Blue Hawaii - The Polynesians

Blue Hawaii
The Polynesians
Crown Records CST 163
1959

Available from online vendors so I will not be posting a sample. Presented here to share the cover art.

The Polynesians: Harry Baty, Sam Kapuni, Freddy Tavares, Bob Nichols, Joe Guerro and Joe Keawe.

Their "traditional" sound is augmented with space-age pop touches.

Ke Kali Nei Iau (Hawaiian Wedding Song)
Blue Hawaii
Isle Of Golden Dreams
Mauna Wili Hula
Ava Chant
Sweet Leilani
Makala Pua
Maui And Maui Girl
Island Moon
Kou Kino Mambo

How Insensitive - Brasilia Nueve

How Insensitive
By The Brailia Nueve
Contemporary Bossa-Novas
Arranged by Bill Potts
Decca DL 74910
1967

This is a great jazz flavored bossa-nova album. You may be able find the album on an expensive Japanese import CD with different cover art.

Musicians include: Bill Potts - Piano, Zoot Sims - Saxophone, Markie Markowitz - Trumpet, Mel Lewis - Drums, Richard Davis - Bass, Chino Pozo - Conga, Charlie Palmieri - Cabasa, Louie Ramirez - Percussion, Tony Gottuso - Guitar and Barry Galbraith - Guitar.

This album isn't mention on Bill Potts' wiki page.

The album has a timeless cool jazz club sound about it.

After Theatre At The Little Club - Kurt Maier

South Pacific Medley

After Theatre At The Little Club
Kurt Maier Piano And Rhythm
Decca DL 8699
1957

Curious recording from the veteran (five seasons) "house" artist appearing at Billy Reed's Little Club.

Apparently The Little Club was the first restaurant in America to be mentioned for serving the "Caesar Salad.

All I can think of is that The Little Club was such a popular place that someone at Decca thought that they could sell records based on the name alone. This recording is basic lounge. Usually pressings like this are found on private press or on smaller labels.

Winter's Here

Don't Take Your Meanness Out Of Me

Winter's Here
Fraternity Records, Cincinnati, Ohio
F-1001 - 1955

This was a nice score today. Jerri Winters worked with Stan Kenton for eight months in 1952, replacing  June Christy. She recorded several songs with Kenton. When she landed in New York, from the jacket notes, she stuck out on her own but found the Big Apple a tough nut to crack. But, "... in spite of all its pressures, that initiated experimentation with style, and where Jerri Winters assumed her own identity rather than live in the reflected incandescence of derivation."

She released three solo albums, according to her wiki page. This one, (Fraternity's first release), Somebody Loves Me (1957 Bethlehem) and Winters Again (1962 Charlie Parker). Her second and third albums can be found on CD.

Don Coasta arranged the material and directed the the orchestra. Coasta is best known for his work with Frank Sinatra. It may be that he was working for ABC-Paramont Records at this time and was farmed out for this project? It's hard to tell from his wiki page. He was voted number one in Cash Box as the most popular recording arranger and conductor, apparently in 1959(?).

I thought, from the budget look of the jacket this was some local private press. There is very little personal information to be found on Winters.

This is a photo from University Of North Texas Digital Library. Identified are Stan Kenton and Jerri Winters, 1952.

Budget Compilation

Satisfaction

You Can't Trust A Friend

Modern Sound MS 1011

The Stripper - Si Zentner

One Mint Julep

The Stripper
Si Zentner And His Orchestra
Liberty LST 7247
1962

July 14 Billboard: "...should appeal to both adults and teen dancers." I have to laugh at that. I can imagine what my Mother would have thought if I brought home this album with the cover ablaze with the suggestive title and tawdry silhouettes."

Swing fueled space age with a touch of "bump and grind".

Fly Me To The Moon

Fly Me To The Moon
And The Bossa Nova Pops
Joe Harnell His Piano And Orchestra
Kapp KS-3318
1963

Billboard published a short Harnell piece the week of release in the February, 1963 issues under "Artists' Biographies". The single from the album Fly Me To The Moon, was charting "well" on Billboard Hot 100.

This album is available on CD. This is one of those few recordings that seems timeless to me. Opinions are are relative, but the album seems like Harnell could have recorded it yesterday. The sound is very light on the 60s light pop if you know what I mean. The tracks are just fresh sounding. The entire album is consistent and one song flows into the next creating smooth trip for the listener. The engineering is excellent.

Hawaii's Greatest Hits Vol. 2

Hawaii's Greatest Hits Vol. 2
The New Hawaiian Band
Decca Records DL 75088

You will find numerous search returns on The New Hawaiian Band, but very little real information including the release date. The instrumentals were produced in Hawaii by Charles Bud Dant. Band members are listed on the back: Sonny Kaopuiki, leader and guitarist; Pua Almeida, doubling on guitar and uke; Jimmy Kaopuiki, bass; Benny Saks, vibraphonist; Alvin (Barney) Isaacs, steel guitar; and the incomparable Ohta San – probably Hawaii's greatest ukuele player.

This is a nice album. The music is light 60s Hawaiian style pop. Very smooth, slow and understated, not that crazy Enoch Light sound (not that there's anything wrong with that)! The "traditional" sound is augmented by enough 60s vocal flourishes and instrumental touches to keep your interest. What sets this recording apart from the piles of Hawaiian albums I have is the great engineering. There is a rich bass or low end to this record that is missing from most. All instruments are crisp and clear. The over all sound is rich and soothing.

For a slightly space age "island" sound, this album would be a good choice for you.

Organ Reveries - Jesse Crawford

Organ Reveries
Jesse Crawford
Celebrity Records UT 176

This looks like a late 50s release. Crawford passed away in 1962. 

Celebrity was a budget label. Apparently this recording was also released on Crown, another budget label. Someone has purchased and digitized, what seems like the entire Crown library and offer the MP3s online (including this record). I don't know what the Crown cover looked like, but you don't get any cover art with your MP3 purchase.

Love this cover and the zombie-like ballerina.

101 Strings - Hits Of Today

101 Strings
Hits Of Today
Alshire 5326

This is another one of the few 101s that I've found that I like.

First check out the cover model. Come on honey, spread them a little more... a little more... until it hurts!

Great covers of Brazil, Malibu Sun, Theme From Jaws (yes... the Theme From Jaws).

The titles I checked can be had by the MP3 download. Of course, the original cover image is not included.

Three cheers for vinyl!