Say It With Music - The Wally Mackenzie Orchestra

A must for those who enjoy big band or ballroom dancing music, this is a very enjoyable album from a band which I understand were very popular locally to where i live in East Manchester.

The arrangements are traditional but with energy, and very well recorded for a release which was clearly designed to be sold at the concerts and dances themselves.

I hope you enjoy it and please comment, leaving your name, if you do!

Album Preview - Hooked On Swing

Migration - Mike Leander Orchestra (1969)

Another excellent Easy instrumental album, this has been out there before, in its original version, titled "Together", this later reissue features a slightly altered tracklist.

Some nice arrangements of some 60s pop classics, standards, and an original, Mike Leander seems to have come up with a good sound and uses this sound on most of the arrangements on this album.

One of the tracks, the version of the Fab 4's Here There And Everywhere, became very well known in the UK in the 1970s as the theme from BBC Radio 2's Ray Moore show, and indeed, the notes on the rear are from Ray Moore himself.

A very interesting album, well worth a listen, the vinyl sounding in fine condition!

I hope you enjoy it and please comment, leaving your name, if you do!

Album Preview - Here There And Everywhere

The Don Lusher Collection (1976)

An excellent collection of big band lounge from one of Britain's finest trombonists and arrangers.

An eclectic selection of repertoire, my highlight is Don Lusher's own library classic, Carnaby Chick, a different recording and better arrangement to the more commonly available Amphonic version, or the Harry Roche Constellation version!

50 minutes long, it is a great listen with its blend of two different types of band with his quartet playing the the quiet, loungey tracks, and the big band playing with energy on the rest of the album.

The rear of the sleeve contains much interesting information and synopsis in it with full recording and band personnel details.

I hope you enjoy it and please comment, leaving your name, if you do!

Album Preview - Carnaby Chick

Café Continental - Tony Compton & Brian Dexter (1990)

Thanks again go to Al Gates of Perth, Australia for this new post, a fine album of accordion instrumentals for dancing.

I hope you enjoy it and please comment, leaving your name, if you do!

Album Preview - Chanson D'Amour

Up-Up and Away - Ray Martin, His Orchestra & Chorus (1967)

A very nice instrumental and vocal album from the great Ray Martin, it features a blend of originals, standards, and pop songs of the era.

It was shown by Mike Flowers on the BBC's Joy Of Easy Listening programmme, and is well worth a listen.

I hope you enjoy it and please leave a comment with your name if you do!

Album Preview - Brave New World

Latin - The Modern Way - Carlos Romanos & His Orchestra (1980)

 

Big thanks to our friend Al Gates once more with this very nice latin dance album.

I would like to say how much I am enjoying Al's contributions, and would love to see more!

I hope you enjoy it and please comment if you do!

Album Preview - La Bailaora