Sondi Sodsai - Sondi (1956)

Because I don´t know what to post this week, one week before my vacation on the Baltic Sea, I chose to post this one. This is Siamese pop. As the elder ones of you know, Thailand once was Siam.

Why they changed it I can´t say.
People just liked it better that way...

The classic Thai pop LP is this one by Sondi Sodsai. She was voted "Miss Thailand" in 1960. She also appeared in an obscure TV-series named "Adventures in Paradise" in the early sixties, and represented the stereotype of a Tahitian beauty. And by the way, she is or was the court-entertainer of the King and Queen of Thailand, as it is stated on the record. It´s the cryptic writing on top of the frontcover, that looks like Thai, but is in fact English. Try to decrypt this... The album was produced by Martin Denny, and I especially like the "Siamese Cat Song" from the Disney-movie "Aristocats" and the last one, "Japanese Farewell Song", which we all know from the movie "M*A*S*H". Please enjoy, although this could be tough for non-trained listeners...

Les Baxter - Wild Guitars (1959)

Sounds like... No, not Herb Alpert, although he´s got a record with the same title. No, not "Wild Guitars"... "Sounds Like..."! But anyway, this one almost sounds like Esquivel, it was Baxter´s version of a Stereo Action record. I´m sure you´ll like it, so don´t miss it.

James Last - Polka-Party (1971)

Don´t worry about the picture above, I included front and back picture in the files. But the question is: Can you make is through this record? Without consuming a barrel of beer? Haardly, I´llll till youu... Buuuut this shows aggagain thee imense verssatililility of James Last´s Orchestra. *hic* As for treklist, I meen *hic* traracklissT I included a pitschure off his beck as well, I meen from The reCoRd! Did I teelll yu thatt? *hic* Of CooRS! sinz i Can HHarrdly faind me kEYs, THIS KEYS, off coors! Welll, jussst lissen to sis and Dents!...I meen dANtss..., now: DAAAAAAANCE ´til you drop like me...

Attilio Mineo - Man In Space With Sounds (1962)

This is the complete version with spoken word introductions. "Man in Space with Sounds" was composed by Arthur 'Attilio' Mineo in the early 50s and was played through the sound system in "The Bubbleator", an exhibit that was part of the 1962 Seattle Space Age World's Fair. "The Bubbleator" was a 150-passenger spherical clear plastic elevator that moved 2.5 million people through the "World of Tomorrow" displays that promised an easier life ahead and a glimpse of life in the future! To accompany their journey, the sound system piped in the evocative orchestral and electronic music of Man in Space with Sounds that helped to create a futurist experience for the passengers. The original LP was released in limited quantities on the World's Fair record label around 1962 in two versions: one with a short piece of spoken word introduction before each track and one without the introductions. As I said, this is the version with introductions. Neither LP was in stereo, but THIS is Space Age! Even in mono...

The Three Suns - The Things I Love in Hi-Fi (1957)

Another one of those great three guys. I don´t have to tell you "the things I love" about them, do I? ;o) Please enjoy, and don´t forget to look for my lacking James Lasts for me! I´d really appreciate this...

Xavier Cugat - Cugat in France, Spain & Italy (1960)

This is a request for a repost from Lasse of Sweden, who gave me 5 Last-LPs I´ve been looking for a long time. He´s a nice guy who runs an online-recordshop with a lot of stuff to choose from. You may want to visit his store by clicking this link, maybe you´ll find something you´ve been looking for:

Honest Joe´s Records ´n´ Postcards

Thanks a lot again, Lasse!

Another gem from the great Xavier Cugat from 1960. He was born in 1900 (as: Francisco De Asis Javier Cugat Mingall De Cru Y Deulofeo) and then changed his name, ´cause it didn´t fit on the record sleeves. Cugat's recordings of the 50´s featured the singing of his third wife, Abbe Lane. In the mid 60´s, he featured his fourth wife, Charo, who he billed as a "folksinger". Upon his retirement in 1970, Cugat returned to Spain. He died in Barcelona on October 27, 1990. His band, which was led by Tito Puente following his retirement, continues to perform under the direction of dancer, musician and vocalist Ada Cavallo. Please enjoy this piece of music. Have fun, it´s a great dance record too!

James Last - Käpt'n James bittet zum Tanz (1968)

Two years later, after his big success with "Ännchen von Tharau", he put some sea-shanties from Hamburg and from the rest of the world into a new costume. That record was this one, another classic of our beloved Hansi. Here you can see that the James-Last-Band was and still is the most versatile Lounge-band in the world. Just listen to his albums "Hair" and "Voodoo-Party", recently shared at xyz-cosmonaut´s and xtabay´s.
Allright, sailors, get yourself an eye-patch and a wooden leg, cut off your left hand and put on a hook, teach your parrot how to curse, poor yourself a big cup of Rum and then let´s go sailing!

But not without the tracklist:

01) Nimm uns mit Kapitän
Einmal noch nach Bombay
Der Junge an der Reling

02) La Paloma
My Bonnie
Kari Waits for Me

03) The Banks of Sacramento
What Shall We Do With the Drunken Sailor
Madagaskar

04) The Wreck of "John B."
The Yellow Rose of Texas

05) Wenn das Schifferklavier an Bord ertönt
Fahr' mich in die Ferne
Hein spielt abends so schön auf dem Schifferklavier

06) Eine Seefahrt, die ist lustig
Heut' geht's an Bord
Das ist die Liebe der Matrosen

07) Aloha Oe
John Kanaka
Up She Goes

08) Rolling Home
Winde weh'n

09) Wir lieben die Stürme
The Color Flaggs
Hey, Hey, Hey!

10) Good Night, Ladies
In der Heimat
Muß i denn

Dr. Samuel J. Hoffman & Les Baxter - Music Out of the Moon (1947)

I promised to get this back to you, didn´t I? A nice piece of music and, by the way, so completely different from the James Last works. Nonetheless I´m still searching for 80 albums from James Last, please see section above...

Now, here are the liner notes from this album, where our favorite podiatrist worked with Les Baxter:

The music in this album is in reality an exploration ... using exotic harmonies, timbre
and composition to play upon the more remote realm of human emotions.

It is music of a type that has been outstandingly successful as a mood-creating
background for motion pictures dealing with the macabre, the fantastic.

It is music that can affect the sensitive mind in a way that is sometimes frightening ...
always fascinating.

Harry Revel created the basic "idea" and themes, while Leslie Baxter, arranger and
conductor, has given them appropriately unique tone color, using the mass harmonies
or human voices as unusual instrumental effects with woodwinds, strings and brass;
some without rhythm, others with a dominant, demanding beat.

In many of the numbers you will hear the Theremin — a little known member of the
musical family that is played by the motions of the hands in the air over an electronic
field. The right hand gives pitch, the left volume, yet neither comes in direct contact
with the instrument. A throbbing, almost human tone is created that has an eerie,
vibrant beauty.

The artist who plays the Theremin is Dr. Samuel J. Hoffman, whose brilliant technique
was heard in the music of "Spellbound," "Lost Weekend," "Spiral Staircase" and "The
Red House."

A word about your first hearing of "Music Out of the Moon": You cannot get its full
significance from a casual playing in a record booth, where the appeal may well be
lost. But take it home — set the stage, in the evening when you are perhaps a little
weary of the work-a-day world; its hypnotic beauty assures a unique musical
adventure.

James Last - Ännchen von Tharau bittet zum Tanz (1966)

Here we start with the "Hansi-Craze" I promised. This is hardcore, I´ll tell you. Ancient German folksongs in swingin´ rhythm. Some people (such as me) say that this is a masterpiece. And so it is. Even if you´re not old enough to enjoy this kind of music, you can still swing a little the easy way with James and his singers. So grab your grandparents and dance a little. But slooooowly... ;o)
You can get this fabulous record in three pieces, because I can only upload up to 25 Mb. Sorry for the inconvenience...

And here´s the tracklist:

01) Wem Gott will rechte Gunst erweisen
Üb' immer Treu und Redlichkeit
Ein Männlein steht im Walde

02) Sah ein Knab' ein Röslein steh'n
In einem kühlen Grunde
Wenn alle Brünnlein fließen

03) Du, du liegst mir im Herzen
Der Mai ist gekommen
Das Wandern ist des Müllers Lust

04) Ännchen von Tharau ist's
Es zogen drei Burschen

05) Lang, lang ist's her
Muß i denn
Mädele ruck, ruck, ruck

06) Horch, was kommt von draußen rein
Ein Jäger aus Kurpfalz
Freut euch des Lebens

07) Gold und Silber lieb' ich sehr
Wenn ich ein Vöglein wär'
Am Brunnen vor dem Tore

08) Steh' ich in finst'rer Mitternacht
Weißt du wieviel Sternlein stehen
Nun ade du mein lieb' Heimatland

09) Guter Mond, du gehst so stille
Ich weiß nicht, was soll es bedeuten

10) Das Lieben bringt groß' Freud
Im Krug zum grünen Kranze
Es klappert die Mühle am rauschenden Bach

Bert´s Watch (and mine...)

Here it is, Bert´s legendary watch, from the back sleeve of his album "Kaempfert '76". And mine, of course... A Rolex "Air King". The one with the most beautiful dial. I wear this one with pride to special occasions, because it honors me that Bert and me not only have the same taste in music, but in wristwatches as well. I´m sure that if I had known him personnally, we would have gone fishing while listening to great music and looking at our beautiful wristwatches. But not for the time, just for the beauty of our little gems...

James Last - Voodoo Party (1971)

Finally! I got it, YES! Thanks to Gary from Soundsational! This is really a fantastic record. Strange, when you listen to "Mr. Giant Man" or "Voodoo Ladys Love". I think they took some drugs when recording this, but what kind of? If you know what they took, please let me know...

But even if you´re still drug-free, I highly recommend this record!

Bert Kaempfert - Gallery (1974)

You all know perfectly that Bert was the best composer, arranger, conductor etc. of Germany ever and you know too, that I´m a big fan of him. I also own the same wristwatch from the 70´s that he always wore. Here´s one of his later albums: "Gallery" from the year 1974.
This one never gets old! It includes "The Entertainer" as well as the famous "For Bert", which was written by Anita Kerr to honor him and his work.

Dr. Samuel J. Hoffman & Les Baxter - Perfume Set to Music (1948)

Hi there, to you all good music lovers!

Thanks a lot for the comments, I suppose there´s a problem with rapidshare again. Since I don´t have a premium account, up- and downloads are sometimes problematic. Because I´m moving (in real life), this site will not be updated as often as it used to be.

Sorry for the broken link to the moon-music, I´ll upload it again someday soon. But here you go with another one of those series. You may know the Perfume "Jet", here´s the sound to that. Please enjoy another Doc Hoffman with Les Baxter.

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...

Walter "Wendy" Carlos - Switched-On Bach (1968)

This is a classic. Not because it´s Johann Sebastian Bach, Germany´s second best composer (right behind Bert Kaempfert), but because this is the first LP, on which Robert Moog´s new synthesizer was played. He developed it a short time before. Carlos started studing piano at the age of 6 and won a scholarship for the building of a home computer. He graduated at Columbia University, taking his M.A. in music composition with pioneers Otto Luening and Vladimir Ussachevsky at the first electronic music center in the United States. You should know him also from movie scores like "A Clockwork Orange" and "Tron". I still don´t know where the name "Wendy" came from, but here (s)he is, where the phrase on the cover "Trans-electronic Music Production" becomes a new meaning...

Michel Magne - Tropical Fantasy (1962)

This is the one I planned to post first, but sombody else was faster... But now you can still enjoy the beautiful cover... ;o)

Dick Hyman - The Man From O.R.G.A.N. (1965)

Throughout a busy musical career that got underway in the early 50s, Dick Hyman has functioned as pianist, organist, arranger, music director, and, increasingly, as composer. His versatility in all of these areas has resulted in well over 100 albums recorded under his own name and many more in support of other artists. Try to type in "Dick Hyman" at amazon or whereever you want, and you´ll see. His most famous production to people like us may be "Moon Gas" with Mary Mayo. He was an early staple of Enoch Light's Command label, for which he recorded light classical, swinging harpsichord, funky organ, and "now sound" combo albums. Here he is to delight us with some spy-themes, which were really popular at that time...

Ferrante & Teicher - Blast Off! (1958)

Arthur Ferrante and Louis Teicher were one of the best-selling easy listening acts of the '60s, offering light arrangements of easily recognizable classical pieces, movie soundtrack themes, show tunes, and similarly compatible fare. While they were enjoying success on the concert circuit, Ferrante & Teicher had been experimenting with treated pianos, influenced by the ideas of avant-garde composer John Cage. By adding paper, sticks, rubber, wood blocks, metal bars, chains, glass, mallets, and other found objects to the string beds (among other techniques), the duo was able to produce a variety of bizarre sound effects that sometimes resembled percussion instruments, and other times produced a spacy, almost electronic sound. In the latter half of the '50s, they recorded several albums in this vein for Westminster, including 1958's Blast Off!, which you can enjoy here...

Leroy Holmes - Hawaii with a Bongo Beat (1961)

In this unique recording Leroy Holmes has successfully blended two, individually distinctive types of music: the tropically melodious themes of the Hawaiian Islands, and the popular new "Nashville" beat! Leroy approached this difficult combination of musical styles with the understanding that comes with knowledge gained from a long-time intimacy with popular music. He had to mold the fiery rhythm of the bongo drum into an arrangement that would pep-up the breezy music of the Islands. The result is amazing! You hear the well loved Hawaiian melodies in real modern rhythm.

You will happily recognize your favorite Island tunes, and you may even hear a few that are unfamiliar, for LeRoy has balanced his selection of well-known numbers by including a few which are heard less frequently.

Leroy's heavy string section keeps the orchestra from sounding like a dance band, while four trombones lend real brass excitement to the music. Voices without lyrics sing along with the melodic line to give the music personality - the women sing with the strings and the men with the trombones.

Quincy Jones - Quincy Plays For Pussycats (1962)

Quincy Jones did really good music once. Long time before he produced pop-crap like Michael Jackson. This is from the same year as his famous album "Big Band Bossa Nova" with the "Soul Bossa Nova" on. A great version of "Satisfaction" and a great version of good old Germany´s Horst Jankowski´s "Eine Schwarzwaldfahrt", in English "A Walk in the Black Forest". Now, Ladies and Gentlemen, please enjoy Mr. Jones at his best, when he plays for your pussycat...

The Frank Barber Percussion - Deep Percussion (1967)

I personally only knew Frank Barber as a notorious Dixieland-performer. I can remember hits like "Icecream" ("You scream, I scream..."). Huaaaah! I´m gettin´ sick again... But this album from 1967 is pretty cool, because it features many hits from that happy-hippie-era. According to spaceagepop this album was originally released in the UK as "Happy Percussion" and was one of the last percussion showcase albums of the Space Age Pop era. This is the German release from the Polydor label. Please enjoy the multi-talented Frank Barber.

Richard Hayman - Genuine Electric Latin Love Machine (1969)

Hayman, born 1920, started at 18 as a harmonica virtuoso in Borrah Minevitch's Harmonica Rascals, then went with Leo Diamond when Diamond left to form the Solidaires. Later he worked as an arranger for the Boston Pops and he often served as a back-up conductor for Arthur Fiedler. But his best album is this, an early moog album from the year 1969. If you collect moogy stuff, then this one might interest you.

Emil Richards - New Sound Element: Stones (1966)

Emil Richards, or Emilio Radocchia, started playing xylophone at age six. Later he joined the Hartford Symphony Orchestra while in tenth grade, working under Arthur Fiedler and Fritz Mahler. He began to work around New England with Bobby Hackett, Flip Phillips, and Chris Connor. In 1959 he moved to Los Angeles where he worked with the Paul Horn Quintet, Jimmy Witherspoon, the Shorty Rogers Big Band, Lennie Bruce, and Lord Buckly. He started recording for Frank Sinatra, Nelson Riddle, Judy Garland, Sarah Vaughan, and Doris Day. This record is sort of a concept record in different ways: 1) playing around with sound elements within jazz forms 2) naming each tune after a) a different month b) a different gemstone, and 3) then playing this funny music with jazz but adding-in the incredible sounds of Dr. Irv Wilson's 22 tone-to-the-octave electronic instruments. Believe me, this is one of those great records you don´t want to miss. Please sit back and enjoy some psychedelic percussion.

Enoch Light - Brass Menagerie Vol. 2 (1969)

Now! This time it should work... Also from the year 1969, like Volume 1, is Volume 2 of Enoch´s "Brass Menagerie". I guess I don´t have to tell You about Mr. Light. Now sit back and enjoy stuff from the Musical "Hair" and especially "Happy Heart", written by our German Big Band Legend James Last in Enoch´s unique style...

Chet Atkins - Teensville (1959)

Chet Atkins was one of the most famous guitar pickers. Along with Floyd Cramer and Owen Bradley, he was one of the creators of what became known as the "Nashville sound", which paired country singers with lush orchestration and a steel guitar. Some of his best works you can find on this LP from 1959, where you can hear his metamorphosis from a mainstream country musician to a pop star. Chet died in 2001.

Frank De Vol - Portraits (1958)

Everybody knows Frank De Vol, even if you don´t know him. He was one of the busiest composers of the 50´s and 60´s and wrote more than 50 movie scores ("Guess Who's Coming To Dinner", "Pillow Talk"). But it was his work for television, that made him famous, so he wrote the themes for series such as "My Three Sons" and "The Brady Bunch". He also worked as a band leader and arranger on recordings by Vic Damone, Doris Day and Tony Bennett. Here he is with some lush arrangements of standards you can relax by. Frank died in 1999.

Mel Henke - Dynamic Adventures in Sound (1962)

This is the predecessor to "La Dolce Henke" from the same year. Not so ambiguous, but more cartoonish I think this is almost as weird as its follow-up: Cray-see stuff! Sold through the stores as a regular title, this disc nevertheless plays heavily on the description of the technical tricks and studio wizardry used to create the ground breaking effects on this record. Tracks like "Exotic Adventure (Adventure In the Steaming Tropics)" and "See The USA in Your Chevrolet" were designed to push stereo effects to the max. But now hear for yourself...

The Enoch Light Singers - Whoever You Are, I Love You (1968)

Yep, it´s Easy-Listening, but it´s very hard to listen to. Why? Have you ever listened to "Born to Be Wild" in a singer´s version? No? Now, here´s your chance to do so. But don´t come complaining, ´cause you have been warned! ;o) Anyway, great stuff from the maestro, the Doors and Tom Jones were raped too. Have fun!

The John Buzon Trio - Inferno! (1958)

Hot, hotter, hottest! I promised I would find something, and this is it. Actually this is lava! Leader of the group is John Buzon. This talented young organist comes up with some of the most astounding orchestral effects produced on the Hammond. Saxophonist Loren Holding, with his Cuban background, is responsible for the Latin American treatment of the great standards. He doubles on clarinet or flute and lends a hand with the maracas, aiding drummer Jack Russell to maintain their driving beat on the cha chas and mambos. Buzon abandoned the usual keyboard trio format, using a second lead instrument, the saxophone, instead of a bass. The result is an appealing blend of lounge and rock that swings and sizzles. Now take your seat in the hottest "Caravan" ever. And don´t forget to crank up your air-condition, ´cause otherwise you might not stand this...

Perez Prado & Rosemary Clooney - A Touch of Tabasco (1960)

This is a superb cooperation from 1960. And yes, they mean the world-famous pepper-sauce. These songs are hot, you´ll see... hear, I mean. I don´t have to say anything about Perez Prado, do I? Rosemary Clooney was an actress, TV-Show-host and singer. And a close friend of Bobby Kennedy, who was shot in 1968. She was married to the famous actor Jose Ferrer, and she is the aunt of George Clooney, but that´s not her fault... Hot rhythms, a hot voice and the bashy sound of Perez Prado, who could ask for more? More hot? Even hotter? Hmm, I´ll see what I can do... But till then, it´s Mambo-time!

Gil Trythall - Nashville Gold (1973)

This is the follow-up to his "Country Moog" album. You might wonder how anyone could possibly want to listen to weird stuff like this, and I must confess: I have no idea. Maybe country-hipsters, maybe hardcore-countryboys, I just don´t know. I guess these songs would sell pretty good as ringtones, but I´m not sure. But the more you listen to this, the more you can stand the pain. After a while, you may like this kind of music, it´s pretty dangerous. But now it´s your turn to decide: Should I? Am I a real countryboy? Well, make up your mind with Mr. Trythall...

Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass - The Brass Are Comin´ (1969)

Since many people like Herb Alpert in blogs, I will contribute another one of his works. This is an album from a TV-Special from 1969. Shortly after its release, a burned-out, personally troubled Alpert disbanded his Brass and retired from music for awhile. Indeed, stretches of this record reveal a tired group and a leader whose trumpet has lost much of its old zip. Even so, as on all TJB albums, there are several gems -- the stunning shifts in texture and tempo that enliven the worn-out "Moon River", the chugging bluegrass-tinged arrangement of Villa-Lobos' "The Little Train of the Caipira" that masquerades under the name of the title track, a haunting rendition of the Beatles' "I'll Be Back", the fast samba treatment of "Anna", which is my personal favorite from the Three Suns (you can find it on "Twilight Memories").

Elsa Popping - Delirium In Hi-Fi (1957)

Elsa Popping is actually Andre Popp from France. Why he posed as "Elsa", I don´t know. It´s nearly impossible to desribe this album, you´ve got to hear it for yourself to believe it: half speed recording of trombone, vocals, vibraphone, three flutes recorded at double speed, vocals with time delay, piano and guitars recorded at half speed with tremolo effect, backwards vocals, bassoon solo with tape echo, hiccup-like sounds played backwards, and on, and on, and on. Very experimental stuff, you see. And now put yourself in a delirium and listen to Elsa...

Les Baxter - Ports of Pleasure (1957)

This was a request again. Baxter´s orchestral fantasies evoke a time when places like Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Pacific islands were truly far off wonderlands of sensual delights. The sense that one might discover an unknown tribe or strange way of life, you can feel it all on an album like "Ports of Pleasure" from 1957. Track titles like "Tramp Steamer to Singapore" and "Monkey Dance of Bali" help to create technicolor widescreen imagery. So, when You listen to this music, you ARE there. And now just close your eyes and be there...

Enoch Light - Provocative Percussion (1959)

This is the first in a series of Provocative Percussion records under the supervision of Enoch Light. Under the direction of Terry Snyder, Light and the revolving cast known as either the Command All-Stars or simply just the All-Stars, began to experiment with extreme stereophonics, using close microphone techniques and hard-left or hard-right panning to re-create a comparatively austere sense of what could be accomplished with two distinct channels of sound. Here it is, it´s an all-time classic.

The Three Suns - Fever & Smoke (1961)

This was one of the most requested albums on my blog. Allright, what can I say more about these guys. Great innovative music, great sound, great instruments, great artists. Here they are with an album from 1961 with great versions of... guess what? Yes: "Fever" and "Smoke" and ten other great tunes. Have fun!

Leonard Nimoy - Mr. Spock´s Music From Outer Space (1967)

Weird, weird stuff. I guess nobody would like to hear Mr. Spock sing. Nobody, but... YOU, right? Okay, here he is with an album from 1967. The reason it says "music" and not "songs", is because there are five instrumentals included, which are not performed by Nimoy. Unusual, but worth listening to. Please enjoy Mr. Spocks logical sound and listen to "Music To Watch Space Girls By"...

Esquivel - To Love Again (1957)

Esquivel records are typically considered the ultimate way to show off the magic of stereo sound. It hardly seems possible that the full effect could come from a monaural recording. But his debut LP, "To Love Again", is easily his finest work. In 1954 Esquivel was
designated, with Perez Prado, the most distinguished arranger in his field. This opened the market in the U.S., where this album came out in 1957. "Nightingale", "Nocturnal", "Besame Mucho" and "Siboney" all are first-rate and can easily compete with any of Esquivel's best later work. The remainder of the album really is about as good, making it consistently excellent from start to finish. The trademark chorus is present throughout. Note that Esquivel's arrangement of "Jungle Drums" makes its first LP appearance here: It is updated on his second-best album, the stereo masterpiece "Latin-Esque". "Besame Mucho" is reworked on 1967's compilation "The Genius of Esquivel". Esquivel died in 2002...