“Rumba of Memories”  Toru Arima and his Noche Cubana  Teichiku Records (Japan)

(54 votes, average: 4.17 out of 5)

 Loading ...

“Fill Your Head With Jazz”  25 All-Time Giants of Jazz   A groovy, two-record compilation from the vaults of Columbia Records.  I had this as a kid and it introduced me to a lot of these cats.  I pulled it out this past winter to play the Lambert, Hendricks and Ross vocal of “Moanin'” for my friend.  Sadly, in my excitement, I laid it on the radiator and the remaining disk got baked and warped into an ashtray.  And I don’t smoke.  Now I’m really moanin’!

(39 votes, average: 3.62 out of 5)

 Loading ...

“Blues Soul”  of Johnny (guitar) Watson  Chess Records (1964)  One of the funkiest guitar players of all time, the legendary, original “gangster of love” here plays piano and sings standards in this jazz trio album that’s not too soulful or bluesy — Witchcraft/I Cried For You/I’ll Remember April/Polka Dots And Moonbeams//Exactly Like You/When Did You Leave Heaven/Reconsider Baby/Misty

An oddball release that doesn’t do credit to his talent (or the great Chess label catalog).   This came out during a lull in his long career – after the great 50’s releases (“Gangster of Love”, “Hot Little Mama”, “Those Lonely, Lonely Nights”) and before his 70’s comeback (“A Real Motha for Ya”, “Ain’t That A Bitch”, “Superman Lover”).

(41 votes, average: 3.88 out of 5)

 Loading ...

“Tequila” and “Popcorn” by   Eddie Platt and his Orchestra B/W “Short Shorts” and “Planet Rock” by  The Royal Teens   ABC Paramount Records (France)

(40 votes, average: 3.63 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Mirella E. Franco Trincale  “La Signora Dal Carrozziere” b/w “L’Avventura in Treno”  Fonola Records ( Italy)

(40 votes, average: 3.85 out of 5)

 Loading ...

“Buonamore e Canzoni”  Gino Maringola    PhonoType Records (Italy)

(33 votes, average: 2.67 out of 5)

 Loading ...

“Missao Sucesso”  Os Impossiveis  (Brazil)

(44 votes, average: 3.98 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Hugo and Luigi with Their Children’s Chorus  “Summer Camp Songs”  RCA Victor Records

(33 votes, average: 3.33 out of 5)

 Loading ...