The Groovy Organ Goes Romantic - Maurice Montez

That Old Black Magic

The Groovy Organ Goes Romantic
Featuring Maurice Montez
Design Records
SLP-265

The word "romantic" in the album title doesn't necessarily mean "boring". This is great small combo organ based lounge jazz record. And the album cover features a very groovy looking organ that is credited as a Panther Jazz Organ Courtesy Of Merson/Unicard.

The Age Of Electronicus

Give It Up Or Turn It Loose

The Age Of Electronicus
Synthesized On The Moog By Dick Hyman
Command ABC - 946-S
1969

"Bloops and bleeps music", or some such phrase was used by another "reviewer" to describe an electronics album I blogged a little while back. They used it like it was a common term even if, to me the phrase didn't seem to describe the album I was listening to. But the phrase stuck with me and while listening to this album I recall the song "Popcorn" by Gershon Kingsley and was able to a "hear" the bloops and bleeps of this period of "moog" music.

Some of the tracks, or parts of tracks from this album are "bloops and bleeps", some are not. The first track is heavy on the "popcorn" vibe, and I frankly didn't do it for me. The second track (the featured track) immediately saved the day with it's late 60s (or early 70s) fusion funkiness. But the album is more than what I just mentioned. The first track on side two, Kolumbo is a trip to the planet of "middle-eastern-belly-dancing-in-the-middle-of-space" cool. And then it's back to the "popcorn", but with an interesting minimalist feel to it. The following track has a "Tomita" vibe to it.

So, as a historical collectible, this album bridges the late 50s early 60s electronica with hints of "sounds" still to come while holding on to a touch of that Enoch Light/Command period "light pop" vibe.

The album, produced after Enoch Light sold Command to ABC, still features an elaborate gatefold jacket.  Hyman or Command also gets credit from me for the the cool album title and creative type treatment.

Side one

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
Give It Up Or Turn It Loose
Blackbird
Aquarius
Green Onions

Side two

Kolumbo
Time Is Tight
Alfie
Both Sides Now

American Gold - Henry Jerome

Light My Fire

American Gold

24 Million Sellers In A Two Record Set
Henry Jerome
United Artists UXS 71

This is a nice gatefold jacket featuring a sparkly hot cheesecake model. The music reflects the cover vibe nicely. Without getting into trouble with Jerome fans, which of course, I will just now. The tone of the music reminds me of Muzak. Yeah... I'm in trouble. But this is very light pop and I am not denigrating Muzak either. I search those album out. If you collect period music of this nature you'll find this album light and delightful. If you had a horrible experience while trapped in an elevator around 1970... I'm sorry about the flashback you may now be experiencing.

Side one:

Uptight
You've Made Me So Very Happy
Goin' Out Of My Head
Respect
Monday, Monday
Aquarius

Side two:


The Shadow Of Your Smile
Son-Of-A Preacher Man
Mrs. Robinson
Little Green Apples
Reach Out I'll Be There
What The World Need Now Is Love

Side three:

Oh, Pretty Woman
Spinning Wheel
For Once In My Life
Scarborough Fair
Moon River
Sunny

Side four:

Baby Love
By The Time I Get To Phoenix
Light My Fire
Spanish Harlem
Fly Me To The Moon
On The Dock Of The Bay

Holiday In Spain - Lew Raymond Orchestra

Danza

Holiday In Spain
Lew Raymond Orchestra
Vocals By Diane Castillo and Nestor Amaral
Tops L1586
1957

From the back cover: On the podium is the gifted conductor-composer, Lew Raymond, who has written especially for this album the composition, Danza. Mr. Raymond is more than ordinarily qualified to organize and conduct an album of Spanish music. Before the war he led the orchestra at the celebrated Benito Collado's El Chico restaurant in New York's Greenwich Village, accompanying such renowned performers as dancers Argentenita and Vicente Escudero; flamenco guitarists Vicente Gomze and Carlos Montoya; and numerous singers in the Spanish tradition.

I bought the album for the bad habits cover, the image of the blue-eyed model smoking. The music is somewhat traditional with (period) modern touches. The vocal pieces by Diane Castillo are very nice.

Cocktails & Belly Dancing

Baalbakiyeh

Cocktails & Belly Dancing
Sahda Pretty Dancing Girl
Naif Agby
Audio Fidelity AFSD 6122

This album was a handout to the folks who attended the 1980 National Tour Brokers Association Convention held in the Key West Room at the Hyatt Convention Center near Bush Gardens.

Belly dancing will be by the Troupe Sahara Belly Dancers from The Dark Continent.

Provocative Electronics

Provocative Electronics
Electronic Constructions On Traditional Forms
By Professor Emerson Meyers & Associates
Electronic Music Laboratory
The Catholic University Of America
Westmenster Gold WGS8129
1970

Great electronics album with a late 50 through that early 60s dark and moody "science fiction" vibe I enjoy so much. There is a touch of 70s in the vibe, but just a touch. Nice variation of tonality throughout.

Available for purchase/download, so I won't be posting a sample.

Side one:

Rhythmus
Excitement
In Memoriam For Soprano and Tape
Chez Dentiste
Moonlight Sound Pictures

Side two:

Fantasia Of Organ
Intervals
Fanfare and Raga for Bassoon and Tape

A Night At The Boulevard

Just Enough - Teddy Bart

A Night At The Boulevard
Joe Leahy And His Orchestra
Felsted FL7503

From the back cover: The popularity of night clubs in the early twenties reached their zenith in a decade and then proceeded to decline. The score or so of top night clubs throughout the country that have survived are the clubs with the magic – the best in entertainment and the best food. Such a rendezvous is the Boulevard in Rego Park, Queens, just a hop, skip, and a jump from Manhattan.

Teddy Bart is a personable young man from Johnstown, Pa., of whom it is said almost started another flood with the tears from his fans who wept at his leaving Pennsylvania for the big time.


Fun to collect for the cover and local history. The tracks were probably existing material (not recorded live). The songs were processed through reverb and drowned in "crowd noise" to make it seem as though they had been recorded live.

Fabulous Female Singers From Back In The Day

While I was listening to the terrific June Christy album (cover posted below) I thought that it would be fun create a page that features cover examples featuring a few of my top female vocalists from the period of music that I blog here. I realize everyone has their favorites, these are mine. There is something special about the style of these artists that appeals to me over the many others I've listened to. From the smoky hot Julie London to the other worldly Yma Sumac you can't go wrong with these women. The covers featured below are examples I had handy. The artists made many other terrific records that you can search out and enjoy.

June Christy

The Cool School

Capitol Records T1398

1960

Julie London

Julie Is Her Name - Volume Two

Liberty

LRP 3100

1958

Yma Sumac

Mambo!

Capitol Records

L564

1954

Nancy Ames

Spice With Brasil

Epic

LN24238

1967

Like Yesterday

Beverly Kenney

Decca

DL8948

1960