Jack Costanzo – Mr. Bongo Has Brass 1956 (Zephyr Records)

Label : Zephyr Records

Value : 

Mr. Bongo Has Brass shows all the signs of the Kenton influence, but the solo Costanzo is free to crank up the bongos far beyond his "Bongo Riff" moment with Kenton. The result is similar to "crime jazz" -- tightly arranged but very dramatic and suspenseful. Camp though it is, the sheer impact and tonal variety of the bongos make it easy to see why bongos had their own "craze," just like the ukulele and guitar. That said, the only really spectacular thing about this session is the sound. "Barney Google" ("Baia" with absurd lyrics), "El Diablito," and the crime/film noir classic "Man with the Golden Arm" are the best cuts. Among the other interesting cuts are a Latinate treatment of "Bei Mir Bist du Schoen" and "Burley-Q Bongo," a burlesque (the music of jazzmen on hard times). It is a great introduction to the many facets of Mr. Bongo.

Taste :

Jack Costanzo - Mr. Bongo Has Brass (full album)

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By Electric Looser

Herb Alpert – Rise 1979 (A&M)

Label : A&M

Value :

A whole new level of genius for Herb Alpert – a record that's light years away from his earlier work with the Tijuana Brass, and which has the trumpeter stepping strongly into the world of smooth jazzy fusion! The title track here went platinum the minute it was released – and became an end-of-the 70s instrumental anthem that seemed to drift out of speakers around the country. The rest of the album's pretty great too – built on the modes explored by Donald Byrd, Freddie Hubbard, and other soulful fusion players of the 70s but cast out with a bit more drama overall.

Taste :

Herb Alpert - Rise 

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By Electric Looser

Peter Herbolzheimer Rhythm Combination & Brass & Inga Rumpf - Hip Walk 1976 (Polydor)

Label : Polydor

Value :

This is a classic. This powerful mid seventies Jazz Funk and Fusion album is featuring German singer Inga Rumpf. Songs on the album are written by Herbie Hancock, Al Jarreau, Stevie Wonder and Peter Herbolzheimer himself. Some songs from this very album were sampled by Hip Hop producers worldwide and the original vinyl LP is quite rare these days and an collectors item for every record digger and vinyl aficionado.

Taste :

Peter Herbolzheimer Rhythm Combination & Brass & Inga Rumpf - Butterfly

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By Electric Looser