A great little album of Latiny tunes from Henry Mancini – played by a very hip lineup of west coast jazzmen! The rhythms have a great mix of Latin influences and Mancini magic – the kind of grooves you'd hear on his 60s soundtracks at the time, played by a lineup that includes Bud Shank and Tom Scott on reeds, Buddy Childers and Pete Candoli on trumpets, Ray Brown on acoustic bass, Max Bennett on fender bass, Larry Bunker on percussion, and Shelly Manne on drums. The vibe is nice and relaxed – a bit more upbeat than bossa, but not as all-out as other RCA Latin sessions – thanks to Mancini's nice sense of warmth and space in the arrangements. Titles include some pretty darn cool takes on "Mission Impossible", "Fistful Of Dollars", "Magnificent Seven", "Touch Of Evil", and "Springtime For Hitler", from the film The Producers. Other titles include "Patricia", "Zacatecas", and "Las Cruces". LP, Vinyl record album

Not his most out there record, but filled with lots of nice little tracks on the Lowrey Organ. Includes a version of "Mack the Knife" that really swings, plus "Big Ben Bossa" and lots of standards, like "I Left My Heart In San Francisco", 'Fly Me To The Moon" and "Satin Doll". LP, Vinyl record album

A great little package, and way more than just the familiar exotica moments on mainstream compilations – as your guides here are Lux Interior and Poison Ivy of The Cramps – two folks who know more than plenty about the music of the farther reaches of the postwar years! And although their other collections for this label have gone way out to pull in some totally obscure material, the blend here is more measured – so that you'll get great cuts by some of the bigger exotica names, mixed with other numbers that are more unusual – and some that we wouldn't have even thought to include in such a package – all awash in sounds from the islands, tropical percussion, and even a few birdcalls and chants along the way! The 2CD set features a great range of material – and titles include "The Twisters" by Mel Henke, "Hampi" by Yma Sumac, "Mystery Of Love" by Olatunji, "Jardin De La Noche" by Robert Drasnin, "Mood For You" by Phil Moore, "Alegres Conga" by Cal Tlader, Envy" by Bill Russo, "Kele Kele" by Johnny Richards, "African Bossa Nova" by Ahmed Abdul Malik, "Tabu" by Augie Colon, "Pua Carnaeon" by Arthur Lyman, "Adventures In Paradise" by Leo Addeo, "Dance Of The Nustas" by Elisabeth Waldo, "Pagan Love Song" by Alex Stordal, "Balikpapan" by Jimmy Namaro Trio, and "Train To Ranchipur" by Markko Polo Adventurers. CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

The Latin sound is a groovy sound too – thanks to some great arrangements from the legendary Henry Mancini! The album's less a straight Latin date than it is a new approach to the grooves Mancini was laying down on his 60s soundtracks – a mix of bossa and cha cha-inspired themes that sparkle wonderfully with warm jazzy touches from a host of LA players who include Dick Nash on trombone, Harry Klee on flute, Ted Nash on alto and tenor, Jimmy Rowles on piano, Laurindo Almeida on guitar, and Gene Garf on organ – all working beautifully under Mancini's direction, with a sound that's both tight and relaxed at the same time! Lots of tracks have some nice groovy organ, which gives the arrangements a cool lively sound – and titles include "Preciosa", "Baia", "Carnavalito", "Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars", "Tico Tico", and the nice "Senor Peter Gunn", a Latin remake of Mancini's big hit! LP, Vinyl record album

A fantastic compilation of groovy tracks from the 60's, and one that we've had for years, and never tire of playing! The whole thing was put together by the genius Karminsky Brothers, and the tracks are a swirling mix of Latiny, Bossa-y, Groovy, and Now Sound material – including stuff by Serge Gainsbourg, The Gimmicks, Berry Lipman, Wilson Simonal, Ray Rivera, Roberto Delgado, and others! Two of the biggest highlights include Burt Bacharach's rare beautiful track "Something Big", which is worth the price of the CD alone – and Astrud Gilberto's great version of "Happenings". Very long, with 23 killer tracks, and a gorgeous package, too! Expensive, but one of the best things you'll buy this year! (Funky Compilations, Now Sound) CD

Late sound library grooves from the UK scene – but still pretty darn groovy! First up is Metropolis Now – a 1980 set from arranger Dick Walter, with production from Syd Dale – who clearly keeps things in the same groovy style as his own excellent work for Amphonic! Instrumentation is jazzy, but mixed with a good deal of electric funk – almost making the record sound like one of those great electrified big band albums from the mid 70s that were burning big – a groove that's even more surprising coming from an obscure sound library source at the start of the 80s! Titles include "Times Square", "Greyhound Runaround", "Vegas Venue", "Texas Turnaround", "Metropolis Now", and "Pacific Coast Highway". Otto Keller comes up with some warm grooves for Mix & Match – a set that's got the same sweet jazzy overtones as the best German sound library records from the mid 70s! There's a nice sort of sparkle to most of the tunes – some nice 60s easy and bossa influences in the music – and production and instrumentation that's much more mid 70s than you'd guess from the date of the session. Syd Dale handled production and musical direction – and titles include "Bella Vista", "Spanks", "Walk The Lonely Road", "Blue Monday", "Catwalk", "Sun City", and "East River Mist". (Sound Library, Now Sound) CD