Teasing the Korean

Never heard of them. Thanks for sharing.

I like this album, but then again I'm a sucker for crime jazz, so I'm biased.

Les Baxter/Harry Revel/Dr. Samuel Hoffman - Music Out of the Moon - Capitol (turquoise, mono)

Alvin, Simon and Theodore were named after Liberty Records' Al Bennett, Si Waronker and Ted Keep.

Mark Isham's soundtrack to this film was better than I expected. And better than the film itself.

And here is "Moon Moods" from "Music Out of the Moon:" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nv-OLaZO06E

Here are two tracks from Russ Garcia's "Fantastica:" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6t-7u7iIjY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-oH_HolBFM

In the era of US postwar instrumental mood music, a number a space-themed albums were released. The best of these featured striking, novel combinations of orchestral instruments and tastefully-integrated electronic effects. The selection of tunes could include space-inspired original compositions, or such otherworldly standards as "Out of This World," "Stardust," or "The Moon was Yellow." Of course, these albums reflected the national interest in futurism and space exploration. This sub-genre has retroactively been dubbed "Outer Space Exotica" by many of its enthusiasts. The aforementioned "Music Out of the Moon" (Capitol, 1950) by Les Baxter, Harry Revel and Dr. Samuel Hoffman is the earliest example of outer space exotica. There are probably only about 15 or 20 LPs (not including soundtracks) that fully meet the criteria for this genre. I have been collecting these LPs for many years. Among enthusiasts of this sub-genre, there is a fair amount of consensus regarding the best of these outer space albums. Typically, two albums top the list, and these are also my two favorites. Here they are: Russ Garcia - Fantastica (Liberty, 1959). Arranger extraordinaire Russ Garcia composed an original suite of space-themed music for this LP. The music is arranged for percussion, brass and woodwinds, with electronic effects featured in the intros and during key sections of the compositions. The gorgeous track "Venus," featuring combinations of vibes and alto flutes is the most seductive tune on the album. The stereo version of "Fantastica" has been reissued recently on CD on Basta Records. Russ Garcia supervised the mono mix of the album, while Ted Keep of Liberty Records did the stereo mix. There are distinctive differences between the electronics on the two albums. Trivia: The voice doing the countdown at the beginning of the album is Liberty label-mate David Seville, a.k.a. Alvin, Simon, and Theodore (the latter of which was named after Liberty engineer Ted Keep). Frank Comstock - Project Comstock: Music from Outer Space (Warner, 1962). Arranger Frank Comstock (perhaps best known for his work with the Hi-Los) arranged this album of original compositions and space-themed standards. The instrumentation includes electric violin, the Paul Tanner electro-theremin, novachord, hammond organ, electric guitar, bass, harp, two percussionists, five woodwinds, five trombones, and four cellos. The version of "Out of This World" by Harold Arlen is definitive. Are there any other enthusiasts of outer space exotica on Organissimo???

On this 40th anniversary of the Apollo Moon Landing, I thought I'd share the following: "...Notoriously taciturn first man on the moon Neil Armstrong reveals his choice of fly-time music in a book that just been published. And his musical tastes open up undreamt of connections to Russian government research projects, Soviet agents and Communist propaganda films. Moon Dust by Andrew Smith is a new study of how the lives of the Apollo astronauts were changed by their lunar experience. Most of the nine surviving astronauts agreed to be interviewed for the book, but true to form the first man on the moon did not. But in an email exchange Armstrong identified the cassette of ' strange electronic-sounding music' that fellow Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins had reported him taking to Luna. The cassette in question was transcribed from Neil Armstrong's own LP of Music Out of the Moon featuring Dr Samuel Hoffman..." http://www.overgrownpath.com/2006/03/neil-...eveals-his.html

His mid 60s Columbia albums are real hit and miss. Some great stuff and some absolutely phoned-in performances of substandard material.

"Moanin" on side one (Mingus tune, not Bobby Timmons) is my favorite on this album.

Mingus - Blues and Roots - Atlantic (stereo, green & red label) My first Mingus album, I bought it with my busboy tip money when I was 16. Three years ago.

Thanks Jack. I have "Tin Tin Deo" on a comp. I asked about this once in a separate thread, and there are apparently two CDs on which it is paired with an early Jazz Messengers BN 10". It's on my radar but I haven't picked it up yet. Thanks for the reminder!

I have lots of Latin and Latin jazz, and lots of hard bop; but I'm curious to know if there are any Afro Cuban hard bop gems from the late 40s, 50s and 60s that may not be on my radar. It seems like these albums often slip through the cracks in discussions. I'm talking small group stuff here, with more complex harmony and intense melodic lines augmented with really killer percussion. Examples would be Kenny Dorham's "Afro Cuban" and Sabu's "Jazz Espagnole." To my ears, there is a real difference between these kind of sessions and the straight-ahead jazz sessions where they pasted in a conga player thumping on the 2, 4 & and-of-4. What fits the bill?

The US mono Help was a fold-down from the stereo. You need a UK copy to get the real mono mixes.

Played "Leyte" and "Black Orchid" at our gig tonight and mentioned Cal's birthday. One of my musical idols.

I Love Lucy I Dream of Jeannie Bewitched

The Afro Blues Quintet - New Directions - Mira (stereo)

Happy birthday. Just recently spun "Along Comes Cal" on Verve (mono). This one eluded me for a long time.

Allen, will your set include all the recommendations that have been made so far?

Hit the thrift stores and flea markets, man! That's where to buy vinyl in Florida!

These are great recommendations so far. Thanks all!

Thanks for clarifying, but I really don't know the subtle differences between delta blues and country blues, or other acoustic blues from this era. So, don't leave out good suggestions if I don't know what I'm asking for. If that makes sense!

Thanks all! This is just the kind of info I'm looking for. Chuck, thanks for that link. Hopefully JAW will chime in and have some ideas of where to start.

I've always been intrigued by this genre (or genres) but have almost nothing and know very little. I have the 2-disc Robert Johnson set and that's about it. I suppose I should get that Harry Smith anthology, though I realize it contains more than simply blues. (Being that genres don't exist in a vacuum, I am open to related genres on the cusp of blues). I'm NOT looking for any Chicago or electric blues, and I'm not looking for any contemporary or recent artists. I AM looking for CD recommendations for any of the following: Stuff from, say, the 20s or 30s that was originally on 78; Either commercial or field recordings; Various artists collections, or collections devoted to major individual artists; In the case of artists with long careers that spanned the 78 and hi-fi eras, I am open to the later hi-fi recordings (if they're good) in addition to the early stuff. I realize that this is a vast genre. I really want to start out with the CREAM OF THE CROP stuff, the cornerstones of a delta blues collection (to the degree that there is consensus). Thanks in advance for your input.