Herb Alpert - Volume 2 (1963)

Herb Alpert and his Tijuana Brass! One of my all time favorites anyhow. I grew up with his tunes, and many songs from that time I only knew as his versions. Great music, although some people disagree... This is Herb´s second best album overall. "But why don´t you introduce us to his best album? Why the second best?" I hear people say. It´s pretty easy: You can buy his BEST album at internet-dealers all over the world, but it´s hard to find his second best. There are many tunes on this record that I know from those happy childhood-days, but not as many as on his best album. Plus it´s a record dedicated to numerology. You didn´t know that? So, I give you a summary:

2.) It´s his second album ever
2.) It´s his second-best album
2.) It´s the album of him I like second-best
2.) This album is on the second shelf in my record-collection
2.) My father bought this album on the 2nd of August
2.) This album features two sides, side A and side B
2.) And how many grooves are there on this record? Yep, two. I counted them.

There are many, many more links to the number "2" on this album, take your time and try to find them. It all boils down to 2. What would be more likely than to name this album "Volume 2"? Now you understand...

Please enjoy Herb Alpert at his (second-)best!

Dr. Samuel J. Hoffman & Billy May - Music for Peace of Mind (1950)

The Theremin. One of the eeriest instruments ever invented. Hoffman, the foot doctor whose nervous theremin style defined the sound of ghosts, goblins and space invaders, started his musical career as a violin player in New York. Starting at the age of 14, Hoffman became the youngest musician to play at Loew's New York Roof Garden, and later formed his own orchestra. He studied podiatry at Long Island University and became a foot doctor by day and band leader by night. He obtained his theremin in a barter with another musician and integrated it into his act as a novelty. Hoffman played theremin in dozens of Hollywood films in the 1940's and 1950's, usually for scenes of fear, madness, drunkenness and emotional distress. He performed on three successful record albums for composer Harry Revel, one of them you can see here. Hoffman's theremin career ended in 1959 when trombonist Paul Tanner invented the mechanical Electro-Theremin which replaced the space-controlled theremin in movies, TV shows, and recordings.

Paul Mark - Kokeshi Shindig (1965)

Yes, this is strange. Very strange! Paul Mark was a Hawaiian-based Japanese guy who released several LPs on the local Sounds of Hawaii label and a couple for Imperial in the US. He already had two albums out with jazzified Japanese tunes, "East to West" and "Golden Melodies from Japan", but this one is different. Who thought, that the Japanese sing like the Chipmunks? Well, we all can imagine that and there have been several rumours, but... Just hear for yourself. If you want to crack a party or anti-socialize with your friends, this is THE record to put on your stereo. Please enjoy...