Ar Lounge Classics

Selections from the Sinecure Publication Enjoy The Experience. "Psych, funk, folk, jazz, lounge, and boogie from American private press albums". Calling all crate diggers! This gem of a compilation gathers 24 strange and excellent private press records – some already underground classics, alongside others waiting to be discovered.

Marc Collin, the creator of Nouvelle Vague, never anticipated producing a fifth album for the project, originally envisioning it as a one-off tribute to post-punk through bossa nova. However, the unexpected success of their debut album, featuring unique covers of songs by XTC, Public Image Limited, Josef K, and Joy Division, propelled Nouvelle Vague into unforeseen popularity.

In 1999, Collectors' Choice released Voices in Latin/The Freshman Year, which contained two complete albums – Voices in Latin (1958, originally released on Capitol) and The Freshman Year (1961, originally released on Capitol) – by the Four Freshmen on one compact disc.

Rob McConnell & the Boss Brass add plenty of spice to this Christmas jazz CD, not only with superb, fresh charts but a few surprising selections. The rich brass and reeds carry the deliberate rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," which segues into a perky Latin-flavored chart of "I'll Be Home for Christmas." "Away in a Manger" is not the commonly heard melody but one first written in 1887, though the music will likely be familiar, even if one doesn't associate it with the well-known lyrics. The lush setting of "The Christmas Song," which likely set Mel Tormé and Bob Wells for life with royalty checks due to its many recordings, showcases the leader's valve trombone and pianist David Restivo. "My Favorite Things," originally written for The Sound of Music, has gradually been transformed into double duty as a Christmas carol; this swinging interpretation works very well. Johnny Mandel, the composer of many memorable melodies, deserves greater recognition for his gorgeous piece "A Christmas Love Song"; this arrangement deserved to help put it on the jazz map. Rob McConnell & the Boss Brass consistently delivered first-rate music throughout their existence, this holiday CD no exception.

This fictitious studio group was masterminded by Richard A. Hewson (b. 17 November 1943, Stockton-on-Tees, Teesside, England). In the late 60s arranger, conductor and multi-instrumentalist Hewson worked with James Taylor and Herbie Hancock and arranged hits such as the Beatles ‘The Long And Winding Road’ and Mary Hopkin’s ‘Those Were The Days’. His fame as an arranger spread and in the next decade he worked with artists including Supertramp, Diana Ross, Carly Simon, Art Garfunkel, Leo Sayer, Al Stewart, Chris DeBurgh, Fleetwood Mac and Chris Rea. In 1976 he decided to produce, write and play on his own records under the name RAH Band. In 1977 the instrumental ‘The Crunch’ on Good Earth climbed into the UK Top 10. Three years later ‘Falcon’ hit the Top 40 and started a long string of dance hits for the band. In 1985 ‘Clouds Across The Moon’, with vocals by his wife Liz, gave him a second Top 10 single. Over the years the band have chalked up seven UK hits and have had records on a myriad of labels including DJM, KR, TMT, Sound, RCA, Supreme and Creole.