Enoch Light Presents: Tony Mottola Roman Guitar & Lush, Latin And Lovely (2lp, 1960 1968)

Enoch Light has become synonymous with the space-age bachelor pad scene of the mid- to late-'50s, owing heavily to long players such as this. However, the reality is that the former Light Brigade leader produced and directed Terry Snyder's loose aggregate of instrumentalists known as the Command All-Stars. What sets the numerous volumes of Provocative Percussion (1958) and Persuasive Percussion (1959) – as well as countless spin-offs – apart from the plethora of other easy listening combos was Light's innovative use of technology…

Enoch Light (1905-1978) has long been recognized as one of the great innovators and musical masters in the use of Latin rhythms. With this adventurous spirit, Light was one of the first to explore the American potential of Latin rhythms. When the cha-cha came along, he had the background and the imagination to know how to give it the typically American presentation that was required to take it beyond the stiff, static treatment it was receiving at the time. Enoch Lights bossa nova treatment builds new fires in these familiar American tunes. At the same time, he gives the Brazilian pieces a volatile power that had never been exploited so imaginatively until this master, with the rhythm of his pulsating big band, brought his exciting, magic touch to them.

Stereo sound innovator and early godfather of the lounge music revolution, Enoch Light's Persuasive Percussion albums set the tone for an entire era of sophisticated partying, and also employed recording techniques that were groundbreaking in their time and would still sound fresh decades later. Following the success of those albums came volume upon volume of the Provocative Percussion spin-off series, and Provocative Percussion Vols. 3 & 4 collects 24 loungy instrumental tracks somewhere between the big-band sound and the increasingly groovy living stereo sound that Light pioneered, including takes on standard hits like "The Look of Love" and "On the Street Where You Live."