Percy Faith and his Orchestra - Passport to Romance (1956)

Percy Faith was one of the premier "Mood Music" composers of the 1950's and 60's, and along with his pal Mitch Miller, remains one of the premier artists in dollar bins and thrift store record boxes around the country to this day (second only perhaps to Barbara Streisand herself). This lingering influence only goes to show just how popular Percy Faith's sound was at the time, and for good reason: the music is dynamic, with personality to spare.

This album explores matters of the heart by way of various European compositions - everything from Waltzes to Tangos, and from French carousels to enchanting Elvish forests. Sometimes the music is romantic in a grand tragic sense, and sometimes in a cheeky 60's Hollywood sense. 

You can do many things while listening to this album. You can wear a leotard and pretend to be a cat, you can kick your legs in the air like a Russian dancing man, you can pretend to have a forbidden love with a member of the French underground, or you can frolic around with a deranged look on your face like Ren & Stimpy on one of their good days. Truly "mood music" for every romantic expression.

ENJOY

Les Surfs - Cosi' Come Viene/In Un Fiore 7" (1966)

Les Surfs were a brother-sister sextet, originally from Madagascar. They gained international success in the 1960's, producing most of their music in France, but they also released records in Italy and Spain, along with the rare English language track.

This 7" was released in Italy (vocals in Italian) in 1966. The two songs are both fun, upbeat 60's Pop, and the B-side has a pretty strong Tango influence. The record sleeve claims that the songs were arranged and composed by Sam Clayton, but I'm not sure if it's the same Sam Clayton of Little Feat fame. Nothing was mentioned on Discogs, but this would pretty much represent the earliest stages of his career if so. This 7" was purchased for me in Italy by my sister.

Side A: "Cosi' Come Viene"

Side B: "In Un Fiore"