Teasing the Korean

Paulo Alencar - Jazza Nova - Atco (mono).

Chewy is telling me that I'm nuts.

Have the 60s and 70s Eurovisions made it to DVD? I would LOVE to see these. Some decent stuff made it during this period. On a related note, does anyone other than me collect those annual "San Remo" albums? Usually horrible stuff except for a couple of tracks. Always a stunning Italian bathing beauty on the covers, though.

I love it when the needle drops down on a pristine turquoise or rainbow label mono Capitol LP. I won't hear a bit of surface noise, but there is always that opening "whoosh," reassuring me that I'm in for a superior listening experience. It never lets me down. I always wondered if this noise has anything to do with Capitol's patented "T rim."

Jack Marshall - 18th Century Jazz - Capitol (mono). BTW, the version of Kaper's "Invitation" on this album is STUNNING... Instruments throughout are Marshall on guitar, with harpsichord, bass, percussion, flute and cello.

Percussion for Lovers - Crazy album on UNI of late 60s mellow now sound hits played by woodwinds, harp, and rhythm section with a variety of exotic percussion. It sounds like a European erotic film soundtrack. Top notch stuff. Actually, side 2 is top notch. Side one is pretty lame.

Traffic- Mr. Fantasy - US version on UA with different cover art.

That may be the greatest album cover ever.

According to Ruy Castro's book, she was not very highly regarded initially, and some, including Jobim, thought she yelled too much for their taste. I have some of her 60s records and her vocal delivery is different than what I hear on her 70s releases.

Martin Denny/Si Zentner - Les Baxter's Exotica Suite - Liberty Premiere Series, Mono

A Man Called Flintstone OST on Hanna Barbera Records! Absolutely top notch crime/spy jazz. And in mono, no less!

I believe you. How much will it cost me? Will an inexpensive mono cartridge do anything for me that the mono button wil not do? And I mean inexpensive.

I've heard Axel Stordahl pronounced both Stor - DAHL and STOR - dl Which is it?

Having poked around on various websites, I've decided that a mono cartridge in my price range isn't worth it. I'm sticking with the mono button. If those with a greater amount of disposable income want to buy a mono cartridge and/or get plastic surgery, that's their business.

Capitol Jazz/Blue Note would reissue this if they had any remaining sense of style or adventure: http://cgi.ebay.com/PROVOCATIF-1959-exotic...1QQcmdZViewItem

My favorite volume is the "Hashish Party," with groovy eastern/bossa numbers... The Sexploitation volume is good, too, featuring tracks from the soundtrack of "the Adventurers," by Quincy Jones and Jobim!!!

This series does/did exist on vinyl, but get the CDs. Why? Certain (rare) tracks included are mastered from vinyl, so you're doubling the surface noise if you do vinyl.

I've heard Axel Stordahl pronounced both Stor - DAHL and STOR - dl Which is it?

Thanks for posting that article. If I had unlimited income and space, I would no doubt spring for one of these mono cartridges. That said, the only one I can see myself realistically buying would be a lower-end Grado or Ortofon. And I'm not convinced it would do much more for the sound than the mono button on my amplifier.

You're absolutely right. I have several of the "Mood Mosaic" collections and they never disappoint. BTW, I don't have a single Mosaic box set, and as long as they fail to reproduce the original cover art, I never will.

Not to drag this out, but on th Steve Hoffman forum, SH says to simply go with the mono button or Y adapter and save your money on the mono cartridge...

I really love Claus Ogerman's arranging also. If I remember correctly, this album doesn't have much latin rhythm. Definitely on the quieter side. Not one I spin very often. It does have some nice moments though.

I can't get enough of Cal Tjader these days. I've had 5 CDs in the shuffle play for days now... "Soul Burst" is a real favorite. I'm not a huge Chick Corea fan, but I love his playing on that album.

Boy are you going to be disappointed. Wrong 'em boyo.

Overlooked gem. The 2 percussion numbers rule!!!