One of the more string-heavy sessions in RCA's Stereo Action series, but still worthy of the dynamic style that made the Stereo Action titles some of RCA's best easy recordings from the 60s! Marty's got orchestrations here that are a bit quirkier than usual – making good use of the stereo effects to shift things back and forth, picking out some odd instruments from the rest of the pack, and even throwing in the odd chorus vocal – which comes off nicely in such a setting. Titles include "High On A Windy Hill", "Out Of Nowhere", "It's Magic", "That Old Black Magic", "I've Got The World On A String", and "Little Sir Echo" – a great number with dreamy voices! LP, Vinyl record album

Henri Rene and his orchestra accompany Eartha on this record named after her 1956 autobiography. There is an tiny excerpt from her book on the back cover but the songs don't seem to necessarily reflect her life story. It's a nice collection of some relatively tame tunes in that throaty Earth Kitt style. Titles include "Oggere," "Jonny," "Lazy Afternoon," "Lisbon Antigua," "Mademoiselle Kitt" and "Just An Old Fashioned Girl." (Vocalists, Now Sound) LP, Vinyl record album

Insane! This is a totally weird album of messed-up funky grooves, played by the enigmatic Pool-Pah rock group, with arrangements by Rupert Holmes (of "Pina Colada" fame!) The music is a weird mix of spare moogy instrumentals and flanged-out vocal tracks designed to accompany a strange film called The Flasher – and although the general concept of the film and music seem incredibly stupid, the overall sound is pretty darn great! The album includes the monster slow-moving break track "Sour Soul", plus other nice funky and moogy tracks, like "Flight", "Two Way Road", and "Flasher Theme". Incredibly obscure, and the kind of rare break record you dig for for years! (Soundtracks, Now Sound) LP, Vinyl record album

A great collaboration between Perez Prado and trumpeter Shorty Rogers – one in which Rogers' solos sparkle brilliantly over the top of Perez's tight Latin rhythms – all in a style that's as moody as it is evocative and rhythmic! Side one features the extended "Voodoo Suite" – a side-long track that builds nicely on rootsy Latin rhythms that are much freer than Prado's pop work of the 50s – and which features a growing jazz horizon at the edges, filled with players who include Bud Shank on alto and flute, Bob Cooper on tenor, Shelly Manne on drums, and Pete Candoli on trumpet – in a larger section underneath Shorty Rogers' solos. Side two features shorter tracks recorded a year later – a bit more in the standard Prado mode, but still with a really dynamic feel, and contributions from jazz players like Candoli and Rolf Erikson on trumpets, Willie Maiden on tenor, and Jay Hill on trombone. Titles include "Music Makers", "In The Mood", "St. James Infirmary", and "Jumpin At The Woodside". (Latin, Now Sound) LP, Vinyl record album

A crazy album of funky tracks from Lalo Schifrin – very different than most of his other jazz and bossa work! This set's got some very tripped out styles that mix together funky backings, jazzy riffing, and even some nice electronics – a sweet little groove that's even more wild and hip than even the best of Schifrin's soundtrack work from the 60s! Some tunes certainly show the deft talent for arranging woodwinds and rhythms that first caught the ears of so many listeners on famous soundtracks – but in the setting of this record, away from any directorial needs, Lalo's also free to explore some groovier music ideas – and he really lets loose tremendously as the set rolls on! The titles alone should tell you the feel of the record – with names like "Secret Code", "Dissolving", "Vaccinated Mushrooms", "Wheat Germ Landscapes", and "How To Open at Will The Most Beautiful Window". (Jazz, Now Sound) LP, Vinyl record album

An unusual session in the 50s Bethelehm catalog – one that features work by pianist/arranger John Towner Williams, based around a selection of Harold Arlen tunes, and set to a variety of larger backings that include west coast players Herb Geller, Milt Bernhardt, and Gene Cipriano! The style here is heavy on the trombones – using a brace of them on most tracks to create a fluid sense of tonal color – almost in a post-Kai & JJ way, but a bit more traditional overall. There's still some nice space for solo work, despite the larger arrangements on the set – and titles include "My Shining Hour", "Let's Fall In Love", "Stormy Weather", "Hit The Road To Dreamland", "Get Happy", and "That Old Black Magic". (Jazz, Now Sound) CD