What a great song to play this year. From British 1960s pop group Tinkerbells Fairydust. You can find this song and many other psychedelic and sunshine pop songs on my compilation Beatniks & Hipsters '71.
Halloween is just a few days away and to kick things off in a ghoulish way, this old piece of 1973 wax will most likely do the trick (...or treat). This record is sure to scare and entertain everyone in the family, especially if used with one speaker hidden in the ceiling for the proper stereo spirit effect. Heck, even I am a bit freaked out by this old time piece which revolves around a haunted seance hosted by our Doctor Druid. The good doctor first plays a couple of mind tricks on the participators around the table and then tries to contact a spirit from beyond the grave, the result? Pure groovyness! Happy Halloween from Ultra Swank.
Mr. Lucky was a relatively short-lived (34 episodes) 1959-1960 television series. It starred actors John Vivyan as the suave professional gambler, "Mr. Lucky", and Ross Martin as his sidekick, Andamo. Most of the action in this crime drama took place on or around Mr. Lucky’s floating casino/pad called "The Fortuna". Possibly the most memorable thing about the show was the cool, jazzy theme and background music which was composed and conducted by Henry Mancini. The original LP cover looks great framed and hanging in any swank bachelor’s (or bachelorette’s) pad.
Exotica music was made popular in the early 1950s and took its name from the Martin Denny album with the same title. The inspiration for the genre came from exotic locations and instruments from places such as Polynesia, Melanesia, Micronesia, Southeast Asia, and Hawaii. The genre was mostly popular in suburban USA with legends such as Les Baxter, Artur Lyman and Martin Denny leading the scene. But apparently, not all Exotica music was American. Exotica fans Bert and Arjo from Holland have put together a brand new compilation of their favorite Dutch Exotica songs that not only showcases musical history but also the birth of lounge music. Head over to their website for track previews and information how you can obtain this gem.
American jazz vocalist Shaynee Rainbolt contacted me a while back having seen one of my compilations which features songs by legendary musician and composer Russell Garcia. It turns out that she is not only a fellow fan of his but also worked with him on her latest album entitled Charmed Life: Shaynee Rainbolt Sings Russell Garcia. Russell, now 92 years old have been living on New Zealand with his wife since 1971 where Shaynee traced him and not only convinced him to arrange and conduct her album but also add his Four Trombone Band to the recording session. The result is a elegant, sexy and dreamy 16-track album with laid back jazz rhythms, swingin' melodies and fast paced scat-singing which will with no doubt add the perfect mix to any cocktail gathering and let you be a part of a more elegant era.
Like out of a modern love story, musicians Charlotte from France and Magon from Israel first made contact online. Two years later, they met face to face at the airport in Tel-Aviv after Magon invited Charlotte to fly over to produce a vintage influenced pop album with him. Two weeks later they had written nine complete songs and fallen deeply in love. Charlotte & Magon's music can best be described as magical and dreamy, like you are running in slow motion next to a seashore in 1969 with a luke warm breeze in your hair, the sun reflecting in your eyes and your loved one next to you. Their debut album is entitled Love Happening - a reference to that love really can happen anytime and anywhere, especially when you least expect it. I suggest that you pour your self a glass of red wine and visit their MySpace page for soundclips and find out where you can experience their love live.
Although based in London, pianist and composer Ian Williams and singer Claudia Barton outputs music that instantly transports you to a smoky, noir jazz club in 1960's Paris. One of those clubs with a sole spotlight focusing on the elegant and voluptuous female singer. Gamine's music is not something you would listen to on a sunny and warm day - if you would, everything that is Gamine would be out of context.
The music rather craves for a moody, rainy day with a cocktail or two, starch contrasts and film noir shadows to be fully appreciated. Ian's floating dramatic piano chords and arpeggios with Claudia's incredibly sensual voice makes even the most hard heartened and unromantic person to melt into a mixed puddle of french perfume and wine. I feel like I am in a movie where I have just met the femme fatale.
I am in love.
Here in Sweden we just skipped spring, summer and autumn and went directly back to winter again, so why not take a trip to the sun with Eastern Airlines? Here are six one-minute vintage commercials with none other than Brazilian bossa legend Astrud Gilberto on vocals. The jingles were recorded in the late 1960s and styled in different variations. Taken from a promotion 7" record intended for their employees only, but now offered to the Ultra Swank readers as well.
Ultra Swank takes you back in time into the kitsch, chic and swank living of the 50s to the 70s. We mainly focus on the design, architecture and the lifestyle of the happy-go-lucky and space-age-living mentality from that era - but also on the mood music that takes you back to happier times. Ultra Swank is run by Chris who resides in Sweden. More | Contact
The scrumptious Bettie Page performs a varietease to the tunes of a exotica styled track that sounds like something from Martin Denny or Les Baxter. Bettie Page is often referred to as “The Queen of Pin-Ups” as she became one the most famous models and burlesque dancers of the 1950s and still continues to influence [...]
The luscious collaboration with British lifestyle magazine Chic Today proceeds. Here is the fourth article by me, it is lovingly called Fly me friendly and continues my fascination of air travel and stewardesses in its golden age. The article can be found in their magazine available in a interactive form or as downloadable PDF-file (links [...]
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Ultra Swank is your blast from the past that takes you back to a more civilized and elegant era with lush cocktail parties, retro design, tasteful architecture and dreamy mood music.
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