......detour...

paul mauriat- the soul of paul mauriat (1969)

2010-11-20T10:36:00.000-08:00

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number two of my late sixties trio is paul mauriat's soul record. i found a sealed copy :), and it's always so much fun opening it up just like it's 1969 all over again. the cover is made of deluxe textured cardboard which is just wonderful. as an lp, this one is a must for all fans who have not heard it. there are several killer covers, including a sitar version of "keep me hangin' on." my fellow easy lover over at spiral has posted it before, but i just had to rip something i didn't even have to clean :). check out more excellent goodies over at his blog. coming up, a rare lefevre 60s moment...

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01 - i'm gonna make you love me

02 - i never loved a man

03 - i've been loving you too long

04 - you keep me hangin' on

05 - it's a man's world

06 - when a man loves a woman

07 - respect

08 - i heard it through the grapevine

09 - in the midnight hour

10 - my girl

11 - love child

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Phillips STEREO PHS-600-299

download the_soul_of_paul_mauriat.rar

nelson riddle- the riddle of today (1969)

2010-11-16T10:15:00.000-08:00

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here is the first of three late sixties pop lps i'm planning to post, and this one by nelson riddle is just quirky enough to keep me happy. lovely arrangements - often sounds like tv themes (duh.) love 'sunshine superman.' for those who haven't heard his early seventies work with the 101 strings - you must find that!

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01 - hurt so bad

02 - sunshine superman

03 - don't sleep in the subway

04 - goin' out of my head

05 - hey, girl

06 - up, up and away

07 - theme from 'tarzan'

08 - the smothers brothers' theme

09 - cortege

10 - chestnut trees

11 - amy's theme

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..........

LIBERTY RECORDS LST-7532

download nelson_riddle_the_riddle_of_today.rar

various artists - black sand, white stars (2010)

2010-11-05T12:26:00.000-07:00

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i finally made a compilation. i know, it's about time. thought i'd start with some tracks closest to my heart. lush, seventies string lounge. sometimes brooding, sometimes melancholic, moving and dramatic. give it a listen, and please let me know what you think.

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01 - berto pisano - tema di katerina

02 - astor piazzolla - libertango

03 - roberto delgado - house of the rising sun

04 - paul mauriat - lui

05 - roger webb - summer green, autumn gold

06 - nelson riddle - lamento

07 - the simon park orchestra - dawn to dusk

08 - franck pourcel - jesahel

09 - pierre bachelet - o' comme histoire d'o

10 - john barry - who will buy my yesterdays

11 - roger webb - tubular bells

12 - ennio morricone - giu la testa

13 - bobby hutcherson - the thrill is gone

14 - berto pisano - la grande bouffe

15 - the 18th century corporation - do you know the way to san jose

16 - michel legrand - theme from the go-between

17 - riz ortolani - why (cosi dolce, cosi perversa)

18 - the night strings - black sand and white stars

19 - hugo montenegro - brother love's traveling salvation show

20 - the peter thomas sound orchestra - eloise

21 - raymond lefevre - comme j'ai toujours envie d'aimer

22 - lalo schiffrin - bossa antique

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..........

a detour compilation

download large cover pic

download black_sand_white_stars_2010.rar

download track 02 only
(for those who downloaded the previous version of the comp with problem)

mandingo- tiger in the night (comp, 1978)

2010-10-23T02:40:00.000-07:00

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"the music of mandingo" aka "tiger in the night" is a compilation of mandingo tunes pulled from four of his albums. somebody can maybe confirm - i think geoff love only released four lps under the monniker mandingo - "sacrifice" in '73 another in '73, '74 and then in '77. listening to the '73 stuff again i could not believe how progressive it was. jungle funk exotica aside - this is serious disco in the making, and for '73 that's quite something. i also love how everyone in the uk scene wrote tracks for him - roger webb (one of my all-time favourites,) brian fahey, alyn ainsworth etc. quite a supergroup. this compilation contains a great selection of some of mandingo's finest moments, and they are darn impressive. crazy congas, funk, guitar and orchestra. nothing quite like it. the cover of this one says "if you want to discover your roots... live to... dance to... listen to... the music of mandingo the pulsating rhythm of life."

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01 - black rite

02 - jungle juice

03 - war dance

04 - sacrifice

05 - kiss of death

06 - uomo

07 - the man from takoradi

08 - chant of the virgins

09 - manhunter

10 - tiger in the night

11 - sacrifice to the sun

12 - jungle wedding

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..........

MFP 50428

download mandingo_tiger_in_the_night.rar

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

2010-10-22T01:12:00.000-07:00

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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

download film_studio_orchestra_suspense_themes.rar

the stan butcher orchestra- big band blow out (1970)

2010-10-19T11:27:00.000-07:00

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what a fantastic record! big band action for 1970, complete with wordless vocals, vibes, and the ocasional bossa-nova. highly recommended. this one rocks the party swing, latin, every which way.

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01 - blow out

02 - ginya

03 - apple honey

04 - quietly flows the don

05 - jumping at the woodside

06 - sounds of mars

07 - anvil chorus

08 - janie

09 - little brown jug

10 - opus one

11 - big mike

12 - caravan

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fontana SFL 13206

download stan_butcher_big_band_blow_out.rar

alfred hause and his orchestra- tango notturno (1963)

2010-10-18T11:14:00.000-07:00

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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

download alfred_hause_tango_notturno.rar

roberto delgado- tanz in der taverne (1964)

2010-10-17T09:11:00.000-07:00

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and finally what we've all wanted (just kidding ;),) a collection of drinking songs. oi. thankfully this rare delgado (and one can venture a guess why) has an odd argentine flavour as if horst just could not help himself (our hero's flights of fancy.) not bad to listen to, but not my favourite delgado either. one for the hardcore fans. thanks to charl for this rarity.

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01 - anna

02 - santa lucia

03 - oh, marie

04 - luna rossa

05 - o cara mamma mia

06 - papaveri

07 - bella bimba

08 - vergiss mein nicht

09 - vieni vieni

10 - non dimenticar

11 - arrivederci roma

12 - roma

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..........

Polydor LPHM 46848

download roberto_delgado_tanz_in_der_taverne.rar

werner muller and his orchestra- sentimental journey (1976)

2010-10-16T11:56:00.000-07:00

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speaking of wordless vocals :). this time a werner muller album - a lush seventies retake of swingtime classics, great production, wordless lady vocals, some guitar, flute, harp and xylophone. a really wonderful ambient lp by a great arranger.

"begin the beguine" is a great version of the cole porter classic, satin doll has the most perky vocals to be found outside of a toothpaste ad... and yet the lp remains cohesive and a winner all-round.

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01 - i'm in the mood for love

02 - i've got my love to keep me warm

03 - moonlight serenade

04 - at last

05 - mood indigo

06 - begin the beguine

07 - marie

08 - song of india

09 - satin doll

10 - sentimental journey

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PFS 4383

download werner_muller_sentimental_journey.rar

andre popp- if you go away (1972)

2010-10-16T00:30:00.000-07:00

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for those not familiar with andre popp, he is the french composer responsible for writing the mega-hit "love is blue," which later became a signature tune for paul mauriat and a much covered favourite of all instrumentalists for years to come. on this release, in 1972, we still find some of the undeniable optimism and playful melody of "love is blue," but the production is clearly more 70s, and throughout the album he has used some wonderful wordless vocals by a certain "geraldine" which reminds me of morricone soundtracks of that time.

my favourites include the more mournful closing track "tombe la neige" and the very morricone "ne me quitte pas (if you go away)."

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01 - de pantin a pekin

02 - plaisir d'amour

03 - love maestro please

04 - tout tout pour ma cherie

05 - ne me quitte pas (if you go away)

06 - wakadi wakadou

07 - un jour l'amour

08 - les feuilles mortes (autumn leaves)

09 - tzeinerlin' (years may come years may go)

10 - du soleil au coeur

11 - a paris dans chaque faubourg

12 - tombe la neige

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2383 142 SUPER

download andre_popp_if_you_go_away.rar

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

2010-10-13T11:39:00.000-07:00

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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

download werner_muller_mystic_portrait.rar

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

2010-10-09T23:25:00.000-07:00

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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

download non_stop_latin_party.rar

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

2010-10-09T04:28:00.000-07:00

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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

download jacques_denjean_the_tough_touch.rar

the groovin' strings and things - st (1969)

2010-10-06T10:29:00.000-07:00

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this lovely lp has more than just a beautiful cover. as soon as i spotted it in charl's shelves i remembered what a winner it was, and i was glad to not be disappointed. almost all the tracks have a strong sixties feel, that waterloo sunset-esque shuffle beat, with tambourine and what sounds like an electric harpsichord but could be a moog.

i'm really enjoy the optimism and raucus party vibe - fuzz guitar, strings, organ. keep on groovin.

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01 - walk away renee

02 - she's a rainbow

03 - you

04 - theme for the young'uns

05 - sounds of silence

06 - the fool on the hill

07 - dock of the bay

08 - explosion in my soul

09 - can't find the time

10 - tara's theme

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ES 4047

download the_groovin_strings_and_things.rar

the ray miranda orchestra - latin ole! (1969)

2010-10-05T13:17:00.000-07:00

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while we're doing latin, here's one that i came across in charl's collection on saturday that really takes me back to '97. it's a perky well-produced piano-driven collection of songs that i played quite a bit way back when we each had a couple of crates of records instead of overwhelming collections :). let me know if you like it. i used to play ray's version of "patricia" at a club called the piano lounge, if i remember correctly (through the gin haze.)

rio is also a lively number :).

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01 - wheels

02 - rio

03 - the wedding samba

04 - mambo jambo

05 - latin party

06 - anna

07 - tico tico

08 - tea for two

09 - cherry pink and apple blossom white

10 - melodie d'amour

11 - patricia

12 - boys and girls like saturday night

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SML 719

download the_ray_miranda_orchestra_latin_ole.rar

chaquito and his orchestra - latin favourites (1960)

2010-10-05T10:52:00.000-07:00

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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

download chaquito_latin_favourites.rar

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

2010-10-02T09:28:00.000-07:00

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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

download mike_hankinson_south_african_safari.rar

werner muller and his orchestra - holiday in new york (1956)

2010-09-27T12:19:00.000-07:00

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got this one from my friend waldo, which made me the happiest camper on broadway :). another perky frivolous excursion in the werner muller "holiday..." series, this one does spend some time on broadway, but like the others tends to wander into other more exotic neighborhoods. in general, this is a record for spring and for those of us on ridiculously high dosages of anti-depressants.

lots of waltzes and swirling flutes abound, but there's also a swagger of brooklyn style crime jazz to keep the blood pumping. the recording is a little crackly, but it being a rare one, i've opted to post it anyway.

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01 - give my regards to broadway

02 - penthouse serenade

03 - forty-five minutes from broadway

04 - rose of washington square

05 - manhattan

06 - lullaby of broadway

07 - manhattan serenade

08 - the streets of new york

09 - forty-second street

10 - autumn in new york

11 - underneath the harlem moon

12 - the sidewalks of new york

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polydor 46 007 LPHM

download werner_muller_holiday_in_new_york.rar

dominic frontiere and his orchestra - pagan festival (1959)

2010-09-25T04:44:00.000-07:00

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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

download dominic_frontiere_pagan_festival.rar

john pigneguy - dreamsville (1977)

2009-12-06T10:38:00.000-08:00

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this is seventies heaven. if ever you were to not judge a book/lp by its cover this would be that time. this is the coolest laid back seventies orchestral funk that i have heard in ages. it really has a dreamy feel - the fender rhodes keyboard is just perfect, and the guitar and horn section with strings are arranged brilliantly.

how dodgy is the cover? geez...

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01 - watch what happens

02 - eleanor rigby

03 - goodbye to love

04 - cinnamon and clove

05 - stardust

06 - shades

07 - dreamsville

08 - here's that rainy day

09 - the odd couple

10 - if

11 - l'il darlin'

12 - alone again (naturally)

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BBC REC 275

download john_pigneguy_horns_dreamsville.rar

(now click-free :))

raymond lefevre - this is raymond lefevre (1972)

2009-12-05T11:53:00.000-08:00

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i won't spend any time praising monsieur lefevre, as i have done that in the preceding albums i've posted. this double lp release is from 1972, right in the middle of that wonderfully lush and sometimes murky wall-of-sound production that on melacholic seventies tracks can leave me simply breathless.

the vinyl was mostly mint and as such is here mostly raw and untreated. i imagine lefevre fans will be as excited about this as i am. enjoy.

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record one:

1-01 - adagio cardinal

1-02 - macarthur park

1-03 - chimene

1-04 - just like you

1-05 - the winter will be long

1-06 - if you sing about that

1-07 - andante maggiore

1-08 - once upon a time in the west

1-09 - a time for us

1-10 - how i love you

1-11 - all my life, all my love

1-12 - vivo cantado

record two:

2-01 - hey jude

2-02 - which spring will you be my sweetheart

2-03 - je t'aime, moi non plus

2-04 - waterloo road

2-05 - in the year 2525

2-06 - this is more

2-07 - sleep safe and warm

2-08 - those were the days

2-09 - go my love

2-10 - to be sincere

2-11 - les bicyclettes de belsize

2-12 - irresistible

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Barklay DPS 2029

download this_is_raymond_lefevre_lp1.rar

download this_is_raymond_lefevre_lp2.rar

pete moore - lively and latin (1972)

2009-11-28T09:27:00.000-08:00

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this is one fantastic record. i've been lusting after pete moore records ever since i first heard 'catwalk' on the karminski inflight comp, and i'm not sure if all his stuff is as fine as this release, but oh my, it's wickedly good. 'ye me le' is a compilation winner, but every track on this lp has a magic and a verve i'm impressed and enchanted with.

happy listening latin lovers.

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01 - ma que nada

02 - in old lisbon

03 - ye me le

04 - sweet water

05 - carnival from black orpheus

06 - montego bay

07 - giovanna

08 - my sweet lord

09 - for what it's worth

10 - chiba do brazil

11 - air on a g string

12 - hawaii five-o

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REDIFFUSION ZS 112

download pete_moore_lively_and_latin.rar

carlos romanos sounds latin - viva la samba! (1972)

2009-11-27T07:28:00.000-08:00

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this cool collection of latin sounds from a guy called carlos romanos is released on spiral records and has a distinctly british feel in the production - very stylish. their version of 'one mint julep' is outstanding as is 'blue bossa nova' and 'el cumbanchero.'

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01 - one mint julep

02 - la cucaracha

03 - viva la samba

04 - the look of love

05 - carioca

06 - blue bossa nova

07 - con fuego

08 - brazil

09 - calypso boy

10 - a man without love

11 - que bonito

12 - el cumbanchero

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Spiral DIL 200

download carlos_romanos_viva_la_samba.rar

ricardo santos - holiday in france (1956)

2009-11-26T08:56:00.000-08:00

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i was so excited when i found this record, and especially since it was in mint condition. ricardo santos is, for those who don't know, one of werner muller's earlier pseudonyms often used on european print records and lps with an exotic twist. this lp may in fact pre-date it's sister volumes, my all-time favourite 'cherry blossom time in japan' and 'holiday in italy.' i dated it from an entry in a journal stating that ricardo santos recorded 'holiday in france' in late 1955. anyone who has more reliable info please speak up.

i just LOVE the music. early werner muller is just so sprightly. this one is more traditional than 'italy' and 'japan' but the arrangements are so inventive and the instrumentation so crisp that i feel invigorated, fresh, and tickled by the lovely mix of french and often simply otherworldy orchestral scenes. maybe i'm biased :). anyway, s'il vous plait...

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01 - bolero

02 - pigalle

03 - les feuilles mortes

04 - la petite valse

05 - parlez-moi d'amour

06 - la seine

07 - je suis seul ce soir

08 - domino

09 - la vie en rose

10 - sous les toits de paris

11 - symphony

12 - j'attendrai

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Polydor 46009 LPHM

download ricardo_santos_holiday_in_france.rar

noel trevlac - captivation (1967)

2009-11-25T04:13:00.000-08:00

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there are some pretty hot tracks on this studio2stereo release by a guy that seems to have some notoriety in the community - the part i like best are the tracks that have slick crisp production and there seems to be this one session drummer that really sets things on fire... i.e. 'and then again,' 'puppet on a string' and 'music to watch girls by.' in general though the lp disappoints. perhaps noel caught his groove in the lps that followed?

i'm busy ripping ricardo santos aka werner muller's 'holiday in france' circa 195x and i'm loving it! i'm such a nerd :).

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01 - music to watch girls by

02 - somethin' stupid

03 - happy hamster

04 - (i left my heart) in san francisco

05 - green green grass of home

06 - puppet on a string

07 - now and then

08 - release me

09 - almost there

10 - and then again

11 - sunny

12 - odd ball

13 - mellow yellow

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..........

STUDIO2STEREO TWO186

download noel_trevlac_captivation.rar

axel stordahl - melodies d'orient (1960)

2009-11-15T12:00:00.000-08:00

....................

melodies d'orient aka jasmine and jade (first released in the usa on dot records) is axel stordahl's eastern exotica outting and a wonderful one it is. i'm of course a complete sucker for all things middle eastern or japanese so much of the mood here is right up my alley. unlike axel's mediterranean holiday, this one is decidedly exotica with just a moment or two of jazz breaking through. it's a fabulous lp. thanks mr. stordahl.

the ugly sound at the start of track 12 is record surface damage unfortunately. just keep a wooden spoon handy and then bite on it, don't worry, it's all over quickly :). decided against the hiss remover cause i don't like the trade-off in detail loss. i'm happy to provide raw audio on request. this is a mono version. happy listening.

....................

01 - moonlight on the ganges

02 - baubles, bangles and beads

03 - the moon over manakoora

04 - japanese sandman

05 - neiani

06 - caravan

07 - jasmine and jade

08 - bali ha'i

09 - on a little street in singapore

10 - flamingo

11 - pagan love song

12 - lotus land

....................

..........

MODE disques MDD 9389

download axel_stordahl_melodies_d_orient.rar

ray mcvay and his orchestra - showcase (1969)

2009-11-15T01:39:00.000-08:00

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i first heard ray mcvay on 'inflight entertainment' way back when, and that crisp super stylish arrangement and orchestration was unforgettable. on this release he does not disappoint: the tracks are all excellent, apart from the drab opener 'gentle on my ming.' (though in retrospect it does have a redeeming shuffle beat) skip that one and move onto the real ray mcvay. modern, crisp and stylish - that's how i relate to this set.

'mexican scavenger' (a great track, though oddly named) and 'lonely mexican' are both ray originals.

....................

01 - gentle on my mind

02 - light my fire

03 - galveston

04 - time is tight

05 - mexican scavenger

06 - mission impossible

07 - aquarius

08 - this girl's in love with you

09 - my way

10 - oh happy day

11 - lonely mexican

12 - department s

....................

..........

Mercury LPS 16502

download ray_mcvay_showcase.rar

the robert james orchestra - take a break (1972)

2009-11-14T13:38:00.000-08:00

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this studio 2 stereo release is a collection of themes from tv commercials covering everything from coca-cola to cadbury's, and it includes some vocal tracks, but is mostly instrumental. the cadbury's milk chocolate track (track 11) is an absolute killer number - should've been grabbed for a compilation by now. all-in-all an exciting and varied excursion into the early seventies world of tv happy happy land.

who knew that shredded wheat could be as romantic as track ten? I could fall in love over a bowl of it...

....................

01 - cadbury drinking chocolate - come into the warm

02 - martini - the right one

03 - nimble - i can't let maggie go

04 - sunsilk - the girl with the sun in her hair

05 - esso blue - smoke gets in your eyes

06 - coca-cola - i'd like to teach the world to sing

07 - hamlet - air on a g string

08 - rolo - camp

09 - texaco - morning of my life

10 - shredded wheat - two men in my life

11 - cadbury's dairy milk - isn't it nice to know

....................

..........

STUDIO 2 STEREO TWO 382

download robert_james_take_a_break.rar

simon park - venus fly trap (1975)

2009-11-13T13:41:00.000-08:00

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this second moog orchestral outing by simon park really hits the mark. he seems to have found a place of ease where the electronics, orchestra and slide guitar contrast and blend beautifully. i am totally besotted over this album :). as in deeply in love.

'lay lady lay' is playing right now (and it's awesome) but all the tracks are killer - park wrote 'venus fly trap,' 'soul sarabande,' '5.56 boogie' and 'tides.' 'oh, you pretty things' is a bowie cover and interestingly enough 'remember when' is written by webb...is that fellow label mate roger webb?

....................

01 - venus fly trap

02 - i can't stand the rain

03 - this town ain't big enough for both of us

04 - soul sarabande

05 - 5.56 boogie

06 - tides

07 - lay lady lay

08 - oh, you pretty things

09 - remember when

10 - (there's) always something there to remind me
tracks

....................

..........

EMI Records EMC 3085

download simon_park_venus_fly_trap.rar

lalo schifrin - the cincinnati kid ost (1965)

2009-10-30T11:58:00.000-07:00

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another great record from the box that went missing - this one, a fabulous soundtrack by one of my alltime favourite jazz composers lalo schifrin. he is so brilliant. 'new orleans procession' reminds me of radiohead's 'life in a glass house,' and after a starting with a wonderfully lazy, floundering march it drops into a classic schifrin piano bossa nova and back into march again. there's even this crazy redneck track called 'the cock fight' that has these crazy orchestral breaks dubbed over a frenetic banjo action track. i just love it! and the ray charles vocal theme is great. i keep thinking he must be high, and does he feel like the cincinnati kid? definitely one of my favourite soundtracks.

the record has some surface noise throughout so ocd soundfolk beware.

....................

01 - the cincinnati kid (vocal version)

02 - so many times

03 - new orleans procession

04 - shooter

05 - the man

06 - the cock fight

07 - the cincinnati kid (instrumental version)

08 - melba

09 - dialogue in the rain

10 - the chase

11 - all packed

12 - the game

13 - at the farm

....................

..........

MGM RECORDS E-4313

download cincinnati_ost.rar

larry robbins sportstudio band - conroy library BMLP 093 (1972)

2009-10-27T14:47:00.000-07:00

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i'm not a big library record fan, but many years ago my friends and i stumbled on a cache of kpm, bosworth, and some other assorted library lps at the top of long street in cape town. most of those i shed along the way, but i held onto the special ones, the ones that i had bonded with. so this one popped up a fortnight ago in that long lost box of records and i saw a request for it at the library fanatics site, so i thought what the heck. it is an excellent record with lots of killer stuff. the whole of side b was written by n. candler. they always tell you what type of beat a track is i.e. 'shuffle beat' or 'pop beat' or 'happy can can.' the crazy moog workout at the end of side b is apparently 'free form.' :)

i always LOVE the titles on library records - side a is excellent. i mean, 'fight in the night,' 'are you fit' and my personal porno-esque favourite, 'hard training.'

....................

01 - sport fanfares

02 - tour d'europe

03 - fight in the night

04 - are you fit

05 - hard training

06 - race crew

07 - monocle race

08 - expansion

09 - colloquium

10 - are you free

11 - kontrast

12 - mystery

....................

..........

CONROY RECORDED MUSIC LIBRARY BMLP 093

download larry_robbins_sportstudio_band_BMLP_093.rar

martin böttcher - portrait in musik 2 (1974)

2009-10-25T10:57:00.000-07:00

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this double lp of martin böttcher material is all written by him for tv and film - it is a marvellous compilation on telefunken records. the production is all lush and seventies, and the quality of the tracks is excellent (give or take a couple of library tracks.) it moves from crime jazz, to romance, to valium library bossas, to mind-bendingly brilliant tracks - try track 2-02, a nostalgic number with background whispering vocal (just my sound.)

for this lp i just had to include the inner gatefold pages. the first is a collage of the tv and film from which the material comes and the second includes a photo of martin wind surfing (it is a portrait after all :).)

....................

record one:

1-01 - tausender-melodie

1-02 - einsam

1-03 - lilli's melody

1-04 - todesmelodie

1-05 - judy

1-06 - kriminalmuseum

1-07 - sonderdezernat k i

1-08 - kara ben nemsi effendi

1-09 - wenn du da bist

1-10 - salute sardegna

1-11 - liebesthema

1-12 - easy going

record two:

2-01 - happy teddy

2-02 - stranger's serenade

2-03 - fiesta in belo horizonte

2-04 - marianne's melody

2-05 - examination

2-06 - ski for you

2-07 - blue moon and love letters

2-08 - ich schlafe mit meinem morder

2-09 - willi's walk

2-10 - segeln

2-11 - one, two, three

2-12 - der reigen (la ronde)

....................

..........

TELEFUNKEN TS 3244/1-2

download martin_bottcher_portrait_in_musik_2_lp1.rar

download martin_bottcher_portrait_in_musik_2_lp2.rar

george barnes - guitars galore (1961)

2009-10-24T10:01:00.000-07:00

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this one's for oracle and the gang collecting the PPS releases here ->
portal-of-groove-pps.
i found it in the box of records i misplaced in a cupboard at my parents house about ten years back, which suddenly resurfaced last week to my surprise and joy. george barnes is apparently a country jazz guitarist (go figure?) but all i can say is this lp is infectuous foot-tapping hip-shaking material. i just gotta boogy, even while i sit here in my chair in front of my pc i'm just bouncing. besides all the galorious guitars, there's lots of cool vibraphone and xylophone (both which i love) played by eddie costa, clark terry on trumpet and fluegelhorn, berni leighton on piano, jack lesberg on string bass, hank d'amico on clarinet and al cohn on sax. phew.

for those interested, pictures of george on the back cover depict him in a smart black suit with his beautiful guitars, smiling, talking, and there's and ashtray nearby because it was the early sixties :)..

....................

01 - singing in the rain

02 - have you met miss jones

03 - jeepers creepers

04 - runnin' wild

05 - indiana (back home again in indiana)

06 - guitars galore

07 - liza (all the clouds'll roll away)

08 - sugar (that sugar baby of mine)

09 - waitin' at the end of the road

10 - too marvelous for words

11 - should i?

12 - pickin' plenty

....................

..........

Mercury PPS 6020-5

download george_barnes_guitars_galore.rar

simon park - something in the air (1974)

2009-10-22T11:51:00.000-07:00

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this recording is something else... it's going to be very difficult to describe it, but i'll give it a try, and i must start by saying that it is an incredible feat. simon park, the guy behind the van der valk 'eye level' them tune, recorded this at the emi studios on abbey road and central hall at westminster, and the palette of sound includes a full orchestra, guitars / steel guitar, harp, keyboards, moog, the westminster organ, and a choir. i was so bewildered by the funk orchestral opus that resulted when i first heard it, that i was disappointed, having hoped for a simpler orchestral followup to the 'eye level' lp. but the truth is this is simon park at his best. the orchestration is incredible - a studio2stereo sound but funked up along the lines of mandingo with moog all over the place. the only issue some listeners may face is dealing with the westminster organ in the composition of one or two tracks. after a couple of listens i learnt to love it. it's all part of the crazy creation of mr. park.

my favourite tracks include the killer covers of 'i am the walrus' and 'honky tonk women' and the park original 'sunbird.' for those who like this and want more moog plus orchestra and have not tried mandingo, go for it!

....................

01 - funeral for a friend

02 - he's misstra know it all

03 - i am the walrus

04 - cowboy

05 - 7.48 stomp

06 - something in the air

07 - palamino

08 - the first time i ever saw your face

09 - sunbird

10 - honky tonk women

....................

..........

EMI EMC 3059

download simon_park_something_in_the_air.rar

the paul mauriat orchestra - stereo spectacular (1973)

2009-10-22T02:05:00.000-07:00

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my parents were recently clearing out their house in preparation for a move and found a box of records which, as it turns out, belongs to me. i remember every now and then looking for something and not finding it exclaiming to myself "i'm missing records!!" well, they finally made their way home to pappa, and it was so much fun going through the box finding all the long lost items i had forgotton about. anyway, the cover of this mauriat album is ruined because of a friend of mine who smokes too much weed and has no respect for others' property. i was briefly tempted to post his email here and ask you all kindly to send him hate-mail, but alas, i'll continue to carry my lingering resentment instead ;). the lp is a compilation of fantastic tracks!! killer stuff, with the theme being rhythm and bluesy danceable numbers. it's a great record. ok, apart from 'a banda' which is so dull i could cry - whoever suggested that for this company of songs should be shot.

some of the tracks are on other lps already on this blog, but i highly recommend this one as a piece in itself and for the material not covered elsewhere.

....................

01 - black is black

02 - freedom

03 - taka taka ta

04 - reach out (i'll be there)

05 - i say a little prayer

06 - etude in the form of rhythm and blues

07 - lady madonna

08 - puppet on a string

09 - soley soley

10 - freedom come, freedom go

11 - a banda

12 - winchester cathedral

....................

..........

PHILIPS SAMPLER 6830 143

download paul_mauriat_stereo_spectacular.rar

raymond lefevre - raymond lefevre and his orchestra (1967)

2009-10-15T09:35:00.000-07:00

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on first listen i was thinking, out of my three french orchestral heroes (monsieur mauriat, pourcel and lefevre) it was paul mauriat who found the most distinctive and exciting sound in the mid to late sixties. and that is true. lefevre really only comes into his own at the turn of the decade in my opinion, when things got dark, expansive and dramatic. but having relistened to this lp whilst cleaning it i must say i totally underestimated it. the use of guitar, female vocals and piano are unmistakably lefevre. and i feel him in the arrangement of the strings. i'm particularly fond of 'nous ne sortirons qu'au printemps' which makes me feel tres nostalgique.

this lp is a mono pressing, recorded by riviera but released on a london label called 'major minor records.' the music, a real pleasure for me.

stereo version now available at easy listening world.

....................

01 - a whiter shade of pale

02 - ame caline

03 - think of summer (pense a l'ete)

04 - release me

05 - notre roman

06 - puppet on a string

07 - l'important c'est la rose

08 - nous ne sortirons qu'au printemps

09 - quand on revient

10 - groovin'

11 - adios amor

12 - les gens du nord

....................

..........

MAJOR MINOR RECORDS MMLP4

download raymond_lefevre_1967.rar

frank barcley and harry arnold - girls of my dreams (1961)

2009-10-08T12:39:00.000-07:00

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ok i confess, i bought this one for novelty sake! on the flip side the previous owner had circled his favourite tracks in pecil...'emaline,' 'charmaine,' jeannine.' it was all too playfully sordid to resist :). the music itself is surprisingly pleasant - frank barcley plays light tinkling jazz piano over the soothing evening arrangements of harry arnold and orchestra. definitely one for the coctail lounge or late night romancing.

i see it was first released on metronome in 1960, and then my copy on ATCO released it in 1961 (very cheap looking logo - a division of atlantic.)

....................

01 - laura

02 - ramona

03 - dolores

04 - louise

05 - emaline

06 - charmaine

07 - mona lisa

08 - maria elena

09 - linda

10 - jeannine

11 - cecilia

12 - nancy

....................

..........

ATCO 33-127

download barcley_and_arnold_girls_of_my_dreams.rar

werner muller - primavera! (1965)

2009-10-07T04:56:00.000-07:00

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this bizarre german werner muller release has 14 tracks a side, with no breaks in between tracks - and yet it is not re-recorded medleys... these are the original tracks, so it's more of a set really: i guess for dancing, maybe for restaurants or evening parties. some of the transitions are a little sudden, but there are some that are even mixed transitions i.e. the two tracks over lap for a short while. finding the track divisions was a real challenge, so feel free to tell me how i got it wrong, cause i'm sure i did :). how about that cover? he looks a little dodgy, like maybe he's stalking her, or surprised her on her afternoon walk.

happy dancing / eating / loving to this set of werner muller beauties.

....................

01 - serenade in the night

02 - autumn serenade

03 - petite fleur

04 - springtime

05 - tennessee waltz

06 - moonlight and shadows

07 - rokudan

08 - i'll string along with you

09 - memories of you

10 - red dragonfly

11 - calcutta

12 - my blue heaven

13 - stardust

14 - sakura-sakura

15 - sunrise serenade

16 - carry me back to old virginny

17 - sunset

18 - armen's theme

19 - deep purple

20 - flowers

21 - mexicali rose

22 - twilight time

23 - orchids in the moonlight

24 - tea for you

25 - give my regards to broadway

26 - some of these days

27 - akinoirokusa

28 - malguena

....................

..........

Polydor 237 659

download werner_muller_primavera.rar

pete rugolo - 10 saxophones and 2 basses (1961)

2009-10-03T16:56:00.000-07:00

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i would probably not have posted this if not for a request - this one's for oracle and the fantastic job being done to collect all the PPS releases here ->
portal-of-groove-pps.
truth is the sax is my least favourite instrument, and a quick overview listen of this when i first found it for $1 gave me a strong glen miller wartime feel, which for me is a total turnoff. however...having spent some time with it now during the ripping process (and i must add the sound was a little tricky: side b was a little dull and then some) i must confess i actually dig this :). the lineup of session musos is absolutely stellar: shelly manne, howard roberts, red mitchell, jimmy rowles...even a bud shank appearance or two. the track selection is indeed older swing jazz: ellington, stan kenton, dorsey, and some other famous standards. listening to the artful textures of the saxes (that much feared weapon often in the hands of those who wish to do bland oozing evil) i have realized that stan getz is not the only human being who can play the saxophone without being offensive. refreshing arrangements as you might imagine with so many saxes and basses and piano :). there are also two rugolo originals including the weird and wonderful bass only closing track, "2 funky basses."

track 1 and 10 have issues but that's on the pressing, not in the treatment. i think you'll find it acceptable - i do and i'm a quality freak in case you haven't gathered that yet :) happy listening. thanks for the PPS momentum oracle. check the site out - it's a whole world of perfect presence sound.

....................

01 - skyliner

02 - sophisticated lady

03 - how high the moon

04 - saxophobia

05 - holiday for strings

06 - reed rapture

07 - sometimes i'm happy

08 - contrasts

09 - four brothers and early autumn

10 - come back to sorrento

11 - guy meets freddie meets billy

12 - 2 funky basses

....................

..........

PPS 6023-8

download pete_rugolo_10_saxes_and_2_basses.rar

chaquito and the quedo brass - latin witchcraft (1967)

2009-09-30T10:54:00.000-07:00

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packaged as "latin sounds for the small hours," the first lp is chaquito's "latin witchcraft" and the second is alan haven with tony crombie doing "quiet latin nights." i find the latter to be bland and analgesic - the steady hum of an organ is seldom put to good use in my opinion, but i will post this companion lp shortly. the chaquito lp is kick-ass, as always. john gregory and co. are on fire and if it's alan haven's sole purpose to put us to sleep, it's only cause chaquito got us so excited :).

has anyone got latin witchcraft as a solo fontana release? buenas noches mis amigos!

....................

01 - witchcraft

02 - brazil

03 - around the world

04 - tequila

05 - string of pearls

06 - frenesi

07 - birth of the blues

08 - marie

09 - yolanda

10 - body and soul

11 - song of india

12 - chaquito rides again

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..........

fontana 886 442 1Y

download chaquito_latin_witchcraft.rar

les brown and his band of renown - a sign of the times (1966)

2009-09-29T14:31:00.000-07:00

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this fantastic lp comes to us from KL in NYC and i have been loving it! it swings but it's not traditional swing - there's a mod beat sound to it that's infectuous and hip. several of the tracks have a Jobim credit which adds that loungy latin feel. the orchestration is tight and excellently arranged.

this album should be re-released in its entirety. it's that good. thanks KL! great job on the sound.

....................

01 - call me

02 - meditacao

03 - tigertail

04 - i wish you love

05 - corcovado (quiet nights of quiet stars)

06 - reza

07 - strangers in the night

08 - a sign of the times

09 - o barquinho (little boat)

10 - my love

11 - insensatez (how insensitive)

12 - it's not unusual

....................

..........

Decca DL 74768

download les_brown_a_sign_of_the_times.rar

pete rugolo and all that brass - study in stereo (1961)

2009-09-27T09:19:00.000-07:00

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pete rugolo is a man who knows how to swing, and it's big brass on this installment of the mercury "super stereo sound" series. lots of action and beat, and cool arrangements of some standards and redone in killer brass overdrive.

a special item for swing fans and those who like the quincy jones early sixties big band adventures. sound is left untreated (to preserve brass) but is in great shape. thanks to litlgrey for saving me from community humiliation :) with my rugelo (say isn't that a herb?,) and to KL for spotting my "it's big bras on this installment..." is it? happy listening.

....................

01 - four brothers

02 - ten trumpets have i

03 - come back to sorrento

04 - marie

05 - whispering

06 - intermission riff

07 - love is just around the corner

08 - saxophobia

09 - moonglow

10 - chiribiribin

11 - sky liner

12 - carnival of venice

....................

..........

Mercury SML30005

download pete_rugelo_study_in_stereo.rar

jack parnell - braziliana (1977)

2009-09-26T10:45:00.000-07:00

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hello friends :). this lp is out there already but for those who don't know it this is jack parnell, the guy who produced that ultra cool impressive version of lalo schifrin's 'enter the dragon' (and to improve the original is no mean feat by anyone's standards)... well this fantastic album from '77 is high seventies latin glamour with a twist of intrigue and plenty of style for those hot samba nights we all long for from time to time ;).

there are also some bossa vocals on this lp, so be warned all ye vocal-phobic instrumental purists...

....................

01 - tristeza

02 - one note samba

03 - wave

04 - caravan

05 - quiet nights

06 - viramundo

07 - the girl from ipanema

08 - deixa isso pra la

09 - warm breeze

10 - carnival

11 - aquas de marco

12 - brazil

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..........

MFP 50327

download jack_parnell_braziliana.rar

frederick fennel - conducts cole porter (1961)

2009-09-13T03:26:00.000-07:00

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this sparkling release from a man i've never heard of before in a series i've found to be hit-and-miss (but what wonderful covers the f:35d have!) is an absolute gem. there's not a dud track in the bunch. cole porter is for me always wonderful subject matter - i'm going to repeat myself here by bringing up mr. baxter. it's those flutes, harps and drama. like cole porter on the istanbul train at times. maybe it's just me. the rest leans towards 50s percussive orchestra arrangements with piano and all manner of paletted sound.

in any event, please let me know if the marracas and wild orchestrations do it for you like they do it for me :). oh yeah, when i slipped this lp out for the first time, i found its plastic sleeve still sealed - i had to tear the perforated line to get it out...aah.

....................

01 - blow gabriel blow

02 - so in love

03 - it's all right with me

04 - ridin' high

05 - in the still of the nightue

06 - begin the beguine

07 - night and day

08 - my heart belongs to daddy

09 - anything goes

10 - i've got you under my skin

11 - it's delovely

12 - you'd be so nice to come home to

....................

..........

Mercury PPS-6024

download frederick_fennel_conducts_cole_porter.rar

roger bourdin - slightly french (196x)

2009-09-12T16:14:00.000-07:00

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roger bourdin is a flutist, and i suppose that's the common thread here - that, and the cool, laid-back vibe of french pop tunes set to lush (what i think is) early sixties orchestral sounds that include harp, organ, pizzicato strings and something called a bass flute? i love the sound. it's fresh, and that flute/organ combo is one i really enjoy. 'c'est si bon' is a fantastic vocal track ready for a compilation. lots of double bass.

....................

01 - la vie en rose

02 - la mer

03 - un jour tu verras

04 - nuages

05 - c'est si bon

06 - parlez-moi d'amour

07 - sous les ponts de paris

08 - pigalle

09 - ca c'est paris

10 - sous le ciel de paris

11 - avril a paris

....................

..........

Capitol ST 2211

download roger_bourdin_slightly_french.rar

alan moorhouse - and the bond street brigade (1972)

2009-08-31T01:32:00.000-07:00

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who would've thought a march band could be this hip? certainly not i... we actually had to march in my youth like the afrikaner youth league ready to grow up into proud brave fascists. how dull. there are a couple of misses on the lp - notably the opening tracks on each side, but the majority of killer tracks more than compensate. "funky fever" is from a re-release compilation like easy project but the exact one eludes me right now. all-in-all this lp rocks and should not be missed.

....................

01 - the liberty bell

02 - hang 'em high

03 - tea for two

04 - tweedle dee tweedle dum

05 - a whiter shade of pale

06 - funky fever

07 - radetzky march

08 - i did what i did for maria

09 - blues in the night

10 - chirpy chirpy, cheep cheep

11 - drum diddley

12 - yellow river

....................

..........

MFP STEREO 5268

download alan_moorhouse_and_his_bond_street_brigade.rar

david rose - the very thought of you (1974)

2009-08-30T09:02:00.000-07:00

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for those of you who enjoyed the david rose "portrait" post, this is his follow up lp for polydor. on first listen it's not as dark as its predecessor, and for me that's a pity, but it's still a lush and quality recording, with some interesting 70s funk excursions breaking the pervasive mood of warmth and nostalgia that marks this rose release.

"when you're with me," a rose original, is an upbeat modern man-about-town classic and my instant favourite. there's a scratch on the first track that the software cleanup tempered. it's a rare polydor release, so i posted it anyway.

....................

01 - when i fall in love

02 - ain't misbehavin'

03 - when you're with me

04 - the very thought of you

05 - tony's theme

06 - ev'ry time we say goodbye

07 - smoke gets in your eyes

08 - embraceable you

09 - kings road

10 - how high the moon

11 - misty

12 - i've got a crush on you

....................

..........

Polydor 2383 258 SUPER

download david_rose_the_very_thought_of_you.rar

john cacavas - moonstruck (1960)

2009-08-30T05:22:00.000-07:00

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when i googled john cacavas i did not find much, but this lp is one fine gem. my first impressions were of exotica along the lines of les baxter, but a little tamer and more ambient. it has something in common with mancini's "the versatile mancini" in that it works wonderfully as a complete album of relaxation. the cover text reads "bewitching night-music for voices & violins" and this is indeed a very accurate description. throughout the twelve tracks all themed in the moon and stars there are strings with wordless wailing female vocals - haunting and intoxicating.

a great one for late night listening.

....................

01 - moonlight becomes you

02 - the night has a thousand eyes

03 - moonstruck

04 - all through the night

05 - when you wish upon a star

06 - moonlight serenade

07 - nuit d'amour

08 - the night is young and you're so beautiful

09 - touch o' the moon

10 - stars fell on alabama

11 - the other side of the moon

12 - moon madness

....................

..........

Dot DLP 3269

download john_cacavas_moonstruck.rar

raymond lefevre - you don't have to say you love me (1967)

2009-08-30T05:09:00.000-07:00

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warning: sound quality not great.
this one comes to us from my buddy KL from NYC who found it for 99c in a bargain bin and has given it some extended wd-40 treatment. it's not in perfect nick, but 60s lefevre is a rare commodity so i asked him to please send it via the wire for posting.

thanks KL!

....................

01 - you don't have to say you love me

02 - i love

03 - yesterday

04 - love is all around

05 - palmares des chansons

06 - la passionnata

07 - spanish eyes

08 - a little rain is necessary

09 - la boheme

10 - stars of the way

11 - tears come

12 - l'amerique

....................

..........

KAPP KS-3510

download raymond_lefevre_don_t_have_to_say_you_love_me.rar

chaquito - plays themes from tv thrillers (1972)

2009-08-28T13:08:00.000-07:00

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this is my favourite tv themes lp hands down, and as such i just had to post it when this copy made its way to my collection. i'm sure it's out there already (i purposefully didn't check ;),) but i post it as a celebration of the sheer genius behind some of the finest arrangements i have ever heard. i stumbled across these tracks way back in 1997 in a bargain bin on the east rand and seeing "john gregory and his orchestra" and "mission: impossible" with some very cheesy 90s cover of some dynamite i opened the cover and saw that the dates ranged from sixties to mid-seventies. i didn't know who john gregory was but the tracks instantly blew me away.

here then finally, is the one record from which almost all the tracks were lifted. they are all brilliant. john gregory is the master.

....................

01 - hawaii 5-0

02 - the name of the game

03 - it takes a thief

04 - a man called ironside

05 - mission impossible

06 - softly softly

07 - the troubleshooters

08 - i spy

09 - mannix

10 - the untouchables

11 - callan

12 - f.b.i.

....................

..........

PHILIPS 6308087

download chaquito_plays_tv_thrillers.rar

paul mauriat - good bye my love, good bye (1974)

2009-08-07T11:50:00.000-07:00

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i feel like matt and tray from south park when i say that this is probably my favourite paul mauriat album. i bought it from a market near the north station in brussels, it is a spanish pressing, and the reason i held off was for sound issues on track 12. i started listening to it again after some treatment and i had to post it! it's simply marvellous.

favourite tracks include stevie wonder cover (track 03 - "you are the sunshine of my life") and "yesterday once more." the mauriat original (track 10) is very interesting and progressive indeed (how's that bass?) the whole lp is is for me utterly perfect. this is mauriat at his absolute finest, how i love him best.

....................

01 - good bye my love good bye

02 - j'ai un probleme

03 - le soleil de ma vie

04 - the morning after

05 - jeux interdits

06 - la maladie d'amour

07 - vado via

08 - sonia

09 - yesterday once more

10 - petit oiseau mecanique

11 - say as anybody seen my sweet gypsy rose

12 - tout donne, tout repris

....................

..........

PHILIPS 6325 070

download paul_mauriat_goodbye_my_love.rar

michel legrand - big band plays richard rodgers (1962)

2009-07-30T13:23:00.000-07:00

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what a fantastic legrand lp - the first comparison that came to mind was quincy jones' "big band bossa nova." it's got that swing, swagger, and raucus playfulness. some surface noise still in tact as i could not run cleanup on brass.

this is the mono version.

....................

01 - falling in love with love

02 - people will say we're in love

03 - bali hai

04 - have you met miss jones

05 - it might as well be spring

06 - this can't be love

07 - some enchanted evening

08 - there's a small hotel

09 - getting to know you

10 - my funny valentine

11 - the lady is a tramp

....................

..........

PHILIPS PHM 200-074

download michel_legrand_plays_richard_rodgers.rar

peter thomas - peter thomas presents (1968)

2009-07-27T14:40:00.000-07:00

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i love peter thomas. not so much "space patrol" or some of the compilations out there, but his polydor pop albums flip my lid. someone asked me to verify on my previous peter thomas post that i got the speed of the lp right, cause the vocals sound like childrens' voices...:) here we have a liberal does of organ, moog and assorted craziness to set adrift even the most openminded of middle-aged easy listening fans of the sixties. i only wish i had more of these! i've been holding off on this one because of quality issues but after giving it a go with KL's secret treatment i thought it's time to share.

"cadenza" and "valleri" are my favourites but the whole thing rocks in the strangest of ways :).

....................

01 - delilah

02 - bonnie and clyde

03 - lady madonna

04 - cadenza

05 - something stupid

06 - cabaret

07 - rice is nice

08 - love is blue

09 - valleri

10 - any spanish how

11 - cindarella rockefella

12 - words

....................

..........

Polydor SLPHM 184141

download peter_thomas_presents_1968.rar

reader's digest various artists - love is blue (1969)

2009-07-26T13:06:00.000-07:00

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i've been meaning to distill this box set down to its best tracks for quite some time now, as they are killer tracks. do not be fooled by the quiet generic exterior...the artists grouped together to bring us these difinitive instrumental versions of sixties hits are creative forces to be reckoned with. the perry botkin jr tracks included here made me a fan instantly, as with the others...

i challenge you all to come up with better versions of "eleanor rigby" and "mr. tambourine man." "eleanor rigby" ends like the best bond theme tune never released :), and "mr. tambourine man" is simply off-the-wall! there are quality issues i may be able to resolve so i'll return to this in a day or two once i've visited the hardware store (thanks KL) ;).

....................

01 - love is blue - johnny gibbs

02 - somebody to love - les reed

03 - cast your fate to the wind - pete king

04 - eleanor rigby - perry botkin jr

05 - waterloo sunset - norman percival

06 - classical gas - johnny harris

07 - there's a kind of hush - perry botkin jr

08 - groovin' - hank levine and the new classic singers

09 - land of a 1000 dances - norman percival

10 - mr. tambourine man - johnny harris

11 - to sir with love - norman percival

12 - for what it's worth - perry botkin jr

13 - don't sleep in the subway - norman percival

14 - ode to billy joe - perry botkin jr

15 - cherry, cherry - billy may

16 - feelin' groovy - hank levine and the new classic singers

17 - call me - norman percival

18 - wonderful world - perry botkin jr

....................

..........

RCA CUSTOM

download readers_digest_love_is_blue.rar

perry botkin jr - great themes from jean harlow films (1966)

2009-07-25T12:25:00.000-07:00

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i would probably have left this lp behind had it not been for the credit that perry botkin jr wrote several of the tracks and conducted the orchestra performing these selections. strictly speaking it's not an lp by him, but frankly it's a little vague exactly who's it is... i had no idea who jean harlow was, and the picture of her flirting with a dashing soldier in wartime uniform alerted me to the fact that these films went way back...not always a good thing. but it's a great lp! there are a couple of bossa novas, and several dreamy ballads perfect for romance, and of great pleasure to me, perry botkin jr has left his sparkle on a majority of the tracks.

i first heard of perry botkin jr on the generic looking "love is blue" readers digest box set of instrumental 60s hits (4 lps) where he shared the stage with johnny gibbs, billy may, nelson riddle, pete king, les reed and norman percival. he does the most incredible version of "there's a kind of hush." i am going to make a best of that box set shortly. it's a classic box set that one...

....................

01 - saratoga

02 - china seas

03 - don't blame me

04 - thank you for a lovely evening

05 - reckless

06 - jean's theme

07 - little blonde bombshell

08 - gone

09 - hold your man

10 - i've had my moments

11 - did i remember

12 - a hundred years from today

....................

..........

World Artists WAM-2007

download perry_botkin_jr_jean_harlow_films.rar

andré previn and david rose - like blue (1959)

2009-07-25T07:50:00.000-07:00

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like blue is a late night piano jazz record, one of my favourites for the early hours and days when i wish i still drank whiskey and still smoked cigarettes :). it's a wonderful match... david rose and andré previn, not whiskey and cigarettes ;), as the tinkering jazz piano of previn falls so smoothly into the backdrop of the easy strings of david rose. the theme in this lp is the blues, and there is another release from them in 1959 called "secret songs for young lovers" that i'll be posting soon. the latter is a more accessible easy listening release, and contains the famous previn penned track "like young" (a companion for "like blue.")

how cool is this cover? what is quite surprising is that the south african pressing had the exact same cover, even though it was the heyday of apartheid and believe it or not the state actually went to the trouble of sometimes replacing record covers containing african models with generic alternatives containing white models. can you believe it...? my friend waldo is planning a mini exhibition of sorts. sometimes they did it with famous artists too.

....................

01 - you and the blues

02 - the blue room

03 - serenade in blue

04 - blue holiday

05 - blue again

06 - (what did i do to be so) black and blue

07 - like blue

08 - little girl blue

09 - between the devil and the deep blue sea

10 - the blue subterranean (why are we afraid)

11 - blue, turning grey over you

12 - born to be blue

....................

..........

MGM E3811

download andre_previn_david_rose_like_blue.rar

axel stordahl - the lure of the blue mediterranean (1959)

2009-07-20T10:21:00.000-07:00

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this absolute gem of a record i found with a companion lp, another by axel stordahl called "the magic islands revisted." i thought i'd start with this one, for it's unique flavour of the meditteranean. the packaging is marvellous: the psychedelic blue natural rock bridge of the cover is a thick cardboard overlay, and the picture of the tourist couple and the bay below is in fact the front page of an 11-page full colour insert. this comprises a travelogue written by a horace sutton, and wonderful photographs of various attractions in the med, including a gatefold panorama shot of what looks like a bay in the italian riviera, and amongst others an enticing picture of some beach-goers with the caption "...any costume beyond a watchband or eyeglasses is considered superfluous."

the music is varied, and i love the the energy and mood of this lp. "cyprus" is a highlight amongst the more thrilling tracks, but the lp works beautifully as a whole.

just found "the magic islands revisited" already at vinyl lounge hut.
go get 'em guys...

....................

01 - majorca isle of love

02 - isle of capri

03 - tunis: ports of call

04 - cyprus

05 - red sails in the sunset

06 - haifa

07 - autumn in rome

08 - misirlou

09 - palermo: ports of call

10 - off shore

11 - riviera pavanne

12 - a night in tunisia

....................

..........

DECCA DL 79073

download axel_stordahl_lure_of_the_blue.rar

hugo peretti - and so to sleep (1959)

2009-07-11T11:01:00.000-07:00

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warning: sound quality ok for 1959 :).
so... harry revel is something of a legend when it comes to experimental music, but this lp is anything but experimental. if anything, this is harry revel tamed for mama and papa's living room, circa 1959 :). when i first tested the lp (you know, sampling bits here and there) i thought mmm, standard 50s, a bit dull but noteworthy at least for it's material, but i must confess that whilst ripping it i have become quite intoxicated by the swirling flutes, harp and odd sleepiness (yes, indeed) of the melodies harry revel composed. i've never been exposed to any of his stuff before, but i must say i love these songs. i will have to investigate mr. revel further!

my immediate favourite is "hypnosis" and in terms of titles "smoke another cigarette" wins hands down! :). and in case any of you were wondering, june winters sings on "voice of the night," phil bodner plays the "moving clarinet solo" on "while the city sleeps", and from the liner notes "the whistling at dawn comes from the puckered lips of dick kuhn." :)

....................

01 - after midnight

02 - while the city sleeps

03 - hypnosis

04 - relaxation

05 - counting sheep

06 - smoke another cigarette

07 - voice in the night

08 - girl on my mind

09 - revel's nocturne

10 - whistling at dawn

11 - the milkman cometh

12 - and so to sleep

....................

..........

MERCURY MG 20179

download hugo_peretti_and_so_to_sleep.rar

nelson riddle - nat (1965)

2009-07-09T05:17:00.000-07:00

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nelson riddle is always a treat, and his vast discography spans decades and genres, from the swing and jazz combo sound of his soundtracks in early days, through to the sublime lush seventies string bossa novas of 'communication' and 'changing colours' (my personal favourites.) "nat" is a wonderful lp, creative arrangements of nat king cole songs, many of which nelson riddle himself originally arranged for nat. some of it swings, some of it meanders with style, but mostly it is a collection of beautifully orchestrated songs filled with nostalgia.

i was surprised at how much i recognised, not being a nat king cole fan. my personal favourites are definitely "nature boy," which i find rather spooky for some reason, and "sweet lorraine" which could carry me off on a boat into a sunny afternoon any day...
there is a flaw in the pressing at the end of side a which makes a repetitive noise but i think it's acceptible. it's a great record and did not want to let that problem on one track stop me. hope you all enjoy :).

....................

01 - straighten up and fly right

02 - too young

03 - it's only a paper moon

04 - nature boy

05 - walkin' my baby back home

06 - mona lisa

07 - night lights

08 - pretend

09 - ballerina

10 - sweet lorraine

11 - ramblin' rose

12 - the christmas song

....................

..........

reprise: R-6162

download nelson_riddle_nat.rar

franck pourcel - my paris (10inch, 1957)

2009-07-08T10:56:00.000-07:00

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warning: sound quality not great.
another 10inch from the franck pourcel collection i've been lucky enough to inherit at my local shop. i don't know who the previous owner was, but the mystery deepened last night... whilst browsing the definitive www.franckpourcel.com discography i suddenly noticed that the scanned covers of the 1956 10inch covers have a ballpoint pen signature in the top lefthand corner, the name scribbled is 'david gil.' and it's exactly my cover!!! i haven't posted it yet, which means that whoever owned these 10inch's before me (in johannesburg, south africa) must've scanned the covers and sent them to franck pourcel's daughter. either that, or the previous owner bought them from someone abroad. strange, but true :).

sound not great, but rare, so posted anyway...

....................

01 - mandolin - meringué

02 - domani - valse

03 - la cueillette du coton - baïao

04 - toi l'oiseau - fox moderato

05 - adieu lisbon - fado (lisboa antiga)

06 - alors, raconte - fox

07 - toi, je t'aimerai - boléro

08 - l'opéra de quat'sous - fox (complainte de mackie)

09 - la rose tatouée - valse du film du même titre

10 - concerto d'automne - slow

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..........

HIS MASTER'S VOICE DLP 1156

download franck_pourcel_my_paris_10_inch.rar

alfred hause - kiss of fire (1966)

2009-07-07T04:52:00.000-07:00

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the more i listen to alfred hause, the more unconventional i find his arrangements. the first track on 'kiss of fire' is too formal for me, but from track two onwards we have mr. hauser on top form with accordeon, harp, flute, glockespiel and pizzicato strings. What is also plentiful on 'kiss of fire' (and perhaps my favourite hauser trademark) is that wonderful device of creating a second melody with strings, and sometimes even a third with accordeon. i think it's called counterpoint. when it's in a minor key and melancholic i get all choked up. the arrangements are so very unexpected. i love it :).

the interweaving strings on 'nostalgias' are fantastic, 'la tanguera' is deliciously lush, and 'queja de bandoneon' is absolute splendour. i think that couple in the rose garden are ready to take their relationship to the next level ;).

....................

01 - mama, yo quiero un novio

02 - la tanguera

03 - el amanecer

04 - sentimiento gaucho

05 - el choclo

06 - felicia

07 - tango militaire

08 - queja de bandoneon

09 - tango pamplona

10 - plegaria

11 - nostalgias

12 - crepusculo

13 - el panuelito

14 - feuerblumen

....................

..........

Polydor SLPHM 184042

download alfred_hause_kiss_of_fire.rar

alfred hause - romantic classics (1969)

2009-07-05T13:11:00.000-07:00

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if there was a competition for the most bland looking record in the most ill-begotten genre that still delivers a genuinely pleasing audio experience this one would be a strong candidate. i picked it up because it's alfred hause (suggested by a friend) and i was glad i did. now classics with a beat generally make me run for the hills, but alfred has managed to turn each of these selections into a lush tango with harp, accordeon and lovely arrangements. great for dinner with that special someone :).

it would be fun to have little concurrent post-athons with other blogs...i.e. unhip post-day, wacky post-day, obscure soundtrack post-day etc...

....................

01 - serenade

02 - liebestraum

03 - melody in f

04 - solveig's song

05 - ach so fromm from 'martha'

06 - polovtsian dances from 'prince igor'

07 - piano concerto no. 1, b flat major

08 - barcarole from 'the tales of hoffmann'

09 - hungarian dance no. 4

10 - song of india from 'sadko'

11 - aishu no moscow

12 - etude no. 3, e major

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..........

Polydor 222101

download alfred_hause_romantic_classics.rar

lalo schifrin - che! (1969)

2009-07-04T06:28:00.000-07:00

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i found this at my labyrinthian record shop several months ago, and of course i was blown away by the cover and the fact that it's a lalo schifrin soundtrack. the reason i didn't post was because of track 6 quality issues, but i have new software and what the heck, it's a great soundtrack. thanks to my argentinian friend javier, i now know that both che and lalo schifrin were born in his country. i wonder how mr. schifrin felt about che's political beliefs. i'm frankly quite shocked that this movie was made in the states in 1969. i supposed it was an age of protest, but we're talking about castro and che guevara..?

anyway, it's just a record ;) and it's obviously very latin and very folk orientated with flutes and guitar and i find it restful and somewhat mournful at times.

....................

01 - che (orchestra version)

02 - la columna

03 - emboscada

04 - la ruta

05 - charangos

06 - fiesta numero dos

07 - recuerdos

08 - fiesta numero uno

09 - anita

10 - la barraca

11 - tiempo pasado

12 - che (solo guitar version)

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..........

Polydor 277009

download lalo_schifrin_che.rar

ron goodwin - music for an arabian night (1959)

2009-07-03T11:59:00.000-07:00

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this must be one of my favourite exotica lps, and i would've posted it sooner but my 1959 copy was not quite up to scratch. i recently found a 1973 greek re-issue where this audio is from. i then saw on amazon that it is now available remastered with a companion album "holiday in beirut" and i cannot wait to get my hands on a copy. i love arabic melodies...the mystery and melancholy of minor scales and ron goodwin has taken these, and woven into them the heady exotic rhythms of a european fascination with harems, hookahs and voluptuous scantily clad women (say, those are always involved in exotica, aren't they :)). the instrumentation is decidedly eastern, particularly the percussion and flutes.

my favourite tracks are "return to paradise" and "the cedars of lebanon."
in case anyone is thinking that i was high on hashish when i edited the cover shot...no, my '59 capitol lp cover was cut just like that, angles and all, so there it is...;).

....................

01 - windows of the east

02 - bazaar

03 - old beirut

04 - wedding dance

05 - return to paradise

06 - arab feast

07 - dancing eyes

08 - come back to me

09 - barefoot girl

10 - the moon and i

11 - desert hero

12 - the cedars of lebanon

....................

..........

CAPITOL ST 10251

EMI REGAL SREG 1032

download ron_goodwin_arabian_night.rar

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

2009-07-02T06:43:00.000-07:00

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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."

....................

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

download fritz_maldener_voo_doos_23.rar

francis lai - live for life (vivre pour vivre) (1967)

2009-07-02T00:13:00.000-07:00

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this wonderful francis lai soundtrack from 1967 features his classic warm analog sound with, is that an organ? i never know, the way he uses them is ingenius. there's a melancholy edge to this soundtrack apart from "roger's theme" and the two party tracks on side b. "zoom" incidentally was redone by a band called sukia on a french compilation called "pop romantique" - it's a fabulous version, and i'll include it just for fun ;).

for those wondering about the dodgy song titles, i was seriously tempted to retranslate i.e. "theme de catherine" became "theme to catherine" (seriously?) instead of catherine's theme, but anyway...

....................

01 - live for life

02 - theme to catherine

03 - theme to candice

04 - live for life

05 - now you want to be loved

06 - theme to catherine

07 - theme to robert

08 - live for life

09 - all at once it's love

10 - zoom

11 - live for life

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..........

United Artists UAS 5165

download francis_lai_vivre_pour_vivre.rar

download redone track... sukia - zooooom!

roger roger - thrilling (1955)

2009-07-01T09:24:00.000-07:00

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warning: sound quality not great.
ok, so this is the second and last post of dodgy sound 50s records i'll be making. i'm making a guess that this one is rare and unposted, which is why i'll go ahead with the audio i got. seems the guy behind the boxes delivered to my record shop not too long ago was a quite a hipster. roger roger is yet another spaceage legend, a frenchman who made his way via mood music starting out in television and radio. this was his first lp, released on mgm as part of a series of mood music. all tracks except "chinese bolero" are roger roger originals. apparently the french national television commisioned him to write a special work called "versailles," to accompany the appearance of m. rené coty, the president of the french republic, and it then became the theme for every appearance of a french president on tv :).

there is apparently one compiled cd released called "grands travaux" - i'd love to hear it...

....................

01 - small talk

02 - in costa rica

03 - please do

04 - paris waltz

05 - it's you

06 - equador

07 - chinese bolero

08 - thrilling

09 - joke

10 - can can

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..........

M-G-M Records E3201

download roger_roger_thrilling.rar

michel legrand - paris à la hi-fi (10inch, 1956)

2009-07-01T08:03:00.000-07:00

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warning: sound quality not great.
dispite the quality i absolutely had to post this one because i love it!!! the first track is my least favourite and quality wise suffers the most, but the rest is wonderful. maybe someone out there has magic software or magic ways or just a great copy of this - if so, please let me know. "merry-go-round" has lovely do-do-do-do girly vocals and makes me think of springtime in paris, and "bonjour, paris", possibly my favourite, has this earily whistled tune with wonderful trumpet - could just be my mood, but it makes me think of 'angel heart' (anyone seen that alan parker movie?) - man, it's a killer track!

i keep finding more reasons to adore and worship mr. legrand. i want to create a shrine for him :), like the wonderful 'les baxter tribute' mr. xtabay put together...

....................

01 - smile

02 - merry-go-round

03 - bonjour, paris

04 - apollo strings

05 - love theme from 'la strada'

06 - sur le pave de paris

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..........

COLUMBIA CL 2599

download michel_legrand_paris_a_la_hi-fi.rar

the voices of walter schumann - the voices of walter schumann (1952)

2009-06-30T12:38:00.000-07:00

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i'm not usually into choral music, but tried this one out purely because it seems to keep good company reputation-wise. on first listen it's pleasant enough, something between music for tv dinners and a civilised version of exotica tribes women (ok, my field of reference for choral is null :)). on second listen i'm bopping my head. not bad. i could get into this.

there are a couple more voices of walter schumann lps at my shop, including one called 'summertime' that i might check out. dating this was a challenge, but ron has found some info dating both mono and duophonic ;) versions to 1952.
thanks ron!

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01 - dream

02 - i'm always chasing rainbows

03 - for all we know

04 - fools rush in

05 - when your lover has gone

06 - love

07 - summertime

08 - moonglow

09 - taking a chance on love

10 - april in paris

11 - far above cayuga's waters

12 - holiday for strings

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CAPITOL DT297

download the_voices_of_walter_schumann.rar

richard marino - out of this world (1961)

2009-06-29T14:24:00.000-07:00

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i'm starting to feel like a kid at a zoo who sees a zebra for the first time ever - i can't wait to tell the rest of the world about the AMAZING horse with black and white stripes!!! except i'm the only one who didn't know about zebras :). yet another spaceage classic in the collection from my shop in town, this stunning album is perhaps the weirdest listenable excursion into outer space i now own. it's fantastic! lots of theremin-esque sounds, a lady wailing to the moon, and modulations i can't describe - the otherworldiness of this lp is off the charts without ever making it less than wonderful to listen to. and i cannot believe the packaging was done in 1961! how beautiful is it not?

the cover has four circular holes in it on the front and back, and the inner sleeve completes the images of the outer sleeve - how marvellous. see, the zebra.. (y'all are going, richard marino...yeah yeah :).)

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01 - out of this world

02 - moonlight becomes you

03 - when you wish upon a star

04 - the moon was yellow

05 - stardust

06 - misty

07 - gone with the wind

08 - stairway to the stars

09 - over the rainbow

10 - full moon and empty arms

11 - stars in my eyes

12 - stella by starlight

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LIBERTY LSS 14007

download richard_marino_out_of_this_world.rar

apologies, the tracklisting was originally incorrect.
this has now been corrected - see above.

franck pourcel - petite fleur (10inch, 1960)

2009-06-28T11:55:00.000-07:00

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in amongst my lucky finds are a couple of franck pourcel 10 inch records. at first i left them at the shop, at a loss as to what i should do with them, and i think i also feared they'd be old and worn but quite the contrary...they are in excellent condition. and so i thought i'd start with this one, a japanese import from 1960, with wonderful pourcel recordings on it. the packaging is a treat - the little record is so cute, and it's in a lovely little envelope and everything is in such good condition. isn't it strange that mr. pourcel was big in japan even in the late fifties? there's some kind of early synthesizer used on some of the tracks, most notably "venus" - i don't know if it is a theremin or what?

i have some more 10inch pourcels to follow. it's so much fun :). anyway, hope there's a pourcel fan out there who'll enjoy this as much as i do.

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01 - petite fleur

02 - ciao, ciao, bambina

03 - etrange tango

04 - je te tendrai les bras

05 - oui, oui, oui, oui

06 - venus

07 - bim bom bey

08 - tango militaire

09 - chanson d'orphee

10 - ce serait dommage

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ANGEL RECORDS HW 1053

download franck_pourcel_petite_fleur_10_inch.rar

jackie gleason - aphrodisia (1959)

2009-06-28T08:08:00.000-07:00

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now i'm not sure if this is out there already, or released on cd. i used to google or blogsearch and that was enough but these days i'm not so sure. in any event, here is jackie gleason's "aphrodisia," certainly more profane looking then the music ever is - in fact, the lp itself is restful and tame, soft swelling strings with a smooth organ in the middle to lull us into pleasurable waves of restful ease and relaxation :).

all the tracks are written by jackie gleason, hence the totally wacked out themed titles, including my favourite "pastel flame." from the liner notes, we read "jakie has keyed many of these selections to hues of love and passion. such titles as blue crystal, pastel flame, violet mist, and dawn desire, suggest that love, though sometimes blind, is seldom color blind." (my goodness) oh, and the back cover (i have on request) has an image of two lovers getting it on underneath a tree - risky, very risky ;).

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01 - seraglio

02 - blue crystal

03 - pastel flame

04 - dawn desire

05 - violet mist

06 - rapture

07 - silver sunset

08 - pink chiffon

09 - perpetual emotion

10 - orange velvet

11 - farewell rendezvous

12 - glamour

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CAPITOL W1250

download jackie_gleason_aphrodisia.rar

sid bass - from another world (1956)

2009-06-28T01:30:00.000-07:00

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in the same collection as the michel legrands and the les baxters, i found this spaceage gem. produced by herman diaz jr. it's in a similar vein to esquivel, with big brass pow-wows and xylophones, and makes for a playfull and energetic listen. in between all the tracks are some strange modulations which i assume are from outer space (some are downright disturbing,) and on many tracks there are some seriously trippy echo effects applied to glockenspiel etc that made me laugh and which i enjoyed thoroughly. i'm not sure how well this sold in 1956 but i love it!

the sound was not in mint condition but for its age it is not bad at all. happy listening! silly me...i've just seen on amazon this one has been released on cd already - i was wondering why nobobody seemed interested (grin.)

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01 - from another world

02 - old devil moon

03 - you came along

04 - stormy weather

05 - ill wind

06 - how high the moon

07 - my blue heaven

08 - east of the sun

09 - star dust

10 - the world is waiting for the sunrise

11 - cabin in the sky

12 - beyond the blue horizon

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Vik LX-1053

download sid_bass_from_another_world.rar

les baxter - young pops (1960)

2009-06-27T14:21:00.000-07:00

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i scored some seriously cool stuff at my record shop this morning. waking up at 9am was a strain after only getting to bed at 2am (i am after all in my mid-thirties now :)) but it was so worth it. this is the first post, a perky and pleasurable release from les baxter. now when i first began collecting, i bought "the exotic moods of les baxter" on cd and became and instant fan. then I found "sensational!" and "around the world" on lp, both of which were painfully dull (in my humble opinion.) perhaps my tastes have changed and i should revisit them. in any event, "young pops" sounds like the lineup from one of his exotica sessions got shuffled into the recording studio next door for a second session of pop takes, and even then the inflections are at times somewhat sinister and unexpected. lots of harp, xylophones, and fresh lively arrangements. lots of fun for both the young and the old, except before bedtime. i found another record called "...and so to sleep" for that :).

for those interested in les baxter, you should definitely visit the comprehensive "les baxter tribute" blog - see link top right - you can get almost every baxter recording ever released there.

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01 - venus

02 - running bear

03 - let it be me

04 - the battle of new orleans

05 - mister blue

06 - el paso

07 - what in the world's come over you

08 - theme from a summer place

09 - tom dooley

10 - misty

11 - forever

12 - mack the knife

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CAPITOL ST1399

download les_baxter_young_pops.rar

the harry roche constellation - spindrift (1971)

2009-06-27T10:48:00.000-07:00

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dr waldo has voted this harry roche constellation version of hawaii five-o to beat the pants off john gregory's and in fact any other we've come across... comments anyone? :) it is an amazing version. spindrift finds harry roche embracing the steady lush sound uk sound of early seventies studio2stereo releases. i have a thing for early 70s studio2stereo. if i was to go back in time i'd be a groupy hanging out there at abbey road studio 2... (not studio 1) hoping to catch a glimpse of the orchestral genius' that all recorded at that wonderful address...john keating, simon park, alan hawkshaw, keith mansfield, mandingo... (well maybe i wouldn't have recognised mandingo in his suit and black-rimmed spectacles ;))

once again i have left the sound mostly untreated as the brass was being clipped by the de-clicker. top notch album by one of britain's lounge greats - "hawaii five-o" and "warm punch" are killer dancefloor tracks.

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01 - hawaii five-o

02 - it had to be you

03 - let there be love

04 - something

05 - spindrift

06 - on mother kelly's doorstep

07 - do you know the way to san jose

08 - theme from love story

09 - begin the beguine

10 - didn't we

11 - (they long to be) close to you

12 - warm punch

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download harry_roche_constellation_spindrift.rar

2009-06-27T10:47:00.000-07:00

horst jankowski

- jankowski plays jankowski (1969)

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for those of you who think horst jankowski is a square, well you are forgiven, because his earlier lps are rather subdued and tame. this one however, is mr. jankowski's pet sounds. if i didn't know any better, i'd think maybe somebody spiked his Bier with a little something. this record is on fire! as the title suggests, all ten tracks are jankowski originals, and i think it is this after all what brings all the passion and kick to these killer tracks. thanks again to dr waldo for providing a good copy - this time in upside-down world, the local south african pressing beats the pants of a dull and lifeless sealed canadian pressing i bought (sigh.) so if you wanna get down like it's 1969 and there's no tomorrow, get this now.

for those interested in getting more horst, the "black forest explosion!" cd reissue has many tracks from this lp plus others in this vein (post-tame period, pre-jazz period, i.e. party horst period :))

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01 - any problem now

02 - little old town

03 - pink balloon

04 - like a ruby in the sunset

05 - blow up the piano

06 - dream flight

07 - i feel like a child

08 - a butler's ballet

09 - this is the morning (to end such a night)

10 - the blues, the beat and all that

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download jankowski_plays_jankowski.rar

2009-06-24T14:24:00.000-07:00

chaquito

- the big, big sound of chaquito (1970)

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few lps have inspired as much envy as this one did when my friend waldo laid his hands on a copy several years back. having 'discovered' john gregory, and the seventies being my prime era of interest, i of course felt that it was wasted somehow on anyone but me ;)... i would like to say that time assuages all bitterness, but hearing this incredible lp again has just reminded me of why i wanted it so bad! :) ok, so mescalin-crazed banditos aside (and god do they make me smile and wan't to get down...) the brass production and driving rhythms are just insanely infectuous and discoteque danceable from start to finish. john gregory is the king. nobody arranges like he does. every track on this lp kicks ass.

the sound on this recording has been left untreated, as i prefer the brass to be left unchanged. i think this lp may have been originally released in the uk as "revolution," but i'm not sure...

contour 6870 589

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01 - revolution

02 - aquarius

03 - carol of the bells

04 - old devil moon

05 - te quiero dijiste

06 - the good, the bad and the ugly

07 - carioca

08 - tierra madre

09 - desafinado

10 - goin' out of my head

11 - maria elena

12 - the big country

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download the_big_big_sound_of_chaquito.rar

2009-06-23T23:27:00.000-07:00

the night strings

- instrumental love machine (1970)

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this lush gem released on the evolution label has been one of my favourites since i picked up a copy from the dumped SABC (state radio) stock back in 1996. i now have two local pressed copies, but it's thanks to a third import from my friend dr waldo in cape town that i am finally able to make this post.

like the other evolution releases round this time (bobby byrne's "shades of brass," "electric hair") there is moog involved, but as the title suggests, this is a darker more lush excursion into the night. there are several tracks that are dying to be used on a compilation (i.e. my compilation i'm working on :)) and these include "black sand and white stars" and "blue stoned eyes."

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01 - god bless the child

02 - black sand and white stars

03 - aquarius

04 - the road to the blues

05 - on days like these

06 - a time for us

07 - oh happy day

08 - sagittarius

09 - honey

10 - blue stoned eyes

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download the_night_strings_love_machine.rar

2009-06-17T13:49:00.000-07:00

paul mauriat et son orchestre

- plays standards (1963)

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well the roots of french lounge keep getting stranger. when i first played this record i had to check the label to make sure it was the right lp, and not a xavier cugat someone had slipped in by mistake. this is full-on latin folks, with french vocals to boot. paul mauriat...as in paul mauriat? are we in cuba? the record is not in perfect shape, but i've posted it any way for it's shock, historic, and merengue value :).

how weird is this? i was reading on wikipedia "mauriat was to have his first international hit with chariot, which he wrote in collaboration with friends franck pourcel (co-composer), jacques plante (french lyrics) and raymond lefevre (orchestrator)" - all three of them writing together! oh, and apparently mr. mauriat also used pseudonyms to "better reflect the international flavour of his recordings," and these included "richard audrey, nico papadopoulos, eduardo ruo and willy twist." :).

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01 - fascination

02 - ciao ciao bambina

03 - ay! ay! ay!

04 - love in portofino

05 - parlez-moi d'amour

06 - avril au portugal

07 - amour de saint-tropez

08 - je sais que vous etes jolie

09 - amor amor amor

10 - en avril a paris

11 - le millionnaire

12 - quizas, quizas, quizas

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download paul_mauriat_plays_standards.rar

2009-06-16T13:34:00.000-07:00

franck pourcel

- amour, danse et violons no 10 (1958)

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i never used to enjoy the 50s sound much: those sacharin strings in a pretend perfect world...but somehow it has gotten under my skin. yes, it seems the amour series really does go back all the way to no 1. i've actually seen number 6, a small 10 inch disk at my shop. perhaps i'll try it, since i actually have really enjoyed this one. there's a lot of accordeon, glockenspiel, flutes and double base with of course them fifties strings. my favourite track is a pourcel original, "reves de jeunesse," and apparently "dors, mon amour" is the grand prix eurovision 1958 winner (man they got down in 1958...)

i was very surprised to see that track 8, "opera en goguette" is co-composed by franck pourcel and raymond lefevre! how weird that they go back to '58. i wonder if they remained friends or became fierce bitter rivals. in any event, i was happy to find this little gem in pretty good condition. so let's put it on pretend life is peachy (say, isn't it, really? :))

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01 - java paname

02 - marjolaine

03 - la foule

04 - gondolier

05 - reves de jeunesse

06 - dors, mon amour

07 - le pont de la riviere kwai

08 - opera en goguette

09 - histoire d'un amour

10 - sarah

11 - moisson

12 - ca, c'est l'amour

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download franck_pourcel_amour_no10.rar

2009-06-15T01:47:00.000-07:00

david rose

- portrait (1972)

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when i first started collecting easy listening lps back in 1996, i got a polydor double-lp compilation called "take it easy." of all the tracks on it, the two i loved best were bert kaempfert's "stoney end" and david rose's "do you love me." inside the gatefold they had little pictures of all the polydor lps where the tracks came from, so portrait became fixed in my mind as a holy grail of sorts. it is for me a dark album, as was "do you love me" when i first fell in love with it. it reminds me of john barry in the seventies, riz ortolani... introspective, deep and lush.

i downloaded this from a friend's blog not too long ago, but for the life of me i can't remember where... i really wanted to post the copy i found on my birthday however, on my site, because i love this album so much.

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01 - where is the love

02 - the first time i ever saw your face

03 - alone again naturally

04 - love theme from spartacus

05 - without you

06 - the miracle

07 - do you love me

08 - if

09 - too beautiful to last

10 - if you could read my mind

11 - i'm lonely for you

12 - cabaret

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download david_rose_portrait.rar