Beatniks and Hipsters '71

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You've waited and wondered with starry eyes, will there be another Ultra Swank compilation? Of course and here it's the first one for 2008. As the title suggests we are moving away from lush cocktail parties, stewardesses and martinis for a while to go down one flight of stairs into the world of swingers, beatniks, hipsters and cool cats. Welcome to the Electric Psychedelic Swingers Pussycat Club downtown London, were we play psychedelic rock and pop from the late '60s and early '70s until the break of dawn.

Trying something different this time, but I hope that you will enjoy it and have as much fun as I did. I wanted it to sound like the songs were recorded live at the club so I have processed them to make them sound heavier and a bit dirty. They are mixed as one long 70 minute set but I have included a alternative download with the tracks separated for those who prefer that instead. This time I have also tried to list the year the song was published in the ID3 data for those who are interested. You can find the links under the track listing below. As always, play it loud, enjoy and give feedback if you like it. Yeah baby!

01. Intro - Entering the Club
02. Strawberry Alarm Clock - Incense And Peppermints
03. The Fleur De Lys - Circles
04. Pearls Before Swine - These Things Too
05. Pink Floyd - Matilda Mother
06. The Carrie Nations - Find It
07. Strawberry Alarm Clock - Hummin' Happy
08. Tinkerbell's Fairydust - Twenty Ten
09. Roger Nichols & The Small Circle of Friends - Don't Take Your Time
10. Jack Arel and Jean Claude Petit - Strange Galaxy
11. Tommy James - Draggin' The Line
12. The Attack - Neville Thumbcatch
13. Alan Hawkshaw - Beat Boutique
14. Pink Floyd - Julia Dream
15. Strawberry Alarm Clock - Birds In My Tree
16. The Attack - We Can Take It
17. The Open Mind - Cast A Spell
18. Michel Legrand - 14 Juillet 70
19. The Who - My Generation
20. Groep 1850 - Little Fly
21. Jefferson Airplane - White Rabbit
22. King Crimson - In The Wake of Poseidon
23. The Bunch - Looking Glass Alice
24. London Underground - Mind the Doors
25. Soft Machine - Dada was Here

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Repost - Retro Christmas

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Per request, here it is again, my retro (sorry... vintage) themed holiday themed compilation! Hope you all are happy now, enjoy!

"The compilation features 25 songs, one for each day until Christmas day. The theme is as the title of the compilation suggests, mostly 50s, 60s and 70s Christmas songs. You will most likely recognize the titles, but probably not have heard them played like this (well, not all of the songs anyway). Happy holidays from Ultra Swank!"

01. Jack Jones - Sleigh Ride
02. Esquivel - Frosty The Snowman
03. The Hollyridge Strings - Santa's Got A Brand New Bag
04. John Barry - Do You Know How Christmas Trees Are Grown
05. Dean Martin - Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
06. Henry Mancini - Winter Wonderland - Silver Bells
07. Eddie Dunstedter - I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus
08. John Klein - Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
09. Esquivel - Sun Valley Ski Run
10. The Hollyridge Strings - Santa Claus is coming to Town
11. Henry Mancini - White Christma
12. Burt Bacharach - The Bell That Couldn't Jingle
13. Esquivel - Here Comes Santa Claus
14. The Hollyridge Strings - Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas
15. Henry Mancini - Frosty The Snow Man
16. Al Caiola & Riz Ortolani - Holiday On Skis
17. Ferrante & Teicher and Les Baxter - Sleigh Ride
18. Esquivel - Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
19. Dean Martin - White Christmas
20. The Metro Strings - Christmas
21. Henry Mancini - The Christmas Song
22. John Klein - Winter Wonderland
23. Fred Waring & His Pennsylvanians - Ring Those Christmas Bells
24. Julie London - I'd Like You For Christmas
25. Stan Kenton - What Is A Santa Claus

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Review of Retro Christmas at Christmas Yuleblog

Shaft! (Shut your mouth)

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"Who's that black private dick who is like a sex machine to all the chicks?" John Shaft of course. The movie Shaft from 1971 is one of the most famous blaxploitation films of all time, not only because of its ultra cool black superhero but also for the award winning score by Isaac Hayes. The main theme for the movie is a guitar driven funk piece with Isaac's hot buttered soul voice driving it forward. There are countless covers and variations of the theme and today I give you fifteen of the best ones. The styles range from psychedelic organs to disco to reggae, there's something for everyone in the family. This compilation is not up to the usual standards and style that visitors of this blog might be used to, but I wanted to share it with you anyway. Feedback and comments are as always greatly appreciated, can you dig it?

01. Ray Conniff - Theme From Shaft
02. Hollyridge Strings - Theme From Shaft
03. Decimo - Theme From Shaft
04. Alan Hawkshaw & His Orchestra - Theme From Shaft
05. Joe Bataan - Theme From Shaft
06. Prophets Of Soul - Theme From Shaft
07. Sammy Davis Jr - John Shaft
08. Eddy And The Soul Band - Theme From Shaft
09. Birds N Brass - Theme From Shaft
10. The Chosen Few - Shaft
11. Bernard Purdie - Theme From Shaft
12. Isaac Hayes - Shaft II
13. Jimmy Mcgriff - The Theme From Shaft
14. Maynard Ferguson - Theme From Shaft
15. The Ventures - Theme From Shaft

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Midnight Martinis

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It is still summer, and still warm so why not cool off with some refreshing Martinis with your loved one? This compilation is the perfect mood setter for anyone enjoying a Martini late at night, gazing out on the quiet streets from your penthouse apartment while a soft breeze blows through the open window. The theme of it is soft dreamy strings, echoing trumpets, haunting choirs and kisses in the dark. Been working on this compilation for quite a while, but couldn't find the right mood for it so it took a while longer than expected to get it done, hope it's been worth the wait. Comments are as always more than welcome. All that is left now is to download it, fix your self a Martini and dream away...

01. Russ Garcia - Sophisticated Lady
02. Frank Sinatra - Put Your Dreams Away
03. Jackie Gleason - But Not for Me
04. Dudley Moore - Waltz For Suzie
05. Helen Merrill - Smog
06. Russ Garcia - Painting the Town Blue
07. Julie London - Around Midnight
08. Hugo Winterhalter - People
09. The John LaSalle Quartet - Night We Called A Day
10. Nelson Riddle - Sea of Dreams
11. Kenyon Hopkins - Lonely Girl
12. Henry Mancini - Call Me Irresponsible
13. Dinah Washington - Drinking Again
14. The Steve Graham Strings - Chances Are
15. Jackie Gleason - I'm in the Mood for Love
16. Russ Garcia - Blue, Blue, Blue
17. Les Baxter - Nevertheless
18. Frank DeVol - Dreamy
19. Ray Coniff - Park Avenue Beat
20. Ennio Morricone - Sexydonna
21. George Shearing - Darn That Dream
22. Al Caiola - I Got it Bad
23. Jackie Gleason - Tenderly
24. Julie London - In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning

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Retro Shopping Volume 2 - Shopping Spree

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It is summer and hot again. Why not return to the nice temperature controlled environment inside the malls one more time? Browse all the exotic goods from all over the world, walking up and down the isles in a dreamy waltz while the soft music echoes through the muzak system and then grab a bite to eat at one of the convenient placed coffee shops. This compilation is the continuation of my 'Retro Shopping' series. The first one was released in July last year and became very popular among the Ultra Swank visitors. The second one features the same kind of happy, cheerful, instrumental easy going music that was played in malls during the 50s and 60s. As a bonus I have included a special montage with shopping related jingles and commercials, just to help you get in the mood. Grab it while supplies last! Feedback is as always appreciated.

(Thank you Keith from Malls of America for use of the postcards)

01. K. Palmer - Shopping Spree
02. Laurie Johnson - Happy-Go-Lucky
03. The Metro Strings - Party Time
04. Walter Stott - Rotten Row
05. J. Beaver - Workaday World
06. Anthony Mawer - Countrywide
07. Billy May - Brassmen's Holiday
08. John Seeley & William Loose - Light Movement #1
09. Roger Roger - En Carriole
10. The World's Fair 1964 - Background Music #1
11. The Metro Strings - Travel
12. Bob Cobert - To Tell The Truth
13. K. Palmer - Holiday Playtime
14. Ivor Slaney - Highlight
15. Walter Scharf - Rita
16. K. Palmer - Hackney Carriage
17. Unknown Artist - Music For Children's Activities
18. Peter Yorke - Micrometer
19. Ivor Slaney - Dresden Blue
20. Robert Farnon - Sophistication Waltz
21. Anthony Mawer - Painted Carousels
22. Robert Farnon - Mr. Punch
23. Roger Roger - Pleasure Drive
24. Philip Green - Miami Beach
25. Bonus Track - Attention All Shoppers

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Voices from a Photograph

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Here it is, my latest compilation "Voices from a Photograph". I have been working on this compilation for quite some time now, almost a year in the making. Took a long time to find songs that fitted the mood and title of the compilation. The basic theme of it is mood music for rainy Sundays, melancholic, dreamy vocal pop mixed with instrumental music and songs from movies from the late 1960s up to the mid 1970s. I am sure you will recognize some of them, especially if you are a movie buff (like me). The compilation clocks in at about 60 minutes and is available to download from the links below. Enjoy, and please give me feedback if you like it!

01. Scott Walker - It's Raining Today
02. Nick de Caro & Orchestra - I'm Gonna Make You Love Me
03. Dominic Frontiere - When Were Your Dreams Worth Remembering
04. Dino, Desi & Billy - Thru Spray Colored Glasses
05. Elmer Bernstein - Nearing East Proctor
06. The Velvet Underground & Nico - Sunday Morning
07. Michel Legrand - Theme From The Thomas Crown Affair
08. The Hollyridge Strings - Scarborough Fair
09. Scott Walker - Rosemary
10. Henry Mancini - Natasha In Venice
11. The Cyrkle - It's a Lovely Game Louise
12. Michael Legrand - Main Title from Pretty Polly
13. Jerry Goldsmith - Claudie's Stockings
14. Brian Bennett - Thoughtful
15. The Free Design - My Brother Woody
16. The Velvet Underground & Nico - Femme Fatale
17. John Barry - The Man on a Scooter
18. Quincy Jones - On Days Like These
19. Scott Walker - Copenhagen
20. Richard R. Bennett - Anya
21. Marvin Hamlisch - Lovely Hair
22. Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent - Gotta Get Away
23. Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood - Some Velvet Morning
24. Dennis Farnon - Lonely Promenade

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Space Age Lounge Volume 1 - Ultra Swank Living

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Here it is, the compilation that started everything. This compilation was actually compiled a few months before I started this place back in september 2005 and I decided to keep the name Ultra Swank for this site. This compilation was the first compilation I had done in many years, so it is not as solid as my later compilations, i.e. Space Age Lounge Volume 3 and Volume 2. The theme for it is, as the title suggests, Ultra Swank living set in the 1950s and 1960s. The general mood of the compilation is happy, bright and swank with a slight soundtrack feeling (some of the tracks were obviously taken from movie scores). There are 24 tracks in total and it clocks in at about one hour. Grab it while supplies last.

01. Diana Dors - Roller Coaster Blues
02. Henri Rene - Whispering
03. J.J. Debout - Sun-Kissed Chicks
04. The New Classic Singers - Call Me
05. Les Baxter - Hong Kong Cable Car
06. Henry Mancini - Breakfast at Tiffany's
07. James Clarke - Double Take
08. Hugo Montenegro - Solo Busanova
09. Burt Bacherat - Are You There (With Another Girl)
10. George Shearing Quintet - As Long As I Live-Let's Live Again
11. James Clarke - Holiday People
12. Neil Richardson - Rio Magic
13. Judy Holliday - Occasional Man
14. John Barry - Look Around
15. Terry Snyder - Guys and Dolls
16. Jack Jones - Wives And Lovers
17. The MGM Studio Orchestra - Bachelor In Paradise
18. Richard Marino & His Orchestra - Rots-O-Ruck
19. Alan Hawkshaw - Holiday Commercial
20. The MGM Studio Orchestra - Fashion Show
21. Mel Tormé - Sunday In New York
22. David Whitaker - Hammerhead's Apartment
23. Jo Stafford - The Gentleman Is A Dope
24. Les Baxter & The 101 Strings - Love Beat Of The City

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Space Age Lounge Volume 2 - Red Carpet Ride

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Since many of you have requested my previous two volumes of "Space Age Lounge", I have decided to share them with you here. First off is volume 2, which is called "Red Carpet Ride". It is a tribute to the swank Hollywood premieres and jet set lifestyle of the 1960s. The music is mostly soft and easy going with lots of strings, vibes and flutes. The compilation features (as always) 24 lush tracks and clocks in at about 60 minutes. Enjoy and be sure to comment if you like it!

01. John Shakespeare - Red Carpet Ride
02. Bob Thompson - The Song is You
03. Syd Dale - San Francisco Bay
04. Alan Hawkshaw - Next Stop L.A.
05. Richard Myhill - Celebrity Newsreel
06. Keith Mansfield - The Green Room
07. Dave Pell - This Could Be The Start Of Something
08. Keith Mansfield - Je Reviens
09. Bert Kaempfert - My Way Of Life
10. Syd Dale - The Hollywood Scene
11. Otto Sieben - Curly Shirley
12. Marc Shaiman - Girls Night Out
13. Edwin Astley - Recumbent Love
14. Nelson Riddle - Sao Paulo
15. Syd Dale - London Life
16. Alan Hawkshaw - Bluebird
17. Neal Hefti - City Style
18. Syd Dale - Fly the Magic Carpet
19. Hugo Montenegro - Lady In Cement
20. Y. Nilovic - Chantelle's Party
21. Orchestra George Delagaye - Bossa Party
22. Astrud Gilberto - Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words)
23. Nelson Riddle - Time And Space
24. Polish Radio Orchestra - Enjoy Yourself

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Various Artists - Retro Christmas

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Since Christmas is almost upon us, I thought it would be a great idea to share a special Christmas compilation with you fine folks. This is a custom made compilation made for this blog, the compilation features 25 songs, one for each day until Christmas day. The theme is as the title of the compilation suggests, mostly 50s, 60s and 70s Christmas songs. You will most likely recognize the titles, but probably not have heard them played like this (well, not all of the songs anyway). Happy holidays from Ultra Swank!

Review of Retro Christmas at A Christmas Yuleblog

01. Jack Jones - Sleigh Ride
02. Esquivel - Frosty The Snowman
03. The Hollyridge Strings - Santa's Got A Brand New Bag
04. John Barry - Do You Know How Christmas Trees Are Grown
05. Dean Martin - Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
06. Henry Mancini - Winter Wonderland - Silver Bells
07. Eddie Dunstedter - I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus
08. John Klein - Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
09. Esquivel - Sun Valley Ski Run
10. The Hollyridge Strings - Santa Claus is coming to Town
11. Henry Mancini - White Christma
12. Burt Bacharach - The Bell That Couldn't Jingle
13. Esquivel - Here Comes Santa Claus
14. The Hollyridge Strings - Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas
15. Henry Mancini - Frosty The Snow Man
16. Al Caiola & Riz Ortolani - Holiday On Skis
17. Ferrante & Teicher and Les Baxter - Sleigh Ride
18. Esquivel - Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
19. Dean Martin - White Christmas
20. The Metro Strings - Christmas
21. Henry Mancini - The Christmas Song
22. John Klein - Winter Wonderland
23. Fred Waring & His Pennsylvanians - Ring Those Christmas Bells
24. Julie London - I'd Like You For Christmas
25. Stan Kenton - What Is A Santa Claus

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Space Age Lounge Volume 3 - Love at First Flight

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As hinted in a previous post, here is my latest custom made compilation! The theme for this one is jet travel in the late 60s / early 70s - which basically means lots of delicious strings, brass and soft bass lines in every form. This is the kind of music you would listen to when you jet-setted around the globe first class in a Boeing 747. For all you airline buffs out there, I have included a bit of history of Pan AM jet flight as a bonus track. The compilation clocks in at about 70 minutes, features 25 tracks and I have already tested out this compilation on some friends of mine and they love it - I hope you will too!

01. Yoshinori Sunahara - Theme from Take-Off
02. The Alan Tews Orchestra & Chorus - Let's Fly
03. Briamonte Orchestra - Rota Sul
04. Claude Bolling - Boeing 747
05. John Cacavas - Theme (from Airport 1975)
06. Dominic Frontiere - Embassy Row
07. Manfred Minnich - High In the Sky
08. Franck Pourcel & Orchestre - On Ne Vit Que Deux Fois
09. Don Innes - Lovers in the Park
10. Hartmut Kiesewetter - Fly With Me
11. Dominic Frontiere - Love Theme
12. Burnie Whilbley - Concorde
13. I. Martin & B. Dee - Right on Tune
14. John Cacavas - Main Title (from Airport 1975)
15. Piero Piccioni - Party Music (Alternate 2)
16. The Roger Webb Sound - Play Girl
17. Philippe Sarde - Samba Multicolore
18. Nelson Riddle - My Life
19. Roy Budd - Hurry to Me
20. Bill Geldard - City By Night
21. Werner Drexler - Velvet Piano
22. Duncan Lamont - Lazy Sunday
23. David Snell - Light and Easy
24. Yoshinori Sunahara - Theme from Landing
25. Bonus Track - Pan Am History

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Retro Shopping Volume 1 - Music to Buy Toasters By

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Since it is summer and very hot outside (at least here in Sweden), many people prefer to stay indoors in a temperature-controlled environment. So why not spend some time at your local mall? This is a exclusive custom made compiltion for this website, to celebrate the mood and feel of the American malls from the 1950s and 1960s. This compilation has everything a mall need to make their vistors feel relaxed. From "happy-go-lucky" fast-paced rythms to swank fashion show mood music. It even features a Christmas themed song for the holiday season! There are 24 tracks in total and the length of the compliation clocks in at about 70 minutes. Enjoy! (A special thanks to Keith from Malls of America for the postcards).

01. Charles Williams - Workroom
02. Ivor Slaney - Window Gazing
03. The Metro Strings - Vacation Time
04. Walter Scott - Fun in the Sun
05. Eddie Thomas and his Orchestra - Park Lane Stroll - Park Lane Stroll
06. Bernard Herrmann - Twisted Nerve (Third Phaze Edit)
07. Walter Scharf - Tango of Hope
08. Ivor Slaney - Early Dusk
09. John Seeley and William Loose - Fashion Fox Trot
10. Special Recordings - Hoedown
11. Ivor Osborne - Around the House
12. Roger Roger - Through The Town
13. The Metro Strings - Christmas
14. Clive Richardson - Mannequin Melody
15. The Price Is Right - Spring Waltz
16. The MGM Studio Orchestra - Fashion Show
17. Buddy Baker - Monorail Song
18. Dominic Frontiere - Sophisticated
19. Harold Smart - Bright Spark
20. Roger Roger - Haute Couture
21. Richard and Robert Sherman - Music to Buy Toasters By
22. Richard Addinsell - Invitation Waltz
23. J. Rhodes - Shopping Spree
24. Walter Scharf - Fantastic Rhumba

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