Search - Various Artists :: Bachelor Pad Royale: Ultra Lounge 4

Jazzy, Snazzy Tunes for your Space-Age Bachelor Pad!

loungelizard7 | 05/07/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Oh, this one really swings. Quite possibly the best in the series, this one never fails to please. From the tickling ivories opening the "Theme from Route 66" (a song that makes you feel like you've gone back in time) to the fading wails of "Melancholy Serenade" (Jackie Gleason's theme song), you're in for a fun, cool, sexy ride!People say "Sexe" is a little too obvious. Well, yeah, it is, but the real fun comes during the sax solo, which has the power to ease you into a relaxing calm...but not too relaxed! On the other end of the spectrum is the rocking, rollicking "Night Train" which (along with the suspicious and menacing "A Shot in the Dark" and the superior "Street Scene '58") is the most blasting tune that disturbs the general ease and quiet of the disc. Although Sam Butera's double-shot of "The Boulevard of Broken Dreams" and "Fever" isn't so meek, either. "Boulevard" is Sam at his raspy best, and "Fever" is no less than hilarious (listen to those deep-voiced guys chanting "Feva!") "Like Young" is nice, but totally ruined here if you've heard the beautiful version on Volume 8. Martin Denny turns in an excellent "Harlem Nocturne." "Topsy" takes it nice 'n easy here on an organ (sounds great), but is shown up by Cy Coleman's lovely "Playboy's Theme," from the Playboy show in the '60s. A bachelor's anthem accompanied by a soft touch on the ride cymbal and a gracefully jazzy piano, this tune is just as can be expected--smooth, silky, and sexy, leisurely floating along on gossamer strings. (For a fantastic Latin version of this song, check out Poncho Sanchez's 'Afro-Cuban Fantasy' CD.)There are really two pieces on this volume that steal the thunder from every other track. Everyone who hears this CD raves for days about the John Buzon Trio's spectacular "Caravan." For all the thousands, possibly millions, of versions of this song, you will NEVER hear a better one than this. It pops and slinks and chugs along to a fiercely percolating Latin stripper beat, with the organ taking the bridge and going absolutely insane, much to the listener's delight. It really puts a smile on your face! By the time it's near the end, it's swinging harder than a Louis Prima jam, and you can't wait to hear it again. Fun, silly, sidesplitting, cheesy, and addictive! A must-hear--over and over! The other song that dominates the disc is the strong, seductive organ/piano masterpiece, "The Beast." Words can't properly describe this one, but organist Milt Buckner really outdoes himself on this lounge work of art. These two tracks alone are worth the price of admission. This CD will put anyone under its spell, and is a fine addition to any lounge lizard's library!"

The very best ULTRA-LOUNGE recording of them all

loungelizard7 | 08/07/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I recently discovered "Lounge" music, and have purchased many CDs of this type in the past year. Of these, the "Ultra-Lounge" series seems to be the most consistently enjoyable, and of the "Ultra-Lounge" series, this one is, I feel, the very best. You get saucy, perky, colorful versions of lounge classics such as "Harlem Nocturne," "Night Train," and "Fever." The most enjoyable track of all--especially if you are familiar with the Bettie Page striptease loops from the '50s--is a riveting and sexy version of the ubiquitous "Caravan." (I have about 15 different versions of this song, and the one on this CD is my favorite.) All in all, this is Lounge music at its brashest and brassiest. P.S.: You don't have to be a bachelor to enjoy it."

Lounge Gold

Mr. Continental | California | 03/29/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This collection is almost too cool for the average.
A collection so perfectly paced it leaks retro-cool.
From travelin' music of "Route 66 theme" to the cold rainy Sunday morning sounds of "Black Coffee" this is a must have for the Atomic Lounge cat."