Exoctic Greece

Zaeera - Marika Ninou

Exotic Greece
Gredophon
Fiesta GRS 135

I can't find any info on this release. It looks like an import manufactured in the U.S. sometime in the 60s.

You basic budget affair with a reasonably nice cover. The recordings are engineered unevenly (at different times, in different settings) and there are some sonic issues with the pressing I've got.

There are several nice tunes to on the LP.

I was able to find the following video featuring of one of the artists, Marika Ninou.

America's Most Popular Cha Cha's

Baby It's Cold Outside Cha Cha

America's Most Popular Cha Cha's
Alfredo Gomez And His Latin America Orchestra
Audition Records AUD 33-5937

Here's an obscure Cha Cha record on an obscure label featuring a lost to history (as far as I can tell) recording artist. This is early 60s bachelor pad fare.

There is an organ featured on a few tracks that helps to create an unique sounding Cha Cha song. This is a pretty dang good space age record.

Heart Of Hawaii

Dark Dawn

Heart Of Hawaii
Promenade Records 2223

Here is a great find. This is a terrific easy listening album, heavy on the exotica vibe.

There is no information to be found on this budget label release. The back cover is loaded with fluff about Hawaiian history and so forth. There is no mention of who the artist is on the jacket. I swear that I've heard this album before. It may be that I have this same record released on another label.

Most of the songs have a wonderful haunting vocal treatment that keep the tracks from becoming simple easy listening. Additionally, the arrangements are creative which helps keep the sound moving along.

There is also an excellent and very dramatic cover of Hawaiian War Chant on this album along with a nice cover of Beyond The Reef. I chose a track from the B side, Dark Dawn, because it seemed to be the most unusual and most mood setting song on the record. Give it a chance, there is a very weird little guitar break about half way through.

And, I've never seen heavier vinyl. This record is very thick.

24 Original Happening Hits

24 Original Happening Hits
Telerad, Inc.
Hollywood Album Center GT9000

Out of 900 some posts, this could be the worst album cover I've ever had the pleasure of sharing.

This is a completely obscure compilation album that feature actual original songs.

There are some way cool songs on this LP including Turn Down Day, by The Cyrkle, My Little Red Book by The Love, Wooly Bully by Sam The Sham, Little Girl by The Syndicate Of Sound, Western Union by The Five Americans, Sunny by Bobby Hebb, Daydream by The Lovin' Spoonful, Good Lovin' by The Young Rascals, Pushin' Too Hard by The Seeds, Land Of 1000 Dances by Wilson Pickett, Younger Girl by The Critters, and I Who Have Nothing by Terry Knight & The Pack. Even a really cool tune by The Four Seasons, Bermuda. Some songs appear to be cut short in an effort squeeze all the songs onto the LP.

I like to know how such a complete budget label was able secure rights to publish popular songs. The record was actually pressed by Columbia Record Productions.

Folk Western

Little Brown Jug

Folk Western
The Man In The Mood Singers
Moon Children's Library

Completely obscure children's record with a great graphic cover and well crafted songs including my favorite kid's song about alcoholism!

Ping Pong Sound Of Guitars In Percussion

Sun Spots

The Ping Pong Sound Of Guitars In Percussion
By Eddie Wayne & Group
Coronet Records CXS-139
A Division Of Premier
1963

This was a nice find. I've got a number of "ping pong" records. The term "ping pong", I'm pretty sure originated with Enoch Light. He used it to describe the result of throwing sound back and forth between channels. Stereo was new technology and audio bouncing around channels must have seemed cool. For the most part, the effect was distinct and normally more so at the start of a song. The effect was used badly by most labels who tried to copy it.

It this case all the label did was barrow the term and nothing more. The entire album title is misleading. But the music is cool. For the most part it is very "surf".

I made some attempt to find info on Eddie Wayne online with no success. There are songs with a more driving beat on the album, but I warmed up most to the last track on the B side, Sun Spots.

Enjoy!

Johnny Rivers - Realization

Johnny Rivers
Realization
IR Imperial Records LP 12372
1968

I'm 53 years old and never heard of Johnny Rivers. The cover looked interesting and I bought it for about $4.

You know, Rivers does a cover of White Shade Of Pale that is pretty cool and the album seems to hold together thematically and has a nice smooth vibe. Some might consider it "light" for the time period. I enjoyed the recording.

Quiet Nights & Brazilian Guitars

Here Lies Love

Quiet Nights And Brazilian Guitars
Guitars Unlimited
Capitol/EMI Records T 2451
1966

Very nice light jazz with a 60s vibe. Recommended.

Jackie Gleason Presents - Velvet Brass

Jackie Gleason PresentsVelvet Brass
Capitol Records SW859
1959

Finding a new Gleason record always perks my interest. Gleason is one of my favs to collect. He made some of the best, what I call "romantic" music. That's simply smooth cool easy listening that stays in the groove throughout the album creating a mood (usually with a nod to the romantic). Gleason manages to do this unlike anyone else with quite and sparse arrangements. Of course, this is a cool cover, so how could I go wrong for my 50¢?

I'm not a big brass lover, and I find the brass albums I like the best are 60s cheese LPs known as "The Now Sound". But I knew Gleason would have no part of that, plus this album is too early for that trend.

The album is once again sparse and mood setting. Sort of a cross between big band and smoky lounge jazz. Not bad, and you've got the smoking cover art!

Music For Cards, Conversation And Cuddling

Sunset Melody

Music For Cards, Conversation And Cuddling
Harry Hermann And His Orchestra
Decca Records DL 8563
1958

Billboard indicated that this album had "Moderate potential". But thought the cover was "attractive".

This is a somewhat obscure Decca release and I could find almost nothing online concerning Harry Hermann.  From the back cover: "...by the fact that at seventeen, he was playing with the Vienna Philharmonic under the direction of Richard Strauss.

I'm not sure exactly what story the cover art is telling and the ever-so-light easy listening music is way too low key to play during a shouting match.

Spectacular Harps

Caravan

Robert Maxwell

Spectacular Harps
MGM Records E3836
1960

Robert Maxwell used the harp more as a percussion instrument, an innovative approach.

This album was marketed by MGM as part of a "Spectacular" series of records. Albums featuring "brass", accordions, percussion and harmonicas where released at the same time as Spectacular Harps.

The record isn't one that sets a "mood". Songs range from soft and atmospheric to cheesy 60s light fare. But all songs sound fresh and unique so I can recommend the album.

Moog - The Electric Eclectics Of Dick Hyman

Moog
The Electric Eclectics Of Dick Hyman
Command ABC Records 938-S
1969

This is the first of several "Moog" synth records Hyman made on the Command label. This LP can be found, including some tracks from the follow-up LP, The Age Of Eletronicus, on CD.

I read one review that make you think the entire LP is filled with cheesy music. The first few tracks on the A side are sort of cheesy sounding. I like that 60s sound, myself. But the remaining tracks on the A side are dark and mysterious and seem to me to pave the path for many science fiction sound tracks to come (although I must admit I'm no historian when it comes to Moog history and when Hollywood latched on to the synth sound). Side B opens with a long track titled The Minotaur. The vibe reminds me a touch of something Frank Zappa might have done if he swapped in his guitar for a Moog long enough to compose one song.

The rest of side 2 is equally atmospheric. I do wonder why Hyman didn't just create a solid concept LP doing away with the more "light" tracks found on the A side.

Serenade In The Night

Exotica

Mood Music
Serenade In The Night
Philip Green And His Orchestra
MGM Records E3119
1954

I can find precious little information on Philiip Green.

I would label this album "light exotica". The track list features a number of popular exotica tunes.

The A side is somewhat more interesting than the B side, which seems to fall back more heavily on standard easy listening arrangements.

Ferrante & Teicher - Twin Pianos

Twin Pianos
Ferrante & Teicher
Phillips And Burns
With The Metropolitan Strings
Guest Star Records G 1410

This record is the mono release of this pressing, but the jacket sports different cover art.