Customer Reviews

Ultra-Lounge, Vol. 17: Bongo Land

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Although I think all of the Ultra Lounge CDs are just fantastic, I admit that this one and "Mondo Exotica" are constantly jockeying for the position of my favorite volume. These tunes are just so catchy and upbeat, and they remind me of something you'd hear in some strange hybrid lounge-slash-beatnik-coffe-shop. Of course, I've yet to find such a place, but when I do, I guarantee they'll be playing this music.

This 'Bongo-land' volume is the most rigorous of the 'Ultra-lounge' series.Most of the series has strong latin elements, but this one is further latin than any of the others.Its the only one that sounds like North-Americans didn't make, at least not on their own (which is in no way a criticism of the ones that 'do' sound North-American made).It is the most spontaneous sounding, though still in keeping with the polished/composed approach of the Ultra-Lounge series.
There are 17 listed tracks PLUS little unlisted solo bongo interludes spotted thru-out.There is alot of variety.Each melody is distinctive, and there are tempo-changes all over the place.The rhythm is so successfull at ful-filling the expectations that a title like "Bongo-land", brings.But, as in all 'ultra-lounge' cd's, its never just one instrument taking the lime-light.As long as you realize that the bongos aren't always in the fore-ground (except for the interludes), you can't be dis-appointed.
(There are so many 'ultra-lounge' volumes that could be named as the best.My votes go eerily close to a previous reviewer's.Mondo-Exotica is my muse at n.1.This one, Bongo-land, belts me at n.2).

It is almost impossible to listen to most of the tracks on this great CD without feeling the urge to get out on the dance floor and flail around. These drum-driven tunes are what Lounge Music is all about. Hardly any clinkers at all in this batch of bongo bits.

A number of these Ultra-lounges are decent, some are duds, and then there are those that are hard not to enjoy-this is one of those. 'Bongoland' is one of the better Ultra Lounge entries, although building a bit slow: it reaches a heigth, finally, by #13's 'Misirlou'. I really like #18, though, as it picks up a kicking version of 'Harlem Nocturne'(literally three minutes in). If you like lounge, this is one of its better compilations.

I'm up to 13 Ultra Lounge CDs since discovering the fuzzy sampler, and Bongo Land was one of the best. I love the whole thing! Sipping drinks in low lighting and playing this in surround sound made us feel like we were back in a coffee house in the Age of Cool, daddy-o. While all of the Ultra Lounge CDs are great, I highly recommend Bongo Land. My favorite track is "Brazil". Enjoy, cats!

This is the 'beatnik' volume in the ultra lounge series featuring bongos. Quoting from the booklet: "you need to spank your palms approximately 800,000 times before you can get your MBA (Master of Bongological Arts)...The bongos were the original air guitar."

There's at least a dozen great tracks including:
"Latin Fever" by Jack Constanzo - has the energy of Woodstock-era Santana, with a saxophone lead, recommend the album 'Latin Fever' for a full dose,
"A Night In Tunisia" by the Latin Jazz Sextet - begins with the classic bass line and adds vibraphone, flute, and Eric Dolphy on saxophone,
"Brazil" by Tino Contreras, bird chirps and cocktail piano segue into lively bongo with muted trumpet lead interspersed with bongo solos accompanied by chanting and birds,
"Caravan" by Dick Hyman - exotic lounge sound with lively piano and strings,
"Club Caballeros" by Laurindo Almeida - fast-tempo bass line overlaid with cool trumpet, guitar and piano, plus bongos,
and "La Cumparsa/Harlem Nocturne" by Jack Costanzo - slow bass/bongo rhythm with expressive clarinet lines and staccato piano, segueing into a live "loungy" rendition of Harlem Nocturne with saxophone lead.

Oooh, so many Desi Arnaz moments on this disc! Like being at Ricky's nightclub in the 50's! Best track: "Brazil." You'll freak at the piercing whistles and fast, faster, fastest drumming!

Plus it has bongos! What's not to like? It's an ideal disk for background music (with dance possibilities) while you serve up Tiki drinks to your friends on the bamboo-trimmed back patio. Let me recommend the following drink:

Zoom-zoom Zoomette
2oz Light Jamaican Rum
2oz Dark Jamaican Rum
1oz 151 proof rum
2oz Grapefruit juice
2oz Pineapple juice
Dash of bitters
Juice of one lime, squeezed
Ice
Mix into 20oz ("Venti") Starbucks cup and drink responsibly.

I HAVE A LOT OF CD'S IN THE ULTRA LOUNGE SERIES. THEY ARE HIT OR MISS. SOME OF THEM ARE REALLY GREAT, AND SOME OF THEM ARE BEYOND CHEESEY. THIS IS ONE OF THE BETTER ONES, THIS TIME FOCUSING ON (MOSTLY) BONGO AND PERCUSSION MUSIC RECORDED ON THE CAPITAL LABEL IN THE 50'S AND 60'S (AS ARE ALL THE RECORDINGS ON IN THE ULTRA LOUNGE SERIES). THE BEST CUTS ON THE CD ARE BY JACK COSTANZO, IF YOU LIKE THEM YOU SHOULD GET THE COMPLETE CD "LATIN FEVER' BY JACK COSTANZO, THAT ONE IS REALLY GREAT. MY FAVORITE CD IN THE ULTRA LOUNGE SERIES IS "THE CRIME SCENE", WITH "MAMBO FEVER" A DISTANT SECOND.

Nothing can be finer that Ultra Lounge - never a bad thing to say.