A set that's dedicated to the famous Beatles producer George Martin, and which seeks to bring together a whole host of sounds and styles that not only influenced his work in the studio – but which also represent maybe the odder aspects of the British scene, in a way that really helps create a greater understanding of the more offbeat sounds of The Fab Four themselves! CD1 is titled In All Directions – and brings together jazz, skiffle, vocal tracks, and plenty more – in a nicely varied lineup that includes work from Basil Kirchin, John Dankworth, Bert Weedon, The Vipers, Christopher Logue, Temperance Seven, Ray Cathode, Ron Goodwin, and Cleo Laine. CD2 is titled Experiments With Pop – and has a bit of comedic moments mixed with more musical selections – in a lineup that includes Peter Sellers, John Dankworth, Flanders & Swann, Matt Monro, The Goods, Bernard Cribbins, and Ron Goodwin. CD3 is titled Comedy Surrealist, and continues that spirit – with more Goon Show material, Beyond The Fringe, The Alberts, Peter Cook & Dudley Moore, and other important pre-Monty Python acts from the UK – who often brought a lot of creativity to the production of their work in the studio. CD4 features straighter classical influences, but in a range of modes – tracks that begin with Bach, and move through Chopin, Ravel, Debussy, Holst, and even Gershwin. As always with these unusual sets on El Records, there's a lot of thought that goes into the choice of material – drawing lines between sounds that we really didn't expect! CD

One of the most obscure albums ever issued by exotica king Chaino – a set that was originally only released as a reel to reel tape, and which maybe shows an even wider sonic palette that was designed for that format! All the percussion we love on other Chaino records is firmly in place, but the orchestrations and arrangements are also richer and jazzier – almost more in an RCA Living Stereo mode, and we mean that in the best way possible – as the whole thing is really a top-shelf instrumental exotica album from the bachelor pad generation! There's a few Martin Denny elements here and there, but again the sound is wider and fuller overall – on titles that include "Mambo Italiano", "Mambo Inn", "Cuban Caper", "Caravan", "Cool Mambo", "Temptation", "Eso Es El Amor", and "An Occasional Man". CD

Very groovy organ work from the amazing Mike Dogliotti – a player with a wonderful sense of whimsy and rhythm, heard here in a key collection of jazzy groovers – tracks that are almost the Argentine answer to Walter Wanderley's classic bossa sides from the 60s! The styles here are all quite lively – with a fair bit of heavy percussion underneath Mike's lightning-fast work on the keys – organ lines that move way faster even than Wanderley's best, and which show a similarly fluid approach! And in case you're worried that you've never heard of Dogliotti before, don't worry – because the package features a whopping 27 tracks in all, including 2 complete albums' worth of music, plus bonus tracks – more than enough to help you catch up on listening! Titles include "Don Pascual", "Candela", "Dona Gregoria", "Las Mazanas", "Siga El Baile", "Tierra", "Biricunyamba", "Ahi Va La Camparsa", "Chiquilada", "Biafra", "El Candomble", and "Palo Y Tamboril". (Jazz, Now Sound) CD

Sweet 70s grooving from South America – the only album ever recorded by this great little group from Uruguay! The set was done at the end of the 70s, but it's got a style that recalls the best electric work from the US and UK at the start of the decade – sort of a blend of funky easy, jazzy instrumentals, and some of the hipper styles of the sound library scene! There's a sweetness to many of the tunes, to be sure – but they've also got a snapping rhythm that's mighty nice, and plenty of great bits on guitar, keyboards, and just a hint of funky flute and sax – plus some occasional Latin rhythms that change things up nicely. The overall sound almost reminds us of some of those early 70s Brazilian groups that would offer up their take on a European instrumental groove – such as Super Erotico – but the end result is also a bit more funky too! Titles include the great originals "El Ladron" and "Maranata" – plus versions of "Charlies Angels", "Song For My Father", "Carly Carola", and "Primal Scream". CD

A sweet set of Polish easy from the end of the 70s, but one that's got a style that's much more in the early 70s mode of other Euro territories – particularly that upbeat, optimistic work from the German economic miracle scene! Tunes have a soaring vibe that's driven by nice drums, tight horns, and these wordless female vocals that often scat along with the grooves – bringing a very lively, playful sort of quality to the whole thing – sunny-sounding, and just right for foot-tapping through a day of hard work and house cleaning! Titles include "El Arenal", "Zagubione Nadzieje", "Sul Mare", "Hacjenda", "Zloty Kask", "Stracony Dzien", "Porty Zagaslych Swiatel", and "Kolorowa Ballada". (Sound Library, Now Sound) CD