A mysterious and sexy atmosphere created by a unique sound that blends exotica, Latin and Brazilian rhythms, jazz, and easy listening—all distinct from the mainstream jazz of the time. Saxophone, vibraphone, marimba, various percussion instruments, and vocals—Don Cunningham’s virtuoso-like performance, in which he single-handedly switches between a ...Read more (Original Japanese text by AYAM) vast array of percussion and keyboard instruments, is a must-hear.
This self-released album, limited to 500 copies and sold only locally and at the club, was recorded while performing at “The Living Room” inside the Playboy Club—a members-only nightclub and restaurant in St. Louis, Missouri, founded by Hugh Hefner, the creator of *Playboy* magazine. Years later, “Tabu” (sample_1) received heavy rotation at the legendary UK event “Talkin’ Loud And Saying Something,” hosted by Gilles Peterson and Patrick Forge, and in the late ’80s&# x301C;90s. It also spread throughout Japan’s rare groove and jazz DJ scene. The album features a tropical jazz arrangement of the classic exotica track “Quiet Village” (sample_2)—a cover of Martin Denny’s well-known song— “Quiet Village” (sample_2), and the refreshing jazz-dance track “Samba De Orpheu” (sample_3)—a cover of a samba song by Brazil’s Luiz Bonfá that runs over seven minutes—are among the seven tracks included on this album. Now that the boom has died down, this is your chance to get your hands on it. (Original Japanese text by AYAM)