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
Capitol Records ST 1946
1963

This is a fabulous space age Bossa Nova album. A few tracks are available for purchase/download, but not the one I've selected for a sample.

Group members include: 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 and Justin Gordon - flute.

Visit this site which is dedicated to the memory of Almeida.

Footlight Percussion - Terry Snyder

The Gentlemen Is A Dope

Footlight Percussion
Terry Snyder
Ultra Audio WWS 6508
1961

Here's another terrific space age/ping pong percussion album by Terry Snyder. I mean... when a cover of The Sound Of Music sounds cool... you know you've got something. Good all the way through, it was hard to select a sample.

Also check another another Terry Synder post on my blog: Terry Snyder, Creator Of Persuasive Percussion.

Go Places With Lassie

Brazil

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 your 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.  Hey... I said... Whoa!

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!

Lisbon Antiqua

Martin Denny!

Liberty LST-7438

1966

Easy listening done up the Martin Denny way. Denny's small combo jazz approach make easy listening easy to listen to!

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

I buy many budget albums that quickly go on the stack to trade, sell or otherwise dispose of. Occasionally, I pick one up that surprises me. This record promised to be total 60s easy listening strings... but the song titles looked promising.

The record turns out to be an interesting and fun 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. And those lovely mysterious chorus/vocal backing touches really help sell the tracks that they are used on.

It was hard to pick a sample. Ebb Tide is really a nice quite piece but I'll have to go with

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, sorry! 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 that I've collected and featured here. 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

Nathan Jones

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 defense they claimed that they had to pay usage fees to rights holders to publish famous (original) songs. and, therefore... couldn't afford a decent cover illustration.

 I will not say that about this cover... because now I know...

Another Taste Of Honey! - Martin Denny

Cool (From West Side Story)

Another Taste Of Honey!

Martin Denny
Liberty LRP-3277
1963

Small combo jazz from one the originator of exotica. Straight forward stuff with no bird calls. Great stuff as always from Denny!

Only available on vinyl.

Check out my post for a sample from Denny's album, A Taste Of Honey.

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, sorry, I will not be posting a sample. But 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 exotica 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 some groovy vibe work.

Gold Finger - The Great Strings

Goldfinger

Dear Heart & Gold Finger
The Great Strings
Design Records DLP-195
1962

The word Goldfinger on the cover of any album from the 60s will sell the album to me.

The cover even sports a little yellow square with "007" and blue gun icons to sweeten the deal.

Of course the music is throughly orchestrated easy listening. I think you'll agree this is the most "sedate" cover of Goldfinger you've ever heard. Still... there is something about the track that I like.

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 is probably "funkier" now than when it was released. Fun stuff if you are into 60s easy listening funk.

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, GNP is still pressing records (as far as I can tell, having seen recently pressed releases in record stores) and they hold copyright on many of their original titles. So sorry, once again I will not not posting a sample. Maybe they would consider releasing this album. But for now, look for the vinyl.

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 typically 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
Command Records RS 813 SD
1960

Consistent light pop vibe throughout and typical excellent Command engineering.

Side one

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

Side two

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 - Strings, Guitars, Voices

Ritual Fire Dance

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

Had I not noticed this album listed in Baxter's discography on his wiki page I would have thought that this LP was going to be a knock off of Baxter's work. The cover is a little lame, the label is budget and the jacket notes are written in a detached fashion. But this is Baxter's stuff.

There are a number of fun tunes on the album including Vereda Tropical, Sabre Dance, It's A Big Wide, Wonderful World and Ritual Fire Dance. Some of the tracks are available on collections... but Ritual Fire Dance appears to be from Baxter's 1959 album Wild Guitars. Everybody under the sun seems to have that LP online for download, so I guess it won't hurt to post that tune as the sample. Enjoy!

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 are completely different than the titles that appear on this album.

So I thought that I could post a sample for you all.  The sample is from The Wai Patu Concert Party side.

Cocktails For Two

None But The Lonely Heart

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

Budget label piano lounge featuring a hot model on the cover and three pianists: Rod Gregory, Billy Rowland and Ashley Adams.

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). Is that beard real? Yes!

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.

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 sorry, 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 easy listening blended here and there 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 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 (although I can't really date the release). If it is Frigo, he 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.