One of the grooviest records ever – a sublime blend of African percussion, soulful orchestrations, and Dorothy Ashby's amazing electric harp! By the time of this landmark album, Dorothy had been knocking around the jazz world for a number of years, but it wasn't until she hooked up with Richard Evans at Cadet Records that her sound really began to cook – breaking down genres and expectations in the trademark style of the best late 60s sides from the Chicago underground. The record's got a bit of funk, a bit of jazz, and a heck of a lot of soul – and the setting works perfectly for Dorothy's harp, giving it a lot more room to work around than some of her smaller jazz combo albums. The album includes two great originals – "Soul Vibrations" and "Afro-Harping" – both of which have a nice funky edge, and a groovy soulful bounce – and other tunes include "Lonely Girl", "Life Has Its Trials", "Look Of Love", "Come Live With Me", and a great version of Freddie Hubbard's "Little Sunflower". (Jazz, Now Sound) CD

Weird and wonderful work from the great Martin Denny – and a record that adds in some great extra elements to his core exotica groove! The depth of the album is apparent on the very first tune – "Tsetse Fly", which features a buzzing variation on the sound of the insect in the title – then shows up even more strongly through the heavier rhythms and added vocals that appear on many of the album's other tracks. There's a style here that's almost Afro-Cuban at times – but which still glides across nicely with that heavenly Denny approach to melody and rhythm! Titles include "Tsetse Fly", "Ma'Chumba", "Simba", "Raftero", "Swamp Fire", and "Cubano Chant". LP, Vinyl record album

A great little album of percussion grooves – hidden under a package that looks like it's going to be a lot more rootsy, but which ends up sounding like some of the hipper conga-heavy sessions on labels like Liberty or GNP from the late 50s. Jackson plays much of the percussion, but there's other players on the set who kick in with some other percussion instruments – and some occasional piano and flute. Tracks include "Mambo Ricci", "Conga", "Jungla", "Road March", "Shango", and "Guaguanco". (Global Grooves, Now Sound) LP, Vinyl record album

Very groovy LP of bongo-oriented tracks conducted by Les Baxter for "young America" (or so says the label!) The overall feel is nice and jazzy, and the tracks have a nice snapping bongo sound. Tracks include "Reverberasia", "Bustin the Bongos", "Brazilian Bash", and "Afro-Deesia" – and they all sound as great as the titles might imply. LP, Vinyl record album

A wonderful bit of exotica from Tito Puente – an album done in collaboration with producer Marty Gold, and featuring a highly percussive sound that Gold himself was exploring on his own albums of the period! There's a heck of a lot of percussion on the set – in styles that mix both traditional Afro-Cuban modes with more exotic strands of rhythm – crafting a tapestry of sound that makes the album one of our favorites from Tito's years at RCA. Titles include "The Ceremony of Tambo", "Son Montuno", "Guaguanco", "Jungle Holiday", and "Dance Of The Headhunters". (Latin, Now Sound) CD

Wonderful exotic work from George Shearing – a mixture of jazz piano, Latin percussion, and lyrical guitar and vibes – all intertwined beautifully in that unique groove that really set new standards at the time! The album's got plenty of jazz, but also a nice exotic twist too – thanks to the hip instrumentation – which has George balancing perfectly between a few key spots of American musical taste of the time – and finding a rich new territory of his own! Titles include "All Or Nothing At All", "Dearly Beloved", "Juana Palangana" "Afro #4", "Magic", "Mambo Balahu", "This Is Africa","Mambo Balahu", "You Stepped Out On A Dream" and "Estampa Cubana". (Jazz, Now Sound) LP, Vinyl record album

With selections by Ray Anthony, Yma Sumac, Billy May & His Afro Cubans, Les Paul, Hollywood Bowl Symphony, Concert Art Percussionists, Ballet Theatre Orchestra, Hollywood String Quartet, and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Liner notes written by Charles Fowler. LP, Vinyl record album

Music from Augie Colon, Miguelito Valdes & His Orchestra With Machito & His Cubans, Xavier Cugat featuring Lina Romay, Yma Sumac, Hugo Montenegro, Perez Prado, the John Buzon Trio, Lenny Dee, Orizaba & His Orchestra, Richard Hayman, Sir Julian, Belmonte & His Afro-American Music, and Duke Ellington. CD