roberto delgado

- along mexican highways (1959)

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this is the earliest delgado album i have, and i suspect it may be roberto's first. it's utterly charming, really fresh, and the instrumentation is top notch. the arrangement is also truly innovative, and it really feels like mr. delgado is discovering his love of latin music.

the lp itself is a little beat up, but i've decided i want to share it regardless, at least until somebody else offers a better copy. i'm always surprised at how well these thick heavy platters from the fifties preserve the sound. inbetween the crackle the sound is still crisp. most of the recording faired well in the sound cleanup except maybe "la bamba" which is why i've included a cd copy of it from a compilation. i was amused to see that this lp cover lists him as "Roberto del Gado" and has a genre on the back called "for your romantik mood" :)

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01 - amapola

02 - noches de mazatlan

03 - suby universitario

04 - cielito lindo

05 - estrellita

06 - el rascapetate

07 - la bamba

08 - ruega por nosotros

09 - green eyes

10 - la malaguena

11 - ahora y siempre

12 - el jarabe tapatio

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download delgado along mexican highways

john barry

- ready when you are, jb (1970)

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i am so in love with this record at the moment. i don't know if it's the emotional times or what but these tracks are filled with such great beauty. achingly brilliant.

"who will buy my yesterdays" comes from another world. how did he come up with this? it's just so profoundly touching to me right now. get this - you will not be sorry.

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01 - midnight cowboy

02 - we have all the time in the world

03 - theme from romance for guitar and orchestra

04 - who will buy my yesterdays

05 - fun city

06 - the lion in winter

07 - on her majesty's secret service

08 - theme from the appointment

09 - try (from ohm secret service)

10 - the more things change

11 - afternoon

12 - theme from born free

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download ready when you are jb

orchester fritz maldener

- speedy buggy (1973)

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if you can get past the seriously uncool looking chicks in the "buggy," and fritz himself wearing a fur cap (like dr. zhivago) in mid summer, you'll find that this record absolutely rocks! it reminds me of james last but funkier, with plenty fender rhodes and gorgeous girl / boy chorus action.

favourite tracks include the breezy summer of "open window," and lowdown cool brass of "speedy buggy."

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01 - rockin' voices

02 - red flame

03 - open window

04 - speedy buggy

05 - scotch pub

06 - non stop dancing

07 - wild luck

08 - top snob

09 - riding easy

10 - half note-shuffle

11 - pay attention

12 - short walk

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download fritz maldener speedy buggy

roland shaw and his orchestra

- more james bond in action (1967)

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back in 1996 when re-releases were fewer and further inbetween, "the look of love" and "let the love come through" made it onto the karminski comp inflight entertainment. soon afterwards, a roland shaw bond selection was re-released as "the world of james bond adventure!" together with swanky artwork and phase-4 deram logos. i was so happy to find that at my cape town cd store! this lp is the second of the three, and i thought i'd post it for anyone who never got the previously mentioned cd release. they are great lps. one will follow shortly if there's interest.

comparing this lp to the cd release, i see there are 4 tracks not included on the comp, and these are "capsules in space," "gypsy camp," "teasing the korean" and "have no fear, bond is here." "gypsy camp" is way cool and i recognise "have no fear..." but from where exactly?

visit the crime lounge for more roland shaw and other deadly international conspiracies...

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01 - you only live twice

02 - capsules in space

03 - gypsy camp

04 - teasing the korean

05 - the wedding

06 - have no fear, bond is here

07 - the look of love

08 - bond below disco volante

09 - thunderball

10 - jump up

11 - chateau fight

12 - let the love come through

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download roland shaw more bond action

augusto alguero

- sounds spectacular (1968)

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when inflight entertainment was released, the karminski brothers introduced us to a whole world of stylish lounge. one of my favourite tracks from that compilation was "discoteque" by augusto alguero. i became obsessed with find an augusto alguero record, and when i finally did, i was not disappointed. he is one creative spaniard and puts his fire and flair into even the most done standards. a couple of years back a re-release finally appeared, much to my joy.

favourite tracks off this album include "gran premio" and "sera el amor." i've mixed and matched alternate sources (cd plus my lp) but i think the levels are fine. if you don't know augusto alguero yet then you are in for a wonderful treat.

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01 - delilah

02 - i'm coming home

03 - pata-pata

04 - cherie babette

05 - magico sonido

06 - it must be love (sera el amor)

07 - la la la

08 - la muchachita del pianillo

09 - cuando sali de cuba

10 - the ballad of bonnie and clyde

11 - road to marbella

12 - gran premio

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download augusto alguero sounds spectacular

michel legrand

- violent violins (1968)

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while we're on the topic of inflight entertainment, this album was such a great find and an exquisite record, which i was first alerted to through the two tracks included on that first karminski comp. it is rather insane, but with such an effortless sense of style that in my mind makes it one of the great lounge classics. michel legrand had a brilliant career, but i cannot help but wish he'd made more such daring excursions into pop.

i was going to post this right at the start but was concerned about the sound quality - i ran it through some cleanup and hope it brings some joy. bon voyage...

ps: also released under titles "archi-chords" (france) and "plays for dancers" (usa) - tx guys.

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01 - di-gue-ding-ding

02 - noix de coco

03 - orange blossom special

04 - come ray and come charles

05 - hi-girls

06 - manhattan stroll

07 - alcatraz

08 - da-we-da

09 - monkey business

10 - come ride with me

11 - motor-city

12 - bandol

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download michel legrand violent violins

augusto alguero

- top hits my way (1969)

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here is my other augusto alguero lp, as promised. this is his second release on polydor every bit as dynamic and exciting as his first. i'm having a big alguero moment, so if anyone has any non-polydor alguero please let me know. i long for a taste of what came after his polydor recordings (if indeed there were any.)

this whole lp rocks - no filler, all winner. "bocaccio soul" is a killer and has enjoyed much airtime on many a compilation.

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01 - hey jude

02 - love child

03 - la feria

04 - cielito si, si

05 - i say a little prayer

06 - eloise

07 - les bicyclettes de belsize

08 - el gran amor

09 - those were the days

10 - winter word of love

11 - bocaccio soul

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download augusto alguero top hits

francis lai

- francis lai joue francis lai (1971)

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i'm a big fan of people doing themselves. "jankowski plays jankowski" is a fine example of when this gets done with creativity and enjoyment, as is this release from francis lai in 1971. a couple of years short of the other release i've posted, this one also has the same signature sound of the electric accordian. the arrangements are excellent, and as these tracks have all been recorded specifically for this lp, the mood and identity is unique. think creative genius meets warmth, and you're on the right track.

highly recommended for all francis lai fans, and as an intro for any ready to be converted. the man is a genius, resistance is futile!

PS: track listing is apparently incorrect on cover - see comments section for alternate list...

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01 - love story

02 - un homme et une femme

03 - le voyou

04 - le passager de la pluie

05 - du soleil plein les yeux

06 - madly

07 - un homme qui me plait

08 - 13 jours en france

09 - vivre pour vivre

10 - dans la poussiere du soleil

11 - hello goodbye

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download francis lai joue francis lair

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

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what a fantastic and strange werner muller album. done with the london festival orchestra and chorus, the sound is big and anthemic, and the tracks meander to dramatic crescendos, all in a lush production as only 1974 would offer. been loving listening to it as i've been ripping it. this may be out there already, but it's new to me and i'm loving it, so i decided to add it for those still missing this lovely entry in mr. muller's broad and brilliant career.

if i had to pick a favourite (though i love them all,) it would be "land of make-believe," which for me is a haunting gem of string, horn and flutey seventies bliss (does that come with ice cream? :)).

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01 - have you heard

02 - are you sitting comfortably

03 - ride my see-saw

04 - isn't life strange

05 - the story in your eyes

06 - question

07 - tuesday afternoon

08 - land of make-believe

09 - nights in white satin

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PFS 4293

download werner muller mystic portrait

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

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this rather exceptional library record comes from my friend waldo in the cape, and is from the familiar "studio one" range. on the a-side we have fritz maldener, who i posted an earlier album of released on mps called "speedy buggy," which kicks ass, but it is the voo doo's on side b that really steal the show. their stuff is a hybrid of totally psyched out guitars and moog woven into tropical african rhythms shamelessly placed in brackets as "african beat", "afro beat" and even, my favourite, "black beat" (oh yeah...) truly, the voo doo's know how to get down several different ways, and their song writing is definitely a notch above library stock. would be interesting knowing what their tracks were finally used for :).

my favourites are "exotic fruit" and "o mané."

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the fritz maldener orchestra

01 - san diego (mambo)

02 - usambara cha cha (cha cha)

03 - coffee time (samba)

04 - caribian sun (latin rock)

05 - argentinian flight (merenge)

06 - senorita margarita (cha cha mambo)

07 - pernambuco samba (samba)

the voo doo's

08 - boo bam bam boo (african beat)

09 - o man‚ (happy african beat)

10 - mungo go go (fast conga beat)

11 - african news (black beat)

12 - tropical nights (afro beat)

13 - exotic fruits (afro beat)

14 - in the city of haiti (afro beat)

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BERRY MUSIC CO. S.0.23

download fritz maldener voo doos 23

alfred hause and his orchestra- tango notturno (1963)

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this wonderful early release from alfred hause is packed with intoxicating tango magic. It gives an interesting look at the beginning of a highly successful run with polydor, and contains lots of flutes, strings, piano, guitar and of course that signature accordion.

the title track "tango notturno" has become one of his famous tracks and is included on most compilations. i love "regentropfen" (raindrops on my window) and "blauer himmel" (blue heaven.)

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01 - adios muchachos

02 - violetta

03 - a media luz

04 - tango notturno

05 - tango kavaljeren

06 - caminito

07 - el pardo

08 - blauer himmel

09 - ole guapa

10 - la cumparsita

11 - regentropfen

12 - o sole mio

13 - florentinische nachte

14 - lago maggiore

15 - tango irene

16 - jalousie

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Polydor 46 344 LPHM

download alfred hause tango notturno

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

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this one is definitely my biggest surprise yet from charl's loan pack. from the enigmatic "film studio orchestra" that brought us the wonderful francis lai quad lp, here is a collection of inventive thriller theme arrangements with fantastic jazz overtones that give a unique and wholly captivating flavour to what could otherwise pass as an unnoticed standards record. i keep listening to it - great great stuff. thank you japan, thank you "film studio orchestra" :) you guys got the groove on this one.

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01 - the sicilians

02 - melodie en sous-sol

03 - le grisbi

04 - goldfinger

05 - from russia with love

06 - we have all the time in the world

07 - par un beau matin d'ete

08 - j'irai cracher sur vos tombes

09 - les liasons dangereuses (no problem)

10 - des femmes disparaissent

11 - ascenseur pour l'echafaud

12 - licensed to kill

13 - man with the golden arm

14 - mission impossible

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BON 190

download film studio orchestra suspense themes

dominic frontiere and his orchestra - pagan festival (1959)

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hi, i'm back :). found this exotica record down in a little shop in fish hoek. wonderful stuff. and how about them track titles? temple of suicide? lol.

my favourite for now is'goddess of love.'

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01 - festival

02 - house of dawn

03 - temple of suicide

04 - moon goddess

05 - time of sunshine

06 - goddess of love

07 - house of pleasure

08 - the harvest

09 - corn festival

10 - god of seasons

11 - jaguar god

12 - venus girl

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ASF 1041

download dominic frontiere pagan festival

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

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i just had to post this as one of my return lps. thanks to my friend waldo for finding this woderful obscurity. on mfp, the sound is much closer to studio2stereo recordings or chaquito tv themes - it absolutely cooks, start to finish. talk about a surprise. to make the heart grow even fonder, all tracks are original compositions named after south african places and icons, and the last track is named after the place i grew up, the kruger park.

highly recommended for compilations and lounge dancefloors...lounge dancefloors? hey, where are those? :)

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01 - highveld highride

02 - give '5'

03 - caprivi strip

04 - rand show

05 - garden route

06 - blue train

07 - jacaranda jaunt

08 - kyalami

09 - cape to rio

10 - street preacher

11 - kango caves

12 - mineshaft

13 - sauer street shuffle

14 - the protea

15 - kruger park

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STEREO MFP 54649

download mike hankinson south african safari

chaquito and his orchestra - latin favourites (1960)

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this early chaquito release has a fun more genuine latin feel than later releases and has vocals to boot. must've been a hit at all those swinger parties. i have another excellent chaquito lp called "el bandido" from 1968 which unfortunately was a warp - there's a regular hiss rhythm as the vinyl turns, no tone difference. i'm going to include a link to "el bandido" in the comments to this one, just because it's so fabulous i think it's worth it even with the flawed sound. think of it as a bonus chaquito then nobody can complain :).

"serenata negra" is a longstanding favourite :) of mine.

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01 - el mensu

02 - serenata negra

03 - dardanella

04 - song of orpheus

05 - the gypsy

06 - nicola

07 - ola, ola, ola

08 - the little engine

09 - la fajanada

10 - the private ay-ay-ay

11 - tengo una esperancita

12 - never on sunday

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WL1026

download chaquito latin favourites

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

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this release on polydor is rather unlike their usual stable and the marketing gives us fair warning that it has an edge. and that it does. jacques denjean comes from a jazz background, and this shines through on what is a sterling lp in the vein of peter gunn, jimmy smith, the man from u.n.c.l.e. and even a touch of surf rock. the tracks vary in feel, and there's even one ("le train fou") with heavy female groans for those inclined toward the b-grade soundtrack sound. two of the tracks ("la route" and "dans le vent") were written and selected as theme tunes for "the most popular radio programmes in france." :)

a rare and unique release, thanks to charl for lending this one to my turntable for a spin.

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01 - la route

02 - dream baby

03 - sally go round the roses

04 - watermelon man

05 - vol 847

06 - it's my party

07 - blue horizon

08 - le train fou

09 - dans le vent

10 - nord 2000

11 - en suivant notre amour

12 - mistral 20h30

13 - dans le nuit

14 - mickey's monkey

15 - don't bother me no more

16 - be my baby

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Polydor HI-FI 46 450

download jacques_denjean_the tough touch

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

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i'm not really one for samplers, but this one is limited to three artists and great ones at that. “cortez and his new latin” have an exciting bass-driven sound - i only have one release of theirs, from which these tracks are drawn, so friends, if you're enchanted by him, download the full album for more magic. then there are three tracks by "the alan tew latin sound," great stuff as well. these tracks are from 1969 according to the lp label. finally the rest is covered by our much loved chaquito aka john gregory. side a is the more raucous of the two, while b lends itself to closer more intimate non stop dancing :).

the tracks on this album are not mixed, dispite the "non stop" claim. they follow one another fast enough though to keep those feet bopping ;).

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01 - aquarius - cortez and his new latin

02 - standing on the corner - cortez and his new latin

03 - hey there - cortez and his new latin

04 - mexicana - chaquito and the quedo brass

05 - walk in the black forest - chaquito and the quedo brass

06 - plaisir d'amour - chaquito and the quedo brass

07 - milord - chaquito and the quedo brass

08 - georgy girl - the alan tew latin sound

09 - the troubleshooters (mogul theme) - the alan tew latin sound

10 - i'll never find another you - the alan tew latin sound

11 - poor butterfly (the big show of 1916) - chaquito

12 - tangerine - chaquito

13 - dancing in the dark - chaquito

14 - green eyes (aquellos ojos verdes) - chaquito

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PHILIPS 6382 032

download non_stop latin party

the groovin' strings and things - st (1969)

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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

andre popp- if you go away (1972)

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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

werner muller and his orchestra- sentimental journey (1976)

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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

astor piazolla

- libertango (1974)

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a couple of years ago i got myself a copy of "astor piazolla remixed," not knowing who astor piazolla was, but keen on any lounge remix projects - this album is great, highly recommended to any who enjoy electronica + lounge like the morricone remix projects etc.

i must say that i expected something more folky from the actual astor piazolla, so this album has literally blown me away! it's so dark and lush and drenched with atmosphere and fine orchestration. all i can say is get this now!, and i want more!

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01 - libertango

02 - meditango

03 - undertango

04 - adios nonino

05 - violentango

06 - novitango

07 - amelitango

08 - tristango

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download astor piazolla libertango

michel legrand

- themes and variations (1972)

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this record is AMAZING. it is pure genius. 1972 is the year, and michel has recorded 11 brilliant fully orchestrated variations of his finest film scores. i am totally blown away. this is definitely the legrand lp i have been waiting for.

at times dark, always lush, with occasional acoustic guitar and background voices, these versions are mostly off-beat and quite removed from the originals. the tinkling jazz piano through it all must be monsieur legrand. unfortunately 'windmills of your mind' is damaged toward the end but i had to post the whole lp. i hope someone out there enjoys this as much as i do :).

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01 - brian's song

02 - theme from 'the go-between'

03 - the deep blue c

04 - what are you doing for the rest of your life

05 - picasso summer

06 - dis-moi

07 - summer of '42

08 - wuthering heights

09 - pieces of dreams

10 - the windmills of your mind

11 - i will say goodbye

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download michel legrand themes and variations

werner muller

- the latin splendor of werner muller (1969)

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this is probably my favourite werner muller record. it's chaotic and crazy and high latin style. the production reminds me of the first inflight compilation, and if there'd ever been another espresso, i would've campaigned for several of the tracks off this gem of a record!

tracks that are sh**-hot dancefloor ready include "cumana," "el cumbanchero," and "mambo jambo"! "light me fire" is also a great version of the rather under-covered doors classic. this record would have to be in my desert-island / tropical-island survival pack, no doubt about it.

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01 - delicado

02 - light my fire

03 - the girl from ipanema

04 - perfidia

05 - eso es el amor

06 - mambo jambo

07 - mas que nada

08 - el cumbanchero

09 - solamente una vez

10 - cumana

11 - amor, amor

12 - a banda

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download werner muller latin splendour

mandingo - tiger in the night (comp, 1978)

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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

paul mauriat- the soul of paul mauriat (1969)

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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