For those who dare… Series 2000. (More on Series 2000 as additional research comes in. Right now what we know is limited to 1) it started in 1959, and ended in 1966.) Side note, check out that Murder, Inc. cover! It just made my want list. The Groove’s most wanted!
Tag Archives: records
How to Ignore the Incoming Storm…
For the saddest (and most abhorrent) day in this nation’s modern day history, let’s drown our sorrows in, and (attempt to) ignore the incoming storm of racist ignorance with Bikinis and Bongos. Because, let’s face it… heavy, heavy drugs won’t be near enough to get us through the next 1461 days.
A Match Made in Punk Rock Heaven
Days like today are exponentially made worse by the troubling fact that LA’s best punk rock bar no longer exists. Oh, what I wouldn’t give for a Liquid Kitty and some Lawndale right about now. RIP Liquid Kitty.
The Sound of the Seventies
The Timmy Vig Orchestra’s 1968 The Sound of the Seventies boasts a very presumptuous title… not to say it wasn’t completely spot on (redundant, I know… but I’m sticking with it). Anyway, I was going to dive into this elaborate concoction about how this is how the seventies SHOULD have sounded and blah, blah, blah, but then I ran into personal, and very time consuming issues. I’ll have to circle back on this one, because she’s an essential grab.
Havana, 3 A.M.
Havana, 3 A.M. is another fundamental and necessary Space Age Pop album from the late 1950s / early 1960s, or so spaceagepop.com would have you believe from their 10 Basic SAP Albums, my current checklist. This Afro-Cuban collection, a “New Orthophonic” High Fidelity Recording, spans 12 Mambo-tastic tracks and is sure to get you on (or off) your feet, regardless of the time of day. Havana, 3 A.M. was Perez Prado and His Orchestra’s fifth album, released in 1956 on RCA Victor (LPM-1257), and is a perfect place for any up-and-coming Space Age Pop-stronaut to start. Happy hunting, kids.
Turntable Accessories
I’m not in the habit of displaying someone else’s work, but this Amoeba flyer hit all the criteria. Does it showcase a turntable? Yup. Does it include a record? Yes. Ok, how about a cat? Yes, sir. Done and done.
Prowl
Finally got my red vinyl copy of On the Prowl by Rocket from the Crypt. I’d stupidly passed it up at Amoeba the last time I was there. $35 and something like 6 months ago. Lucky for me it was still there on Saturday, and the price had dropped to $30. Not bad considering roughly 100 – 200 were pressed. Pette has it valued between $75 – $100, so not a bad find.
The Dot Records Customer Service Plan
Presented below, in its entirety, is the Dot Records Customer Service Plan, as found on one of their (early 1960s?) inserts. Enjoy.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO OUR CUSTOMERS
Dear Customer:
Have you ever asked your record dealer for a Dot album and found that it is not in stock? If so, we’d like to tell you about the Dot Customer Service Plan and how it works.
If your dealer does not have the Dot album of your choice, ask him to use the Dot Customer Service Plan postage-paid post cards to order that album directly from Dot Records in Hollywood. Your order will be sent to him by return mail, and you will be notified of its arrival at your dealer’s by post card. Thus, your dealer gets credit for the sale even though he did not have the album in stock. Support your local dealer by availing yourself of this plan.
Sound Effects Volume 9
Some days, not all days, are good days for sound effects. Functioning more as a stock audio library than a casual dinner party favorite, and in this case, volume 9 of such, Authentic Sound Effects (created and produced by Jac Holzman) is your one-stop shop for the following (but not limited to) exciting, and necessary sounds: Sonar Pings, Helicopter Start Up and Take Off, Hospital Waiting Room, Turnstile, Jet Airliner (Jed & Lina) Interior, Geiger Counter, Sonar Pings, Avalanche, Whip Cracks, and of course, the Good Humor Truck. Tickle your imagination and check out Authentic Sound Effects Volume 9. You never know when that bellowing Building Demolition sound will come in handy.
Volume 2
Released in 1959 (a pattern… it’s beginning to develop!), Terry Snyder and the All Stars (with production and direction from label owner, Enoch Light) released volume 2 in a four volume series titled, Persuasive Percussion. Surprise, surprise, Space Age Pop a plenty on this series, and v2 was my first acquisition from the bunch. Had for a cool $0.92 (yes, that’s correct), Persuasive Percussion Volume 2 has gotten heavy play since the recent monetary transaction, and comes highly, no, intergalactic-ly recommended.
Pele, and the Legend thereof
The carousel of Space Age Pop continues to spin over here at The Prudent Groove. Next up, 1959’s The Legend of Pele from Arthur Lyman. “More birds?” asks my wife as the first tracks spins. Bird sounds were (apparently) a big thing in the late 1950s. Exotic sounds (and covers) of just about every kind were big just before the boom of the sonic British Invasion. This era, and this uncategorizable genre (Space Age Pop is a modern term) is a whirlwind of toe-tapping, bird chirping grooves that screams for unforgotten attention, that which it is currently, and diligently receiving from our cabinet hi-fi.
A New World of Sound on DECCA
It’s been a while since we’ve seen a new Decca insert. This one, from a 1963 album by Irving Fields Trio features a rather minimal Jazz section, but boasts a hefty sum by both Bing Crosby (titled Bing’s Hollywood) and Al Jolson. The Mood Music section is where I’m going to spend my time cherry picking, but there is plenty for even the novice listener to explore.
I Get a Kick Out of Porter
I don’t know much of Bushkin outside of his 1958 album, I Get a Kick Out of Porter, and what little I know about him I learned from the back album jacket. Aside from being an acclaimed songwriter and composer, apparently he was an avid jet flyer as well. One could gather as much from the cover photo, but one can also chalk this late 50s album up to “heavy cheese” or, at least that’s was my thought when I picked it up at the local record shop a few days ago. Ok, now to the music. I Get a Kick Out of Porter is energetic, late 50s jazz piano. Sophisticated, but not violent. Like with many other late 50’s jazz-fused Space Age Pop, it’s perfect living room music for evenings with a loved one. I bought it for the cover, but I’ll keep it for the vigor.
The Eight Questions Most Often Asked about Stereo Records
The flip side to Thursday’s Full Dimensional Stereo insert from Capitol Records is this beautiful and informative breakdown of Capitol’s Full Dimensional Stereo sound, or as they state, The Eight Questions Most Often Asked about Stereo Records. Have a read, enjoy the mid-century art, and don’t forget to take notes… there will be a quiz at the end of the week.
I Want to Be Happy Cha Cha’s
It’s Saturday, and time for Cha Cha. I’m sorry, didn’t you know? Nevertheless, the glorious weekend is here, which is celebration enough for dancing. I Want to Be Happy Cha Cha’s by Enoch Light and the Light Brigade (gee that sounds great) offer a spectacular blister-popping dance party with this, their magnificent 1959 album. Enjoy your weekend, kids!
Heart on a Sleeve, Soul on a Chest
Yes, even t-shirts need a day of rest… or a violent cleaning. To the Rocket from the Crypt and Kids in the Hall fans out there, happy Friday.
Full Dimensional Stereo
Pimping the sensuous, splashy stereo sound to a mass of minions mothering mono was a popular venture in the dawn of this new recording and distribution era. Many vibrant inserts painstakingly detailing this new process were produced, such as this from Capitol Records from the late 50s. It’s an interesting feat to fancy a world where this (by today’s standards) common technique was the shiny new toy on the shelf. I’m gratified that so many labels of the time spent so much on promoting this recording method, which now only seem to exist stuffed inside an indiscriminate album jacket at the thrift store. Beauty, is indeed, in the eye (and ear) of the beholder.
The Drunken Penguin
Intoxicate your ears with this furry little squirt, The Drunken Penguin. Having been searching for this damn album for longer than I’m willing to admit, I’ve, in the process, acquired a few other ragtime, saloon-style piano records from Mr. Fabric, and am a much wiser, and well-rounded man as the result. Bent Fabric… (get to) know him… (get to) love him. This album was my introduction to the greatness that is Bent Fabric, and I implore you all to pour yourselves a heavy, taxi-calling glass.
Provocative Piano
If only for the intoxicating album cover, one should check out Dick Hyman’s explosive, Provocative Piano. Released in 1960, this organ-dancing, cool-man’s-groove music will tickle your fancy just as easily as it tickles the permeating plastic keys of Dick’s outrageous organ. One listen and you’ll get exactly what I’m jivin’ at, boss. Enjoy, and tell ’em the Groove sent’cha!
Demand Command
1950s audiophiles loved Command Records, mainly for their practice of recording music to 35mm film (new for the era), so it’s no doubt the label showed a little audio snobbery from time to time.
For discriminating people who desire the finest in sound… always – demand Command
The Prudent Groove 