Other Worlds, Other Sounds

Esquivel & his Orchestra - "Other Worlds Other Sounds" (1958) - RCA Victor

Hello Friends,

Tonight we're coming to you from the Space Age Bachelor Pad.

"Zoo-wee!" is the word that comes to mind when listening to this classic lounge LP!   

Mexican-born pianist and bandleader, Juan Garcia Esquivel, burst on to the scene in the late 1950's with instrumental cocktail music that was a generation ahead of its time! Known as "The King of Space Age Pop", Esquivel embraced the then-relatively-new Stereophonic recording techniques and really let loose in the recording studio.  He would arrange and deconstruct familiar standards; infuse the most modern of studio techniques; blend in his jazz, latin and classical influences and send them off in a sonic spaceship.  The finished product is melodic, percussive, whimsical and unlike anything else you've ever heard! 

 

Vocal choruses are used throughout the album as musical Exclamation points adding just the right amount of "Pop!" or "Zoo-Zoo"-ing.  Instrumental glissandos became his trademark.  Instruments-- like an organ, harp or steel guitar-- would bend notes up several pitches in a smooth, fell swoop!  Like traveling through space & time at the speed of light! 

From the red-dressed hottie dancing seductively against an alien backdrop on the cover (one of our ALL TIME FAVORITES, btw) to the whimsical and alien-sounding notes within its grooves, this album is a classic.   Each of its twelve songs are stand-out examples of pure musical genius!  Muy Bueno, Senor Esquivel, MUY BUENO! 

RATING: 5 Space Age Bachelor Pads out of 5