sounds For Love
Recorded and Produced by Brad Miller
Cover photography by David Muench
Back cover photography by Shostal Associates, Inc.
Warner Bros. BS 2788 (also produced in quadrophonic)
1974
From Billboard - June 22, 1974: Warner Bros. Records will unveil a test TV time buy and promotional campaign behind "Erogenous" a new Mystic Moods LP produced by Brad Miller on July 8 in Chicago, opening around $5,000 for 54 TV spots on two network stations and one independent operation. The 30-second spots will saturate the air for a week with tag announcements about the LP's availability inn Korvettes, Playback, Discount, Sears, and other stores. Other market buys will follow if results are good. An environmental sound LP produced by Miller call "The Storm and the Sea" will be piggybacked in the shrinkwrap to the "Erogenous LP, and the TV spots will promote the fact that both LPs are available for the price of one. Chicago stores have committed to more than 20,000 copies of the package, with a total of 50,000 advance orders nationwide.
