Title: A Real Gem
Product review: this release was the catalyst for my lounge music buying binges back in the day and it has turned out to be the definitive release that i have judged all modern lounge releases by. yes, it's that great. altruda's mission for this release was to offer the listener ". . . the full spectrum of the cocktail sounds", and while henry mancini has certainly influenced the music and arrangements on this release in huge part, there are odes to many other influential artists and arrangers as well. there are hints of jobim, george shearing, jackie gleason, herbie mann, lalo schifrin, willie bobo and a truckload of others. huge big band numbers, small combos, quiet bossa nova pieces, and smokin' latin swingers are all represented. on the downside, this release is what i have judged all of joey altruda's other releases by, which probably isn't fair. he's released some good stuff since, but nothing compares to this gem.
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