2016-10-25

an easy affair - volume two


an easy affair
- volume two (2016)
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compiled in dallas for easy listening fan/friends.
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01 - lalo schifrin - the foxtail
02 - syd dale - man friday
03 - hugo montenegro - the silencers
04 - mat mathews orchestra - johnny q
05 - king richards fluegel knights - call him back
06 - birds 'n brass - sort of soul
07 - the electronic concept orchestra - the look of love
08 - martin denny - incense and peppermints
09 - francis lai - i love you, phil
10 - neal hefti - the revolt of johnathan rosepettle iii
11 - the soulful strings - wade in the water
12 - david amram - mountain snow
13 - 101 strings - strings for ravi
14 - lalo schifrin - affair in madrid
15 - paul mauriat - eleanor rigby
16 - raymond lefevre - days of pearly spencer
17 - bert kaempfert - oh woman, oh why
18 - the simon park orchestra - the glass triangle
19 - johnny keating - everything happens to me
20 - augusto alguero - stay with me forever
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2015-09-30

an easy affair - volume one


an easy affair
- volume one (2015)
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compiled with my new record player from lps found since moving to dallas three months ago.
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2014-10-23


hugo montenegro
- others by brothers (1975)
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this is my new favourite montenegro - man is this funky. "others by brothers" could be un-pc if hugo wasn't such a kind-hearted and clearly well-intentioned white man who at this point is thoroughly black on the inside - but is that cover model really eating an orange?
soul/black tunes of the late sixties and seventies are transformed into instrumental-funk classics - an irrisistable hybrid of orchestra arp and moog. more apostrophe's than ever before, hugo hits the funk streets like a mean ass montenegro. love john's track "creepin'."
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01 - caravan
02 - never can say goodbye
03 - noah's arp
04 - feel like makin' love
05 - everything i have is yours
06 - jezebel
07 - jalousie
08 - close your eyes
09 - temptation
10 - come back to sorrento
11 - tabu
12 - all or nothing at all
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paul desmond
- summertime (1968)
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easy was my way into jazz. they're very closely related in many ways, though hardcore modern jazz lovers would surely scorn a lot of what we listen to. fortunate for me i don't have to miss out on either. one of the jazz labels i quickly became a fan of was cti - thanks to rudy van gelder and creed taylor, a whole string of luscious latin jazz releases found their way into my collection. the late and early seventies were a golden era for cti, and included antonio carlos jobim releases, and a host of jazz albums with hubert laws, ron carter, wes montgomery and deodata (amongst others.) They all played on each other's albums. i imagine creed's ultra stylish modern home in the hills of california with the studio downstairs, every one just hanging out and then paul says "say, let's make my record."
this lp is for me much more easy than it is jazz, and i love the smooth laid back sunday afternoon feel it has. hugo montenegro's "lady in cement" is fantastic, and this cover is so cool i have used it in several compilations. if you're looking for something to ease your mind after a vicious week at work, this guy will do the trick.
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01 - samba with some barbecue
02 - olvidar
03 - ob-la-di, ob-la-da
04 - emily
05 - someday my prince will come
06 - autumn leaves
07 - where is love
08 - lady in cement
09 - north by northeast
10 - summertime
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the botticelli orchestra
- ...the sound of today (1977)
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the reason i gave this late seventies release a second glance was because it is a phase 4 stereo release. i guessed it would be instrumental, and hoped it would be orchestral and not just generic disco. the guess paid off - it is a wonderful record, lush superb arrangements involving a full orchestra and some tasteful background vocals.
the sound for me is reminiscent of bert kaempfert's "tropical sunrise" (a masterpiece!) so i'm pleased to have another late seventies release i can love.
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01 - botticelli's theme
02 - fernando
03 - save your kisses for me
04 - this melody
05 - besame mucho
06 - je vais t'aimer
07 - right back where we started from
08 - could it be magic
09 - avant de nous dire adieux
10 - come prima
11 - t'aimer encore une fois
12 - theme from mahogany
13 - tu sais je t'aime
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roberto delgado
- samba caramba south america ole (1970)
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slayer and i agree this is one of delgado's best medley records. i don't usually do medleys, but this one, like show dancing, has found a fond place in my collection. i thought it was released 1973 but see on the record itself a P 1970.
happy samba!
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01 - mama inez, carioca, el colas
02 - la bamba, amor, tequila
03 - besame mucho, mexicana
04 - summer samba, el condor pasa
05 - negra maria, carnevalito, rum, tabasco
06 - perfidia, la ragazza
07 - adios mariquita, amapola, um poco rio
08 - ave maria no morro, maria elena
09 - vaya con dias, banana boat, soul calypso
10 - corcovado, pepito, el rancho, felicidad
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2014-10-22


roger webb
- film music (1974)
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i'm a complete sucker for the smooth sound of stereo2stereo releases, and unfortunately I don't have enough! those who enjoyed the simon parks orchestra "eye level" should definitely try this release. there's some crackle in this recording, and an unfortunate scratch at the end of track five, but i find i'm much more relaxed with these than the underwater muffle produced by my nero wave editor declickers.
favourite tracks include the sublime bossa of "summer green, autumn gold" and roger's version of "m.a.s.h". the smooth seventies phrases of "tubular bells" and "free as the wind" are where it's at for me in studio2stereo. if anyone knows of other fine releases from this label available online, please let me know!
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01 - the way we were
02 - summer green, autumn gold
03 - beyond tomorrow
04 - it's only a paper moon
05 - remember love
06 - the entertainer
07 - tubular bells
08 - what'll i do
09 - song from m.a.s.h
10 - free as the wind
11 - sail the summer winds
12 - the gentle softness enter the dragon
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fantastic quadro
- grosse orchester spielen welthits (1975)
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this basf compilation is a mixed bag of mid-seventies instrumental pop, and it's a lot of fun. apparently the previous owner was "pop shop - rent-a-record" the mere thought of which gives me chills. the vinyl is a little battered, but as with many 70s lps the sound has remained in tact, and after a digital bath it's pretty darn good.
noteworthy tracks include all werner twardy numbers, peter thomas medleys (in a good way,) and my favourite, a lush seventies rendition of moon river!
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01 - berry lipman - the most beautiful girl
02 - big band baden-baden - in the mood
03 - peter thomas - wanderin' star, yellow heart, few dollars
04 - werner twardy - seasons in the sun
05 - brandenburg big band - beat at the philharmonic
06 - berry lipman - music to watch girls by
07 - werner twardy - seasons in white
08 - big band baden-baden - american patrol
09 - peter thomas - lied vom tod, rio bravo
10 - tattoos - speak softly love
11 - werner twardy - moon river
12 - berry lipman - emmanuelle
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roberto delgado
- along mexican highways (1959)
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this is the earliest delgado album i have, and i suspect it may be roberto's first. it's utterly charming, really fresh, and the instrumentation is top notch. the arrangement is also truly innovative, and it really feels like mr. delgado is discovering his love of latin music.
the lp itself is a little beat up, but i've decided i want to share it regardless, at least until somebody else offers a better copy. i'm always surprised at how well these thick heavy platters from the fifties preserve the sound. inbetween the crackle the sound is still crisp. most of the recording faired well in the sound cleanup except maybe "la bamba" which is why i've included a cd copy of it from a compilation. i was amused to see that this lp cover lists him as "Roberto del Gado" and has a genre on the back called "for your romantik mood" :)
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01 - amapola
02 - noches de mazatlan
03 - suby universitario
04 - cielito lindo
05 - estrellita
06 - el rascapetate
07 - la bamba
08 - ruega por nosotros
09 - green eyes
10 - la malaguena
11 - ahora y siempre
12 - el jarabe tapatio
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john barry
- ready when you are, jb (1970)
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i am so in love with this record at the moment. i don't know if it's the emotional times or what but these tracks are filled with such great beauty. achingly brilliant.
"who will buy my yesterdays" comes from another world. how did he come up with this? it's just so profoundly touching to me right now. get this - you will not be sorry.
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01 - midnight cowboy
02 - we have all the time in the world
03 - theme from romance for guitar and orchestra
04 - who will buy my yesterdays
05 - fun city
06 - the lion in winter
07 - on her majesty's secret service
08 - theme from the appointment
09 - try (from ohm secret service)
10 - the more things change
11 - afternoon
12 - theme from born free
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orchester fritz maldener
- speedy buggy (1973)
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if you can get past the seriously uncool looking chicks in the "buggy," and fritz himself wearing a fur cap (like dr. zhivago) in mid summer, you'll find that this record absolutely rocks! it reminds me of james last but funkier, with plenty fender rhodes and gorgeous girl / boy chorus action.
favourite tracks include the breezy summer of "open window," and lowdown cool brass of "speedy buggy."
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01 - rockin' voices
02 - red flame
03 - open window
04 - speedy buggy
05 - scotch pub
06 - non stop dancing
07 - wild luck
08 - top snob
09 - riding easy
10 - half note-shuffle
11 - pay attention
12 - short walk
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roland shaw and his orchestra
- more james bond in action (1967)
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back in 1996 when re-releases were fewer and further inbetween, "the look of love" and "let the love come through" made it onto the karminski comp inflight entertainment. soon afterwards, a roland shaw bond selection was re-released as "the world of james bond adventure!" together with swanky artwork and phase-4 deram logos. i was so happy to find that at my cape town cd store! this lp is the second of the three, and i thought i'd post it for anyone who never got the previously mentioned cd release. they are great lps. one will follow shortly if there's interest.
comparing this lp to the cd release, i see there are 4 tracks not included on the comp, and these are "capsules in space," "gypsy camp," "teasing the korean" and "have no fear, bond is here." "gypsy camp" is way cool and i recognise "have no fear..." but from where exactly?
visit the crime lounge for more roland shaw and other deadly international conspiracies...
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01 - you only live twice
02 - capsules in space
03 - gypsy camp
04 - teasing the korean
05 - the wedding
06 - have no fear, bond is here
07 - the look of love
08 - bond below disco volante
09 - thunderball
10 - jump up
11 - chateau fight
12 - let the love come through
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augusto alguero
- sounds spectacular (1968)
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when inflight entertainment was released, the karminski brothers introduced us to a whole world of stylish lounge. one of my favourite tracks from that compilation was "discoteque" by augusto alguero. i became obsessed with find an augusto alguero record, and when i finally did, i was not disappointed. he is one creative spaniard and puts his fire and flair into even the most done standards. a couple of years back a re-release finally appeared, much to my joy.
favourite tracks off this album include "gran premio" and "sera el amor." i've mixed and matched alternate sources (cd plus my lp) but i think the levels are fine. if you don't know augusto alguero yet then you are in for a wonderful treat.
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01 - delilah
02 - i'm coming home
03 - pata-pata
04 - cherie babette
05 - magico sonido
06 - it must be love (sera el amor)
07 - la la la
08 - la muchachita del pianillo
09 - cuando sali de cuba
10 - the ballad of bonnie and clyde
11 - road to marbella
12 - gran premio
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michel legrand
- violent violins (1968)
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while we're on the topic of inflight entertainment, this album was such a great find and an exquisite record, which i was first alerted to through the two tracks included on that first karminski comp. it is rather insane, but with such an effortless sense of style that in my mind makes it one of the great lounge classics. michel legrand had a brilliant career, but i cannot help but wish he'd made more such daring excursions into pop.
i was going to post this right at the start but was concerned about the sound quality - i ran it through some cleanup and hope it brings some joy. bon voyage...
ps: also released under titles "archi-chords" (france) and "plays for dancers" (usa) - tx guys.
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01 - di-gue-ding-ding
02 - noix de coco
03 - orange blossom special
04 - come ray and come charles
05 - hi-girls
06 - manhattan stroll
07 - alcatraz
08 - da-we-da
09 - monkey business
10 - come ride with me
11 - motor-city
12 - bandol
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augusto alguero
- top hits my way (1969)
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here is my other augusto alguero lp, as promised. this is his second release on polydor every bit as dynamic and exciting as his first. i'm having a big alguero moment, so if anyone has any non-polydor alguero please let me know. i long for a taste of what came after his polydor recordings (if indeed there were any.)
this whole lp rocks - no filler, all winner. "bocaccio soul" is a killer and has enjoyed much airtime on many a compilation.
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01 - hey jude
02 - love child
03 - la feria
04 - cielito si, si
05 - i say a little prayer
06 - eloise
07 - les bicyclettes de belsize
08 - el gran amor
09 - those were the days
10 - winter word of love
11 - bocaccio soul
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francis lai
- francis lai joue francis lai (1971)
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i'm a big fan of people doing themselves. "jankowski plays jankowski" is a fine example of when this gets done with creativity and enjoyment, as is this release from francis lai in 1971. a couple of years short of the other release i've posted, this one also has the same signature sound of the electric accordian. the arrangements are excellent, and as these tracks have all been recorded specifically for this lp, the mood and identity is unique. think creative genius meets warmth, and you're on the right track.
highly recommended for all francis lai fans, and as an intro for any ready to be converted. the man is a genius, resistance is futile!
PS: track listing is apparently incorrect on cover - see comments section for alternate list...
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01 - love story
02 - un homme et une femme
03 - le voyou
04 - le passager de la pluie
05 - du soleil plein les yeux
06 - madly
07 - un homme qui me plait
08 - 13 jours en france
09 - vivre pour vivre
10 - dans la poussiere du soleil
11 - hello goodbye
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2014-10-21

werner muller and the london festival and chorus
- a mystic portrait of the moody blues (1974)

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what a fantastic and strange werner muller album. done with the london festival orchestra and chorus, the sound is big and anthemic, and the tracks meander to dramatic crescendos, all in a lush production as only 1974 would offer. been loving listening to it as i've been ripping it. this may be out there already, but it's new to me and i'm loving it, so i decided to add it for those still missing this lovely entry in mr. muller's broad and brilliant career.
if i had to pick a favourite (though i love them all,) it would be "land of make-believe," which for me is a haunting gem of string, horn and flutey seventies bliss (does that come with ice cream? :)).
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01 - have you heard
02 - are you sitting comfortably
03 - ride my see-saw
04 - isn't life strange
05 - the story in your eyes
06 - question
07 - tuesday afternoon
08 - land of make-believe
09 - nights in white satin
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PFS 4293



the fritz maldener orchestra
the voo doo's
- studio one 23 (1973)

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this rather exceptional library record comes from my friend waldo in the cape, and is from the familiar "studio one" range. on the a-side we have fritz maldener, who i posted an earlier album of released on mps called "speedy buggy," which kicks ass, but it is the voo doo's on side b that really steal the show. their stuff is a hybrid of totally psyched out guitars and moog woven into tropical african rhythms shamelessly placed in brackets as "african beat", "afro beat" and even, my favourite, "black beat" (oh yeah...) truly, the voo doo's know how to get down several different ways, and their song writing is definitely a notch above library stock. would be interesting knowing what their tracks were finally used for :).
my favourites are "exotic fruit" and "o mané."
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the fritz maldener orchestra
01 - san diego (mambo)
02 - usambara cha cha (cha cha)
03 - coffee time (samba)
04 - caribian sun (latin rock)
05 - argentinian flight (merenge)
06 - senorita margarita (cha cha mambo)
07 - pernambuco samba (samba)
the voo doo's
08 - boo bam bam boo (african beat)
09 - o man‚ (happy african beat)
10 - mungo go go (fast conga beat)
11 - african news (black beat)
12 - tropical nights (afro beat)
13 - exotic fruits (afro beat)
14 - in the city of haiti (afro beat)
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BERRY MUSIC CO. S.0.23




alfred hause and his orchestra
- tango notturno (1963)

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this wonderful early release from alfred hause is packed with intoxicating tango magic. It gives an interesting look at the beginning of a highly successful run with polydor, and contains lots of flutes, strings, piano, guitar and of course that signature accordion.
the title track "tango notturno" has become one of his famous tracks and is included on most compilations. i love "regentropfen" (raindrops on my window) and "blauer himmel" (blue heaven.)
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01 - adios muchachos
02 - violetta
03 - a media luz
04 - tango notturno
05 - tango kavaljeren
06 - caminito
07 - el pardo
08 - blauer himmel
09 - ole guapa
10 - la cumparsita
11 - regentropfen
12 - o sole mio
13 - florentinische nachte
14 - lago maggiore
15 - tango irene
16 - jalousie
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Polydor 46 344 LPHM



the film studio orchestra
- golden suspense movie themes (1970)

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this one is definitely my biggest surprise yet from charl's loan pack. from the enigmatic "film studio orchestra" that brought us the wonderful francis lai quad lp, here is a collection of inventive thriller theme arrangements with fantastic jazz overtones that give a unique and wholly captivating flavour to what could otherwise pass as an unnoticed standards record. i keep listening to it - great great stuff. thank you japan, thank you "film studio orchestra" :) you guys got the groove on this one.
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01 - the sicilians
02 - melodie en sous-sol
03 - le grisbi
04 - goldfinger
05 - from russia with love
06 - we have all the time in the world
07 - par un beau matin d'ete
08 - j'irai cracher sur vos tombes
09 - les liasons dangereuses (no problem)
10 - des femmes disparaissent
11 - ascenseur pour l'echafaud
12 - licensed to kill
13 - man with the golden arm
14 - mission impossible
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BON 190



dominic frontiere and his orchestra
- pagan festival (1959)

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hi, i'm back :). found this exotica record down in a little shop in fish hoek. wonderful stuff. and how about them track titles? temple of suicide? lol.
my favourite for now is'goddess of love.'
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01 - festival
02 - house of dawn
03 - temple of suicide
04 - moon goddess
05 - time of sunshine
06 - goddess of love
07 - house of pleasure
08 - the harvest
09 - corn festival
10 - god of seasons
11 - jaguar god
12 - venus girl
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ASF 1041



the mike hankinson big band
- south african safari (1975)

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i just had to post this as one of my return lps. thanks to my friend waldo for finding this woderful obscurity. on mfp, the sound is much closer to studio2stereo recordings or chaquito tv themes - it absolutely cooks, start to finish. talk about a surprise. to make the heart grow even fonder, all tracks are original compositions named after south african places and icons, and the last track is named after the place i grew up, the kruger park.
highly recommended for compilations and lounge dancefloors...lounge dancefloors? hey, where are those? :)
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01 - highveld highride
02 - give '5'
03 - caprivi strip
04 - rand show
05 - garden route
06 - blue train
07 - jacaranda jaunt
08 - kyalami
09 - cape to rio
10 - street preacher
11 - kango caves
12 - mineshaft
13 - sauer street shuffle
14 - the protea
15 - kruger park
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STEREO MFP 54649



chaquito and his orchestra
- latin favourites (1960)

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this early chaquito release has a fun more genuine latin feel than later releases and has vocals to boot. must've been a hit at all those swinger parties. i have another excellent chaquito lp called "el bandido" from 1968 which unfortunately was a warp - there's a regular hiss rhythm as the vinyl turns, no tone difference. i'm going to include a link to "el bandido" in the comments to this one, just because it's so fabulous i think it's worth it even with the flawed sound. think of it as a bonus chaquito then nobody can complain :).
"serenata negra" is a longstanding favourite :) of mine.
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01 - el mensu
02 - serenata negra
03 - dardanella
04 - song of orpheus
05 - the gypsy
06 - nicola
07 - ola, ola, ola
08 - the little engine
09 - la fajanada
10 - the private ay-ay-ay
11 - tengo una esperancita
12 - never on sunday
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WL1026



jacques denjean and his orchestra
- the tough touch (1964)

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this release on polydor is rather unlike their usual stable and the marketing gives us fair warning that it has an edge. and that it does. jacques denjean comes from a jazz background, and this shines through on what is a sterling lp in the vein of peter gunn, jimmy smith, the man from u.n.c.l.e. and even a touch of surf rock. the tracks vary in feel, and there's even one ("le train fou") with heavy female groans for those inclined toward the b-grade soundtrack sound. two of the tracks ("la route" and "dans le vent") were written and selected as theme tunes for "the most popular radio programmes in france." :)
a rare and unique release, thanks to charl for lending this one to my turntable for a spin.
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01 - la route
02 - dream baby
03 - sally go round the roses
04 - watermelon man
05 - vol 847
06 - it's my party
07 - blue horizon
08 - le train fou
09 - dans le vent
10 - nord 2000
11 - en suivant notre amour
12 - mistral 20h30
13 - dans le nuit
14 - mickey's monkey
15 - don't bother me no more
16 - be my baby
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Polydor HI-FI 46 450



cortez / alan tew / chaquito
- non stop latin party (1969)

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i'm not really one for samplers, but this one is limited to three artists and great ones at that. “cortez and his new latin” have an exciting bass-driven sound - i only have one release of theirs, from which these tracks are drawn, so friends, if you're enchanted by him, download the full album for more magic. then there are three tracks by "the alan tew latin sound," great stuff as well. these tracks are from 1969 according to the lp label. finally the rest is covered by our much loved chaquito aka john gregory. side a is the more raucous of the two, while b lends itself to closer more intimate non stop dancing :).
the tracks on this album are not mixed, dispite the "non stop" claim. they follow one another fast enough though to keep those feet bopping ;).
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01 - aquarius - cortez and his new latin
02 - standing on the corner - cortez and his new latin
03 - hey there - cortez and his new latin
04 - mexicana - chaquito and the quedo brass
05 - walk in the black forest - chaquito and the quedo brass
06 - plaisir d'amour - chaquito and the quedo brass
07 - milord - chaquito and the quedo brass
08 - georgy girl - the alan tew latin sound
09 - the troubleshooters (mogul theme) - the alan tew latin sound
10 - i'll never find another you - the alan tew latin sound
11 - poor butterfly (the big show of 1916) - chaquito
12 - tangerine - chaquito
13 - dancing in the dark - chaquito
14 - green eyes (aquellos ojos verdes) - chaquito
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PHILIPS 6382 032