The Ramblers In Brussel 1945-1948 Rue Des Radis

 

The Ramblers were a Dutch dance orchestra, formed in 1926 by Theo Uden Masman. They were very popular in The Netherlands with a repertory of jazz and popular tunes, and recorded backing Coleman Hawkins in 1935 and 1937, Benny Carter in 1937 and Freddy Johnson  in 1937-1938.

In 1942 German law forced the group to change its name to Het Dansorkest. The group continued to be led by Masman until 1964, when it changed its name to VARA-Dansorkest (VARA after Verenigde Arbeiders Radio, on which it played) and its repertoire consisted entirely of popular music. In the mid-1980's they were led by Marcel Thielemans.

Other spin-offs of The Ramblers included Het Ramblers Quintet and Het Ramblers Tonette Trio.

The Ramblers In Brussel

Manhattan Transfer...Jukin'...debut album from 1971

Manhattan Transfer's first album from 1971 has been described as "a bit rugged and unpolished but with a sense of humor".

This album is a collection of eclectic styles (primarily big band swing plus country, rock, pop) featuring a tremendous range of vocals and instrumentation. The production of this album is beyond words. A great opportunity for young musicians to experience music that they would never be exposed to through the mediums of radio and video. You be the judge.

1. Chicken Bone Bone
2. I Need A Man
3. You're A Viper
4. Fair And Tender Ladies
5. Rosianna
6. Sunny Disposish
7. Java Jive
8. One More Time Around Rosie
9. Guided Missiles
10. Roll Daddy, Roll

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Ultra Lounge Vol. 4..Bachelor Pad Royale...Midnight Music for Cool Cats

Jazzy, Snazzy Tunes for your Space-Age Bachelor Pad!

Oh, this one really swings! Quite possibly the best in the Ultra Lounge series, this one never fails to please. From the tickling ivories opening the "Theme from Route 66" (a song that makes you feel like you've gone back in time) to the fading wails of "Melancholy Serenade" (Jackie Gleason's theme song), you're in for a fun, cool, sexy ride!

People say "Sexe" is a little too obvious. Well, yeah, it is, but the real fun comes during the sax solo, which has the power to ease you into a relaxing calm...but not too relaxed! On the other end of the spectrum is the rocking, rollicking "Night Train" which (along with the suspicious and menacing "A Shot in the Dark" and the superior "Street Scene '58") is the most blasting tune that disturbs the general ease and quiet of the disc. Although Sam Butera's double-shot of "The Boulevard of Broken Dreams" and "Fever" isn't so meek, either. "Boulevard" is Sam at his raspy best, and "Fever" is no less than hilarious (listen to those deep-voiced guys chanting "Feva!")

Martin Denny turns in an excellent "Harlem Nocturne." "Topsy" takes it nice 'n easy here on an organ (sounds great), but is shown up by Cy Coleman's lovely "Playboy's Theme," from the Playboy show in the '60s. A bachelor's anthem accompanied by a soft touch on the ride cymbal and a gracefully jazzy piano, this tune is just as can be expected--smooth, silky, and sexy, leisurely floating along on gossamer strings.

See also Bossa Novaville on this blog.

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Ultra Lounge Vol.14 Bossa Novaville ... various artists..Cool and Swinging Lounge Sounds

So Cool..So Sexy..So Rio...So Ipanema

Flying down to Rio? No need to. These 18 velvet Brazilian Bossa-beaters are smoother than scratch-free Formica and cooler than a Frigidaire. 

In the 50's and 60s, dancing the Bossa Nova was the most cool and fashionable thing to do and be seen doing! There were many clubs where you could dance to it and Bossa Nova parties were all the rage.

Just the thing for your next poolside party. So, stick around, you're in Sambatown. Suave!

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Vintage Charleston..Original Recordings 1924 - 1928

The Charleston is a dance named for the harbor city of Charleston, South Carolina. The rhythm was popularized in mainstream dance music in the United States by a 1923 tune called "The Charleston" by composer/pianist James P. Johnson which originated in the Broadway show Runnin' Wild and became one of the most popular hits of the decade. Runnin' Wild ran from 29 October 1923 through 28 June 1924. The peak year for the Charleston as a dance by the public was mid-1926 to 1927.

While the Charleston as a dance probably came from the "star" or challenge dances that were all part of the African-American dance called Juba, the particular sequence of steps which appeared in Runnin' Wild were probably newly devised for popular appeal. "At first, the step started off with a simple twisting of the feet, to rhythm in a lazy sort of way (this could well be the Jay-Bird). When the dance hit Harlem, a new version was added. It became a fast kicking step, kicking the feet, both forward and backward and later done with a tap." Further changes were undoubtedly made before the dance was put on stage.

The Charleston was one of the dances from which Lindy Hop and Jazz Roots developed in the 1930s. A slightly different form of Charleston became popular in the 1930s and '40s, and is associated with Lindy Hop. In this later Charleston form, the hot jazz timing of the 1920s Charleston was adapted to suit the swing jazz music of the '30s and '40s. This style of Charleston has many common names, though the most common are Lindy Charleston, Savoy Charleston, '30s or '40s Charleston and Swing(ing) Charleston. In both '20s Charleston and Swinging Charleston, the basic step takes eight counts and is danced either alone or with a partner.

This compilation captures the sounds of the 20's craze about as well as anything. Great titles, especially by Paul Whiteman, "I'd Rather Charleston" by Fred and Adele Astaire with George Gershwin accompanying, "South Wind", by Roger Wolfe Kahn's Orchestra, a great arrangement and spirited playing, plus tracks from Jelly Roll Morton and George Olsen among others. A well remastered collection of hard-to-find recordings.