Robert Drasnin "Voodoo" (Bacchus Archives/Lost Episode 09)
Fans of exotica rejoice and be saddened. Robert Drasnin's sole release "Voodoo" easily takes it's place along side the masterworks of Denny and Baxter. Subtle and enticing, the promise shown here will make you wish he had continued recording. You will be transported to a quiet lagoon on plucked harp strings, bamboo vibes, sultry piano, exotic percussion, and otherworldly vocals. Have that Mai Tai handy and slip into your favorite Hawaiian shirt, you are about to worship at a rare and singular tiki shrine. You will wonder why you have not heard this before, and repeated listenings will make you wish for more.
Born in 1937, Drasnin came up through the ranks of the forties big band circuit, playing alto saxophone with Tommy Dorsey, Les Brown, and Skinnay Ennis among others. As the popularity of big band swing crested, Drasnin turned to modern small-group jazz (he can be heard prominently on some of Red Norvo's 50's albums) and also to serious composition. This quickly lead to his writing for television and movies. He eventually became the head of the music department for CBS Entertainment. He scored such television shows as "Lost In Space", "Wild Wild West", and "Playhouse 90". 
While prolific in the studios of Los Angeles, Drasnin only recorded one album as a leader, "Voodoo". The record, released in '59 on Tops and Mayfair was not a hit, but it was obviously heard somewhere, as Liberty engaged Drasnin to help arrange exotica heavyweight Martin Denny's "Latin Village".
Drasnin stayed almost entirely in the worlds of film, television, and concert music. Now in his sixties, he teaches film music composition at UCLA and lives near Ventura, California.
David Smay had a Lost Voodoo Episode. Have you?!?
Les Baxter "The Lost Episode" (Lost Episode/Bacchus Archives/Dionysus 07)The liner notes caution the listener: Note: This record was mastered from an old videotape. While every possible step was taken in the transfer and mastering steps, the source tape itself was not pristine. There are a few glitches. They're not the engineer's fault, nor did they happen in the mastering. Sure, the sound quality might be better, but the historical importance of this recording more than compensates. To actually hear Les Baxter, live, introduce such classics as "Quiet village", "Ruby", and "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing" obliterates these fidelity imperfections. The lush orchestration of "Quiet Village" demonstrating the contrast between Baxter's vision and Denny's hit single. Betty Ford's vocal on "Ruby" will amaze you and send shivers down your spine (and cats out of the room).
A swinging "Chopsticks" fuses many a Baxter gold record into a hot mambo surrounded by the familiar piano lesson tune. Closing this album, a grand version of "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing" with just the right oriental touch. Not an album for picky audiophiles, but an invaluable document for those who love exotica and can overlook the blemishes.
Lost Episode News Flash!!!
Vik received a note from the folks over at Dionysus soncerning a remastered version of the Les Baxter CD. From Dionysus world headquarters:"Regarding Les Baxter; We found the original 2" master video of the Les Baxter "Sound Of The 60s" TV program, and re-transferred the audio. The copies of "The Lost Episode" with the new audio transfer will be out in the stores within the month. You can identify these because they have a sticker on the front proclaiming "REMASTERED". The sound is 1000% better! For you analog heads out there, the 10" version has NOT been digitized! The transfer was made to a full-track mono tape head, and cut on the same Scully lathe and Westrex mono head that was used at Capitol in the 50s! We even put the 'eccentric' shut-off groove that you see on all pre-1960 albums!"
A further update on the re-mastered Les Baxter "Lost Episode" from Dionysus...
"We had enough paper parts to do the second pressing, and at our level, we can't afford to scrap paper, so we used them up, which is why we opted for the sticker. "
"Here's how you can tell the difference. On the CD, near the center, you will see the following; "BA07/RE1". On the remastered vinyl version, the scribe in the lead out reads "BA07A#2 & BA07B#2."
If the cinema has an exotic master, it would have to be Ed Wood. Two of Ol' Cashmere Sweater's favorite actors can now be found demonstrating their musical talents. Criswell, the "spooky" narrator of "Plan Nine From Outer Space", delivers a spoken word piece accompanied by solo piano. Paul Marco signs in with a rockin' tale of Kelton the Cop's visit to the Home of the Strange. Sure to send howls of laughter through the air. A must have for camp collectors everywhere on ghastly melon mar vinyl.
Lance Kaufman 7" single (Dionysus 74513)The A-side to this single is of no interest to the swinger. A complete throwaway noise-a-billy track, head immediately to side B. Ahhhhh...exotica extreme! Another Denny tribute (complete with birdcalls) inviting the listener (through marvelous narration) to come experience the relaxed beauty of a peaceful Amazon village. Just as you sink deeply into this paradise, the natives in the village next door get restless and destroy your village. Crash and Burn Exotica on soothing blue marbled vinyl!
Bomboras
"Swinging Singles"
(Dionysus 123342)
In a perfect world, everyone would own a turntable. Well Mr. and Mrs. Saturday Afternoon Picnic, a perfect world does not exist. Everyday, on the bus, in the elevator, and at the dragstrip, those swinging cats and kittens at Dionysus hear the same thing: "I'd love to get those amazing Bomboras tracks that were released on those magnificent but slightly hard to find 7" vinyl singles, but I don't even know how to use a turntable, let alone own one!" Well Mr. and Mrs. Thursday Mahjong Playing TV Dinner Eating Lawrence Welk Rerun Watching Next Door Neighbor, Dionysus presents the definitive collection so far of Bomboras tracks from their vinyl singles, along with many bonuses! You get all the selections from the Dionysus Forbidden Planet EP and Surfin' Bull 7", all the sides of their Screaming Apple Records from Germany singles, including the Fight To The Death On 7 Inches EP and Lord Hunt and His Missing Finks tunes, their cut from the Happy Birthday Baby Jesus Vol. 2 compilation, plus three previously unreleased tracks!!! This release will quell the hunger for the next Bomboras full length due this fall...and at a budget price, you simply can't lose! Due to swing into your local store on July 26th.
Tracks: Forbidden Planet - Moon Probe - Time Bomb - Surfin' Bull - Last Call - Drag Strip Tease - Chunky - Outlaw - Twice Pipes - The Clutch - Rodan - Lil' Drummer Boy - Tube City - Slingshot - Skater Dater
The Tiki Tones "Captain Morgan Rum Presents: Songs For Rum Drinkers" (Dionysus 74577)
Cold in your world? Crank up the heat with "Farenheit 151". Smoking Shag Lono will have you quickly reaching for your Zombie 2000 (complete with umbrella). Say you are hot enough? Then quench your thirst for the hip with a "Rusty Nail". The natives are restless, and all they want to do is dance. Their "Island Uprising" will get you off your tiki butt and on the tiki dancefloor! After a long night of rum drinking and tiki dancing, pile into the "Go-Go Mobile" and head back to your pad to dream rum soaked tiki dreams. A swinging single required for any real rum mixologist!!!
2 oz. Captain Morgan Spiced Rum
1 oz dark rum
1 oz. light rum
6 dashes apricot brandy
6 dashes cherry brandy
1 oz.pineapple juice
cracked ice
Combine ingredients in cocktail shaker until frosty good. Pour into tiki mug and garnish with pineapple slice and maraschino cherry.
The Tiki Tones "Wilt Disner Presents The Enchanted Tiki Tones" (Dionysus 74580)This journey begins with a swinging version of the classic "Powerhouse". "Sneaky Tiki" features Shag Lono's plucked guitar riding the curl of Lord Wahini's farfisa. "A Go-Go Drum" provides the perfect late night treat. Starting dark and moody, you will soon be kicked into a frenzy by the swinging rhythm section of Hana Kokolele and Ku. Finish your journey with the chant "Tum-Tiki" and know the world will be a brighter place.
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