Customer Reviews

Bottoms Up: Ultra Lounge 18

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I got this for Christmas and listened to it on New Year's eve. I had a blast! This is fun music. This is music for when you are doing "naughty" things like smoking a cigar, having a martini, or having some really spicy salsa dip on some greasy potato chips. Every track on this album screams, "Hey, let's have some fun!!" This music helps you not to take life too seriously and is a perfect antidote to stress. I am definitely buying more albums in this series after hearing this one. I am getting so tired of pop songs about depressing subjects such as anger and alienation sung by overpaid spoiled brats. This music is about good times and getting together with other people for food, cocktails, dancing and romance. This music was what our parents and grandparents (if they were cool) bought and it is time to unleash it again!! From now on, color me green - as in lounge lizard!

This is one of the most enjoyable CDs in the ULTRA-LOUNGE series. You cannot not have fun with this one--what with tracks like "Tijuana Taxi," "Baby Elephant Walk," "Cute," and "Java" highlighting the proceedings. There are hidden gems here, too, such as "Squatty Roo" by the John Buzon Trio (where are those guys now?). Keep those ULTRA-LOUNGE discs coming!

I got the "fuzzy" sampler for Christmas last year and began buying other volumes. This is by far one of the better volumes in the series. Wacky and wholesome got married and this is their baby!

This is the most whimsical entry in the Ultra Lounge series, and would fit right in with a lime green and orange lounge filled with bean bags and moon lamps. I'm sure Austin Powers would dig it.

Some of the highlights are:
"Big Noise From Winnetka/Midnight Swim" - horn-laden big band segues into loungy film score from "Sex and The Single Girl",
"Hot Toddy" - swingin' Julie London vocals, "doo-doo-doo",
"Mah-Na, Mah-Na" - harmonica and kazoo,
"Guys and Dolls" - if Tubular Bells were lounge,
"Cute" - organ fits the title,
"Donkey Serenade" - vibraphone over a bass guitar that sounds like hoof beats,
"Baby Elephant Walk/Java" - classic 60s pop,
"Potluck" - scat singing,
"Squatty Roo" - angular "squatty" sound,
"Deep Purple/S' Wonderful" - strange theremin sounds (could have been included on Space Capades),
"Quiet Village" - a classic tiki lounge song revisited on Moog (another song that could have been on Space Capades).

Bottoms Up in the Ultra-Lounge series sports an awesome collection of nineteen great numbers displaying great artistry, panache and romantic appeal for countless people. Just one listen to this CD proves it.

The CD starts off beautifully with Martin Denny's version of "Fandango." The percussion, horns and tambourines combine to create a terrific musical arrangement. The melody is infectiously catchy and upbeat; you'll want to jump up and dance just after this first track alone! The background chorus adds a heavenly touch to this number; you will be in the mood for love! "Mah-Ná Man-Ná" is a tune you may well recognize as being great lounge music; but even if this is new to you, you are sure to enjoy this number. Again, the drums, percussion and horns carry the bulk of the musical arrangement; Leroy Holmes did a great job with this number. Love that xylophone accent! The strings work well on "Mah-Ná Man-Ná," too.

Billy May then gives us the track entitled "Music To Watch Girls By/Slick." The sassy yet elegant musical arrangement for the horns resembles the sound of the Tijuana Brass; indeed, Herb Alpert helped to write "Slick." The saxophone works beautifully and this track boasts a certain high level of elegance that I rarely hear even in lounge music. Great!

"Guys And Dolls" gives us an example of a lounge music rendition of a classic Broadway show tune; this number has a big band flavor and the piano works wonders, too. Terry Snyder makes his rendition of "Guys And Dolls" a very special one. The horns, guitar, xylophone and drums weave a magic spell that leaves you wanting more. "No Matter What Shape (You're Stomach's In)" shares a track with the famous tune entitled "Tijuana Taxi" as both numbers are performed by the New Classic Singers. No words are sung; but the chorus does an excellent job of working their way into your heart. "Tijuana Taxi" gets the royal treatment as the New Classic Singers and the musicians infuse this with relentless happiness. They bat "Tijuana Taxi" right out of the ballpark.

Martin Denny's lounge music take on "The Donkey Serenade" features the xylophone, and the piano, even the chimes come in to make this arrangement sounding fresh even today. "Baby Elephant Walk" sports a distinct late 1950s/early 1960s beat to it that reflects good judgment; and when it blends into Bill May's rendition of "Java" I was thrilled with the upbeat, catchy melody that remains timeless to this day. Look out for "Baby Elephant Walk/Java!"

Another treat is the two numbers of never before released music by the artist Dr. Samuel Hoffman. "Deep Purple," written by Derose and Parish, gets a heavenly zither treatment; and "S'Wonderful" by the Gershwin brothers follows nicely on this same track.

Although Martin Denny's "Quiet Village (Moog Version)" doesn't quite work for me, the bonus track of "Lisbon Antigua" gets the ultimate Nelson Riddle treatment to end the album very fittingly.

The liner notes include an essay by R. J. Smith, all the song credits, and you even get drink recipes for a rum swizzle and a singapore sling! The art work is nicely done; and Bob Norberg at Capitol Records did a great job of digitally remastering the tracks for this CD.

I highly recommend this CD for lounge music fans and people who enjoy the "mood music" of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Fans of easy listening and exotica music will cherish this CD, too.

The sound quality of the Ultra-Lounge series is excellent, even though the songs were recorded mostly in the 50's and 60's. Capitol Records packs each CD with carefully chosen tracks consistent with the theme of the particular volume in the series. Many of the selections that appear here aren't available elsewhere, either because the original album on which the song appeared is out of print, or because the song was issued as a single and never collected in an album. A few 'previously unreleased' tracks also appear here. This series is a wonderful introduction to the music of a by-gone era, and each album includes detailed notes on each track (artist, writers, date recorded, how released, etc.). I heartily recommend it to anyone who has an interest in this type of music.

If you like the Ultra Lounge series and do not have this...get it. It is one of my favorites, and I have most of them. Many versions of popular tunes are in this one. This is one of the more fun Ultra lounge CD's.

Love to enjoy this music in the bathtub or sitting around having some Manhattans, very enjoyable. Got it very quickly. Love it!

Love this kind of music - can't get enough - have most all of the CDs. Excellent New Jersey-based company with excellent foresight and retro-understanding for the best party and jazz combos. Excellent choice for any kind of day or evening, party or relaxation time.

We have about 7 of these Ultra Lounge compilations, and love every one. The music is deftly chosen, and strongly evocative of the era or style. Some are very well-known artists, balanced against less-well-known, but terrific numbers. We play these in the evening at our B&B, and frequently get compliments from the guests. You won't be disappointed!