ASTRO SOUNDS

Original Released as LP Alshire S-5119
(CANADA, 1968)

It's 1968. Imagine the average consumer of 101 Strings-brand mood music settling into his or her easy chair to enjoy the latest offering, "Astro Sounds From Beyond the Year 2000". The cover art seems a little odd, but a softly burbling moog could add a hint of hipness to an otherwise relaxing aural massage. Then track one kicks in with freaky treated guitar, a heavy rock drumbeat, and dissonant sound effects. Immediately the record is ripped off the turntable and replaced with Romantic Songs of the Sea to soothe away the upsetting memory of 101 Strings gone horribly wrong. This fantasy scenario must have played out often enough in real life that 101 Strings, under a hail of complaints, stopped offering "experimental" albums. But for those who enjoy camp classics and colossal marketing blunders, "Astro Sounds" is a fun and far-out instrumental album that, in places, rocks nearly as hard as any psychedelic pop group of the era. (Greg Adams in Allmusic).

101 STRINGS - "Plus One"

Original released on LP Marble Arch MALS 1191

(US, 1969)

LES BAXTER & 101 STRINGS - "Que Mango!"

Original released on LP Alshire S 5204

(US, 1970)

Les Baxter's "Que Mango!" is considered one of the hallmark albums of the exotica genre, and also his last great release. The album's liner notes claim it to be the last of the first generation exotica albums - and that it was originally sold in grocery stores for $1.99! Baxter's popularity waned in the late '60s and an offer to record with the world's largest orchestra, the 101 Strings resulted in "Que Mango!". The album is an attempt to capture a South American vibe on what is often described as his "virtual tourist" albums. Baxter's Best may have a higher percentage of his better (and more accessible) songs, but it is the thematically unified albums that exotica fans will get more use out of. Recorded in January of 1970, "Que Mango!" is a fun, lush, orchestral album for creating a go-go, jet-set party atmosphere. This functional use side-steps the reality of the album and the exotica genre itself, which is that lounge instrumentals are not the easiest music to listen to without a cocktail in your hand or a barbecue going on. Standout tracks include "Tropicando," "Flight in the Andes," and "Jungle Montuno." Les Baxter's last non-soundtrack album is a pleasant, but hardly essential, purchase. (J.T. Griffith in AllMusic)

101 STRINGS Play Million Seller Hits Of Today

Original released on LP Alshire S-5156

(US, 1969)

101 STRINGS: "Love Is Blue"