What I Bought at Dusty Groove
For Christmas, I received a $50 gift certificate at
Dusty Groove America. Thank you, Santa! This is what I ended up getting:
Nino Nardini and Roger Roger
Jungle Obsession
Pulp Flavor [France] reissue of 1971 LP
Nino Nardini and Roger Roger were twin titans of library music, supplying mood pieces for countless movies and television productions. 'Jungle Obsession' is a rarity of the genre - a complete, cohesive album centered around the idea of a magical jungle. Their approach here was late-period Exotica with a little funkiness, similar to Les Baxter's Que Mango! The end result is atmosperic, crystalline a-go-go music that wouldn't sound out of place at Disney World's Tahitian resort.
Various Artists
Cafe Apres Midi: Olive
Universal [Japan] compilation, 2000
The best mix discs ever? On the Cafe Apres Midi series, compiler Toru Hashimoto delves into the most obscure and eclectic tracks to achieve one overriding mood - summery, sweet, jazzy and impossibly hip. The Olive edition is basically the sexy Brazilian ladies (Gal Costa; Astrud Gilberto; Elis Regina) competing with the swinging French chickies (Catherine Deneuve; Claudine Longet; Brigitte Bardot), ending in a draw.
Barbara Randolph
The Collection
Spectrum [UK] compilation, 2003
Barbara Randolph released only two singles on Motown subsidiary Soul records, neither a hit. Thirty plus years later, she finally gets her own compilation with 15 (!!) previously unreleased songs joining the singles. The newly unearthed material is not especially outstanding, but Ms. Randolph keeps it funky and exciting with several interesting covers (such as a smokin' rendition of "The Look of Love"). Nice; not essential.
The Free Design
Heaven/Earth
Light in the Attic [US] reissue of 1969 LP
The Free Design must be the most underrated group ever. This album is a good example of their gorgeous harmony folk-pop - mellow and groovy but with sharp songwriting that has a playful, witty edge. The Light In The Attic label is reissuing the F.D. catalog with beautiful remastering, neat packaging, and unexpectedly good bonus songs. I'm eagerly awaiting others later this year.
Posted by mhinrichs at January 19, 2004 03:42 PM
