Compilations with titles starting with A
- A Classic Cartoon Christmas
- CD, Nick At Nite BK 67764, USA, 1996
- comment:
- Chuck: Favorites from Christmas Specials, nothing too exotic. "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch " is my fav.
- A Collector's Guide To Brit-Pop Instrumentals Of The 60s
- A Onda Que Se Ergue No Mar
- Double CD, Universal, Brasil, 2001
- A Really Swell Christmas
- CD, Columbia, USA, 1996
- comment:
- Johan: Tracks: The Glad Singers: Deck the Halls/ The Joe Loco Quintet: Rudolph... (previously unreleased)/ Percy Faith: happy Holidays/ Liberace: Twas the Night Befor Christmas/ Ray Ellis: Jingle Bells - 1957/ Frank Yankovic: Blue Christmas/ Harmonicats: Winter Wonderland/ Art Carney: Santa & the Doodle-Li-Boop (a 1954 single)/John Davidson: Santa C is Coming to Town/ Santa Clause & His Helpers: Santa's Laughing Song/ Rod McKuen: Christmas/ George Maharis: The Christmas Song.
- A Reggae Tribute To The Beatles
- CD, Emporio EMPRCD 584, UK, 1995
- comment:
- Johan: My rating: 3 points on 5.
- A Reggae Tribute To The Beatles Volume 2
- CD, Emporio EMPRCD 718, UK, 1997
- The A To Z Of British TV Themes From The Sixties And Seventies
- CD, Play it Again PLAY 004, UK, 1992
- comment:
- Johan: My rating: 3 points on 5.
- The A To Z Of British TV Themes - The Ron Grainer Years
- The A To Z Of British TV Themes Volume 2
- CD, Play it Again PLAY 006, UK, 1993
- comment:
- Johan: My rating: 3 points on 5.
- The A To Z Of British TV Themes Volume 3
- CD, Play it Again PLAY 010, UK, 1994
- comment:
- A Trip To Brazil - 40 Years Of Bossa Nova
- Double CD, Motor Collector 565 382, Germany, 1998
- comment:
- Johan: My rating: 5 points on 5.
- Moritz R: For anybody who wants to get into the music of Brazil this is the perfect compilation. Great tracklist and phantastic information source. But also for the more advanced listeners of the Bossa it is still amazing. Not only do you find rare unrereleased tracks but there is also a little description of the origins, the makers and historic info in general to each and every song. All the who's who in Brazilian music plus things that probably nobody in this list knew. 5 stars recommendation!
- A Trip To Brazil: Bossa & Beyond
- Double LP, EmArcy 545 475, Germany, 1999
- comment:
- Johan: A "best of" compiled from "A Trip To Brazil - 40 Years Of Bossa Nova" and "A Trip To Brazil vol. 2: Bossa & Beyond". Very confusing, with that title duplication, AND the same front cover as "vol. 2"!
- A Trip To Brazil vol. 2: Bossa & Beyond
- Double CD, EmArcy (Universal) 545 360, Germany, 1999
- comment:
- Johan: My rating: 5 points on 5. Excellent second volume, with 38 tracks in total, this time offering more than just classic bossa nova. Disc 2 offers acts who mix samba and other Brazilan sounds with elements from jazz, funk and psychedelia. Highly recommended! Don't confuse with the double vinyl "A Trip To Brazil: Bossa & Beyond", which features exactly the same front cover, and is really a "best of" compiled from "A Trip To Brazil - 40 Years Of Bossa Nova" and this very "vol. 2: Bossa & Beyond".
- A Trip To Brazil Vol 3: Back To Bossa
- CD/Double LP, Emarcy, Germany, 2003
- Abstractions Vol.1
- LP, Swerve recordings ABS 001, Germany?, 199?
- comment:
- Johan: My rating: 3 points on 5.
- (unknown): "Chill Pill Pt. 4". great breaks, easy violins, moog madness, groovy, jazzy, chilled-out compilation
- Acid Jazz TV And Movie Themes
- CD, Hollywood, USA, 1997?
- comment:
- Johan: w/ JTQ, doing 3 numbers; all covers of TV themes
- Peter Risser: it's great. Sadly, the James Taylor Quartet tracks are some of the weakest, with a really tepid version of the Mission: Impossible theme. Still he does well on Mrs. Robinson (oddly enough) and his Dirty Harry theme is great, though I already have it on Creation. Other standouts include a versions of the themes for Rollerball, The Cricket, Love Boat and a version of The Heist (by Quincy Jones) that is so close to the original, it's not even funny.
- Philip Jackson: "Screen Acid - 18 Acid Jazz Takes On Classic Film & TV Music" and this "Acid Jazz TV And Movie Themes" seem to be the same CD, see track list under Compilations: S: "Screen Acid ".
- Action Drive
- LP, Finderfinger 001, Switzerland, 2002
- comment:
- Johan: My rating: 4 points on 5. Limited to 1000 copies. "Sound gallery" type of music, with -- quote: "fast basslines, drumbeats, raw Hammonds, funky guitars, horns, flutes, electric pianos and percussion". All taken from the early 1970's KPM library music "1000 series". Available from System Records
- Adventures In Soundtracks
- LP, no label STKS 001, origin?, 2002
- comment:
- Johan: My rating: 4 points on 5. "Super Fat Beats Breaks & Samples From Rare & Unreleased Seventies Film Scores" it says, but that's not all true: "Modesty Blaise" and "dirty Harry" are on CD. One big error (if it is just an error...) about the source of "Coming & going", which is NOT from the "Adventurers" OST by Jobim at all, but from the Quincy jones arranged "Music from The Adventurers" as played by The Ray Brown Orchestra! Available from System Records
- Adventures Of Superman: Music From The Original 1950's Television Series
- CD, Varèse Sarabande, USA, 2000
- comment:
- Johan: 33 pieces of background music used in Superman's first season episodes: Superman And The Mole Men/ Superman On Earth/ The Evil Three/ Crime Wave/ The Monkey Mystery, etc. Sound frags @ label's site.
- Afro Blue 1 (Explore The Roots And Rhythms Of Jazz)
- CD, Blue Note, UK, 1993
CD, Blue Note, USA, 1999 - comment:
- Johan: My rating: 3 points on 5. A bit too much straight jazz and too little "African" contents.
- Afro Blue 2 (Explore The Roots And Rhythms Of Jazz)
- Algebra Spaghetti
- CD, Siesta, Spain, 1998
- comment:
- Johan: Siesta describes it as: A Children's Fantasy Pop Album
- Rod Lott: It is indeed a psychedlic kiddie pop album inspired by the likes of H.R. Pufnstuf and Willy Wonka tracks. It is masterminded by Mike Alway, who gave us last year's "Songs for the Jet Set" album. Mike himself tells me this record will be enjoyable for anyone who liked "Jet Set".
- Chuck: This collection reminds me of Free Design "Sing for Very Important People" meets the Harpers Bizarre. Easy feeling groovy cutesy vocal pop with a touch of late 60's pop psychedelia. I can't believe this cd, its really off the wall! Its full of surprises. Its produced so well by the great great Louis Philippe (Jackie Girl) & Richard Preston.
- All Aboard The Runaway Train (Classic tunes & tales to grow up with)
- CD, Jasmine JASCD 360 mono 360, UK, 1999
- comment:
- Johan: My rating: 3 points on 5. Children songs & stories. Highlights: The Woody Woodpecker Song - Mel Blanc; I'm Popeye the Sailor Man - Billy Costello; Tubby the Tuba - Danny Kaye; Dry Bones - Fred Waring; One-Zy, Two-Zy - Phil Harris; Aminal Crackers in My Soup - Shirley Temple; Train monologue - Reginald Gardiner; The Teddy Bear's Picnic - Val Rosing.
- All Tore Up... (Unrequited Love, Tormented Romance, Tragedy & Tearjerkers... 1955-1968)
- CD/LP, Bluesbeat Records TU-567, Hungary (?), 1999
- comment:
- Johan: My rating: 3 points on 5. Doowop, blues, R&B and funk (all vocal of course). Sound quality very good.
- All You Need Is Covers - The Songs Of The Beatles
- Double CD, NEE 309, UK, 1999
- comment:
- Johan: 50 Beatles covers by Petula Clark, Max Bygraves, Anita Harris, Shirley Abicair, P.P. Arnold, Sacha Distel, Jackie Trent, and many obscure 1960's singers and groups
- Ambiente Elegante
- CD, Studio Uno STN1006, Italy, 2000
- comment:
- Johan: My rating: 4 points on 5. very tasty and varied collection of 16 tunes, 4 of which are recent ones by the fantastic VIP 200 (1 tune appeared on the CD that came with "Il Giaguaro" magazine issue 6). The remaining are from the 1960's and by the big names of Italian film scoring: Piccioni, Trovaioli, Alessandroni, Ferrio, Umiliani... Unfortunately, no sources are mentioned; I have a feling that a couple of tunes already appeared on other similar comps, like "Mr. Dante Fontana", "Smog...?
- American Song Poem
- CD, Bar-None, USA, 2003
- comment:
- Johan: duplicates with the "MSR Madness" CD series of Carnage Press.
- The American Song-Poem Christmas (Daddy, Is Santa Really Six Foot Four?)
- American Yodeling 1911-1946
- CD, Trikont US-0246, Germany, 1998
- comment:
- Johan: My rating: 2 points on 5. American folk and folk-blues with (some) yodeling. If you're after crazy yodels, this cd might disapoint: only 5 funny yodel tracks.
- Arjan Plug: 26 tracks in all and very good informative booklet
- Americana Volume 1: Vox Populi
- CD-R, Varieties of Musical Experience, USA, 1999
- comment:
- Johan: My rating: 3 points on 5. Produced by Citizen Kafka.
- Reviewed in _Cool And Strange Music Magazine_ issue 15
- Amiga-A-Go-Go vol.1: Deutsch-Demokratische Rare Grooves
- CD, BMG Ariola, Germany, 2000
- comment:
- Moritz R: Two new compilations out on BMG Ariola, compiled by Stefan Kassel (who is also responsible for the usual cool artwork) and Frank Jastfelder. 'A collection of Beat and Pop nuggets from the archives of East-Germany's former Amiga-Label - now owned by Bertelsmann. Recorded between 1964 and 1979 these tracks demonstrate that the British invasion didn't stop at the wall.' state the liner-notes... The band names alone: Modern Soul Band, Dresden Sextett, die Sputnicks, Team 4, Rote Gitarren (Red Guitars), Baltic Quintett etc. These compilations include amazing material by bands from the former GDR as well as a few tracks from other socialist brother countries such as Poland. Musically ranging from Schlager, Beat, Surf, vocal Easy Listening to Soul, Funk and Disco many of these rare tracks even outdo most of the music made in the western part of Germany at that time, at least from today's point of view. Is this because all bands in the GDR had to pass a musical education and exam before they were allowed to play and record? Among my favorite tracks are the German versions of such killer-evergreens as "Wully Bully" ("Volle Pulle") by the Theo Schumann Combo, "An einem Tag im September" ("She's Not There") by the Dresden Sextett and "Es steht ein Haus in New Orleans" by Orchester Günther Gollasch... (British invasion? These are all American songs) According to Stefan Kassel, he and Frank Jastfelder did an exhausting lot of research in the Amiga archives and really told the few top tracks from 95% crap, almost never agreeing with the old Amiga managers on what to choose. So the impression you get from these selections does not give a typical picture of the musical standards of the Prussian-socialist culture, but nevertheless are great compilations. I must say, I was surprised even after knowing the "Amigamore" compilation.
- Amiga-A-Go-Go vol.2: Deutsch-Demokratischer Beat
- CD, BMG Ariola, Germany, 2000
- An Evening In Nivram. The Music Of The Shadows
- CD/LP, MuSick 0004, USA, 1998
- comment:
- Reviewed in "_Cool And Strange Music Magazine_" issue 8
- And Now A Word From Our Sponsors 1 (Radio And TV Commercials)
- CD, East Anglian Productions, UK, 1996
- comment:
- Johan: Radio and TV commercials from the 50's and 60's
- And Now A Word From Our Sponsors 2 (Radio And TV Commercials)
- CD, East Anglian Productions, UK, 1996
- comment:
- Johan: Radio and TV commercials from the 60's and 70's
- Angels In The Mirror: Vodou Music Of Haiti
- CD + book, Ellipsis Arts 4120, USA, 1998
- comment:
- Reviewed in "_Cool And Strange Music Magazine_" issue 11
- Another Crazy Cocktail Party: Shake Your Congas
- CD, BMG Ariola 39147 2, Belgium, 1996, deleted
CD, RCA Victor, USA, 1996 - comment:
- Another Ride On The Runaway Train (more classic tunes & tales to grow up with)
- Anthology Of Scat Singing Volume 1
- CD, media 7 Masters Of Jazz MJCD 801, France, 1995
- comment:
- Johan: My rating: 2 points on 5.
- Anthology Of Scat Singing Volume 2: 1929-1933
- CD, media 7 Masters Of Jazz MJCD 802, France, 1995
- comment:
- Johan: My rating: 3 points on 5.
- Anthology Of Scat Singing Volume 3: 193-1941
- CD, media 7 Masters Of Jazz MJCD 803, France, 1995
- comment:
- Johan: My rating: 3 points on 5.
- Aperitivo Volume 1
- Aperitivo Volume 2
- Aperitivo Volume 3
- Argento Vivo
- CD, Cinevox MDF 337, Italy, 2000
- comment:
- Johan: My rating: 3 points on 5. subtitled "a celebrative journey into the Italian master of mayhem's dark realm." Nice -- if you can use that word in the context of horror soundtracks -- introduction to the music of Dario Argento movies. Too bad for the lousy track list: it's impossible to find out from which particular soundtrack a couple of Goblin tracks were taken.
Read a review of this record in the "Critiquarium".
- Arriva La Bomba (The Easiest Italian Party Of The Year)
- CD, Irma/La Douce 489686, Italy, 1998
- comment:
- Johan: My rating: 3 points on 5. I wrote this a couple of years ago: "The most disappointing Irma compilation to date. This is nothing else but Italian cover versions of typical late 60's pop, soul and R&B songs." Now, after a second listening 4 years later, I appreciate it a lot more; don't ask me why -- just another case of "evolving musical taste" -- there's nothing wrong with that, is there? It's still mostly vocal, but I don't dislike any track anymore! the title track is a gas, just as Moroder's version of "mah na mah na".
- Jill Mingo: One of the best ones I've picked up lately. Lots of Italian Northern Soul covers. Really silly stuff, but essential IMHO.
- Chuck: Another great Irma release. Super cool late 60's now sounds that Irma does so well. This cd will have you dancing to those mod mod Italian now sounds. The music's all over the sound spectrum with a lot of wild remakes of songs but again its all killer with no filler.
- Asian Takeaways
- CD, Q.D.K. Media 038, Germany, 2001
- comment:
- Johan: My rating: 3 points on 5.
- Stefan Kéry: How far can too far go? Never too far it seems. After 2 India oriented "Doob Doob O'Rama's" now exotic countries like Malaysia, Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore are exposed. Again we hear strange, funny, original and exotic cross-breeds of western pop, rock and orchestral music with Oriental tunes and inspired singers. Chinese vocals over lush, jazz orchestrated melodies and easy tune Karate boys meld with staccato guitars. It should be noted that these recordings sound better (in general) than the Doob Doob O´Rama ones.
- Asphodelic (Sampler)
- CD, Asphodel, USA, 1999
- comment:
- Johan: sampler of Asphodel artists, including Tipsy
- At Home With The Groovebox
- CD, Grand Royal Records GR068, UK, 2000
- comment:
- Johan: My rating: 2 points on 5. Disapointing
- Thinkmatic: A bunch of artists used the Groovebox to compose songs for this album. Some of the more notable performers are Jean Jacques Perry, Gershon Kingsley, Dick Hyman, Beck, John McEntire. Kingsley's new version of Popcorn is on the sight for the listening.
- Rod Lott: I think it's a cool, fun record. Unfortunately, I seem to be in the minority on this among my group of friends. I think if you like the old Perrey & Kingsley and Dick Hyman stuff, you'll be in the right frame of mind. The tracks by Air and the like are terrific, but not representative of their usual sound, which I think is what pisses most people off.
- Atomic Cafe
- CD/Double LP, Stilton FR006, Italy, 1999
- comment:
- Johan: Apparently a different comp than the German comp "The Atomic Café - French Cuts ". With: John Cameron, Sam Most, Preston Love, Gus Giordano, Melvyn Price, Kenny Rankin, Meta Roos, Solar Plexus, Oscar Brown Jr., Klaus wunderlich, Spanky Wilson. Looks like a follow-up to the "Mood Mosaic" series
- Atomic Cafe 2
- CD/Double LP, Hitland/ Stilton, Italy, 2000?
- The Atomic Café. French Cuts (pop music française des années 60)
- CD/Double LP, Hobby De Luxe/ Indigo LSD 007, Germany, 1999, deleted
CD/Double LP, Panatomic, Distribution Indigo GmbH, Germany, Febuary 2003 - comment:
- Johan: My rating: 4 points on 5. Lots of funny tracks!
- Martin Hämmel: Comp by the Munich based club Atomic Café (www.atomic.de/panatomicf.html ) Vol 1 originally was released in 1999 on Hobby De Luxe and is deleted because the label did not pay us. It will be reissued now on PANATOMIC. We did not mainly try to discover obscure tracks. The plan behind this comp was to put together the BEST tracks where we could get the Copyrights for the German market. Of course we miss Gainsbourg and Hardy badly. The tracks we get where: Gillian Hills -Tut Tut Tut / Brigitte Bardot -Harley Davidson / Sullivan -Hashish Faction / Nino Ferrer -Mirza / Charlotte Leslie -Les Filles C'est Fait.. / Antoine -Ne T'en Fais Pas Pour Ceux-la, Ils Revent / Jacqueline Taieb -7 Heures Du Matin / Stella -Beatnicks D'Occaison / Ronnie Bird -Chante (I Can Only Give You Everything) / Jaques Dutronc -Le Responsable / Jo Alan -Les Bons Conseils / Nino Ferrer -Les Cornichons / Daniel Gerard -Sexologie (only on the first press, Sony France did not want it on the Comp) / Delphine -La Fermeture ...clair (In the Past) / Jaques Dutronc -J'ai Tout Lu, Tout Vu, Tout Bu / Jean-Jacques Perry -E.V.A. / Rita -Erotica / De Giafferi -Sado Maso / Brigitte Bardot -Contact / Clothilde -La Queue Du Chat / Patricia Carli -L'Amour En Cage / Antoine -Arretez De Me Parler De Faire L'amour / France Gall -Les Yeux Bleux / Pierre Barough -Samba Saravah / Les Muppets -C'est Bizarre (For What It's Worth) . The limited Vinyl has this Bonus Cuts: Alice Dona -C'est Pas Prudent / Laura Ulmer -Amoureux D'une Affiche / Andrea Parisy -Laisee Tomber Les Tabous (these 3 also to be found on Ultra Chicks 1") / Cléo -Parti-Pris (also "on Ultra Chicks 2") / Phillipe Bruna -Et Pourquoi Pas? (also on "Orchestral Party Act 2").
- The Atomic Café. French Cuts vol. 2 (pop music française des années 60)
- CD/Double LP, Panatomic, Distribution Indigo GmbH, Germany, april 2003
- comment:
- Martin Hämmel: it has also an incredibly great new track that sounds like from the 60s that is a massive club hit here in Munich at the Atomic Cafè. You can check the liner notes and more info about artists in ENGLISH (scroll DOWN) at: www.atomic.de/panatomicf.html
- The Avengers & Other Top Sixties TV Themes
- Double CD, Sequel NEMCD 976, UK, 1998
- comment:
- Johan: My rating: 3 points on 5. "60 Original Remastered Themes". Good comp, although not all the themes are the original versions, and it includes some extremely uncool stuff. About half of the 60 themes included are very good to excellent to superb. Pretty good, compared to other UK Themes collections I've heard...
- Reviewed in the "Record Collector" issue 228 & 239
- Sem Sinatra: It's pretty poor. Especially disappointing is the "Doctor Who Theme", whose original version by Ron Grainer & BBC Radiophonic Workshop is the only one you need (though the version on this comp does appear to contain a theremin). Likewise the version of "The Saint" theme by Cyril Stapleton & the Eliminators whose version here lacks the spooky female vocals of the superb original by Edwin Astley.
restart XRO
| top of page
| next page 