In a small, packed Soho basement in the early months of 1991, a group of bohemians, seasoned clubbers, international jet setters and Japanese modernists gathered to dance away the winter blues. The slamming of Tequila glasses exploded through the air like voodoo percussion. DJ's James and Martin Karminsky were playing head to head mining a groove that seemed to be beamed in from another dimension. And as eyes met through the heavy blue smoke a secret sparkle of understanding and pleasure passed between everyone. They weren't dancing to this music because it was funny or cheesy or even different, they were dancing because they loved it, like they loved life itself.
Inflight Entertainment
(Deram 535 300)
In this day of compilation mania, one house stands head and shoulders above the rest...The Karminsky Experience. Hailing from England and plundering the Polygram vaults, the Karminskys have released two shining examples of how a compilation should be done. Coming through the British Deram label, The Karminsky Experience first appeared with the InFlight Entertainment collection. Taking the theme of music for the jet set, InFlight gathered some of the most swinging late '60s early '70s swank ever heard on CD. Broken down into four "movements" (Departures, The Swinger, The Car Outside and The Armchair Traveller), nothing misses here. No silly filler or kitsch tunes. Simply pure hipster pleasure from start to finish.
Say you what something to dance to? How about a funky cha-cha-cha version of "Light My Fire" courtesy of Edmundo Ros? Perhaps a swinging go-go rave on "Tequila" from The Button Down Brass (featuring the "funky" trumpet of Ray Davies). Or, there's always the soul stylings of Pete Moore on "Catwalk". Just gotta dig that way gone flute!!! Later, you'll want to cuddle up with everybody's favorite French kitten, Brigitte Bardot. Her "St. Tropez" and "Tu Veux, Tu Veux Pas" will raise the blood pressure of any healthy bachelor (and even a few bachelorettes). Take a Euro drive with the swinging traveling music of John Schroeder's "Paramaribo". When the day is through and your travels over, relax to the gentle sounds of Roland Shaw's "Look Of Love" and "Let The Love Come Through."
These represent just a few of the gems in this collection. What sets it apart from other compilations are the pieces you have never heard before. Each track becomes a discovery and sends you looking for more. (Vik became obsessed with Bert Kaempfert after this disc.)
Departures "Mambo Mania" (Bert Kaempfert) -- "Light My Fire" (Edmundo Ross) -- "Il Fait Beau, Il Fait Bon" (Paul Mauriat) The Swinger "Discotheque" (Augusto Alguero) -- "Big Train" (Max Greger) -- "Catwalk" (Pete Moore) -- "Blues-A-Go-Go" (Lalo Schifrin) -- "Come Ray And Come Charles" (Michel Legrand) -- "The Look Of Love" (Roland Shaw) -- "Paramaribo" (John Schroeder) The Car Outside "St. Tropez" (Brigitte Bardot) -- "Tu Veux, Tu Veux Pas" (Brigitte Bardot) -- "Theme From 'They Call Me Mr. Tibbs' " (The Chaquito Big Band) -- "Tequila" (The Button Down Brass) The Armchair Traveller "Cerveza" (Bert Kaempfert) -- "Great Expectations" (Algusto Alguero) -- "Di-Gue-Ding-Ding" (Michel Legrand) -- "I Like London In The Rain" (Blossom Dearie) -- "Let The Love Come Through" (Roland Shaw)
Welcome to the jet set. From the catwalk to the discotheque have your boarding passes ready for 19 new ways to fly around the big wide world of easy listening. Take the ultimate cliff top car drive through musical boundaries and borders. Leaving the car outside and taking the elevator to the penthouse suite, relax and enjoy the sounds of the world's most experienced airline. This is InFlight Entertainment for The Armchair Traveller, The Swinger and The Curious Observer.
Espresso Espresso
(Deram 535 547)
Then, as if to prove Inflight was not a fluke, The Karminsky Experience recently returned with Espresso Espresso, a Latin coffee tinged collection of samba, bossa nova and South American blends. Not only perfect for that morning or after dinner coffee, this provides an exceptional soundtrack to any potable.
Start with a mellow sip of Serge Gainsbourg's "Couleur Cafe", a delightful French roast samba. Move on to "The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.", a smooth cup of rhythm from Ted Randazzo. The Gimmicks (apparently a Sergio Mendes side project) provide Vik's current faves with "Roda" and an absolutely infectious version of "The Joker." Xavier Cugat checks in with a couple of tracks including a steaming soul cha-cha take on "One Mint Julep." For a Brazilian take on Bardot's "Tu Veux, Tu Veux Pas", Wilson Simonal swings "Nem Vem Que Nao Tem" like a South American lounge act on three mocha lattes. Credit goes to Karminsky for using Lill Lindfors "Mais Que Nada" (so smooth and sweet) and sparing us yet another replay of the Sergio Mendes version. When you are feeling a little decaf (of perhaps celebrating the moments of your life), nothing will soothe you like Bacharach's "Something Big" or the Bacharach-esque Berry Lipman Orchestra & Singers' "My Heart Skips A Beat." These stand as the pure fresh roasted highlights of a simply perfect collection. Nothing here to complain about and no bitter after taste.
"Couleur Cafe" - Serge Gainsbourg..."The Girl From U.N.C.L.E." (from the TV series) - Ted Randazzo..."Balancafro" - Corisco e os Sambaloucos..."Roda" - The Gimmicks..."Pepino Beach" - Marcos Dalle..."Flyin' High" - Baja Marimba Band..."Carcara" - Corisco e os Sambaloucos..."Batucada" - Roberto Delgado Orchestra..."Mocoto" - Roberto Delgado Orchestra..."Bend Me Shape Me" - Ray Rivera..."The Joker" - The Gimmicks..."I Feel Fine" - Stanley Black & Orchestra..."Cugi's Cocktail (Hully Gully Cha Cha)" - Xavier Cugat..."Modesty (Modesty Blaise Theme)" - Cal Tjader & Eddie Palmieri..."Things We Said" - London Jazz 4..."Mas Que Nada" - Lill Lindfors..."One Mint Julep (Cha Cha Twist)" - Xavier Cugat..."Happy Brasilia" - James Last..."Latin Workout" - Ray Rivera..."Nem Vem Que Nao Tem" - Wilson Sandoval..."Something Big" - Burt Bacharach..."My Heart Skips a Beat (The Girls from Paramaribo) Instrumental" - The Berry Lipman Orchestra & Singers..."Beginnings" - Astrud Gilberto
She awoke to the sound of tea spoons rattling against cups somewhere out on
the balcony. A shaft of morning sunlight sliced the room in two, already hot
at this hour and fell across the debris of the night, the dress she had
danced in, a pair of empty glasses...the rest packed into suitcases and
topped with passports and tickets. The smell of fresh black coffee drew her
out onto the balcony, a silent sparkling jet stretching across the sky as
clear and blue as her lover's eye. Espresso? Better make that a double.
