Miscellaneous Pop Percussion
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At the core of both "space-age pop" and "exotica" is percussion. In the case of the former, percussion is the most dramatic yet unwearying way to demonstrate channel separation (left channel versus right channel in stereo). Pop percussion uses all manner of drum, bell, gong, block, marimba, etc., often in very non-traditional (experimental, jazzy) arrangements. "Exotic" percussion is the most immediate way for studio musicians to conjure up the primitive. The simple addition of a bongo fill seemingly can transform a whitebread standard into a haunting, Afro-Cuban mood piece. Whether or not the intent is an exotic mood, the adventurous use of unusual percussion distinguishes good pop from the drum-kit tedium characteristic of most rock and jazz of the period. It may be sensationalism, but done well it is at least not monotonous and often fantastic. Besides instrumental records, there are many instances of singers, particularly female, backed by ensembles featuring Latin percussion. Buying: Many pop LPs suggesting "percussion" are nothing special. Look for the albums led by percussionists or with a percussion instrument in the title. Beyond that, it is just a matter of knowing percussionists. |
Pop Percussion LPs
| Rating | |
| 6 | Leo Addeo: The Music Goes 'Round and 'Round; RCA Victor LSA-2353; 1961 |
| 5 | Leo Addeo: Paradise Regained; RCA Victor LSA-2414; 1961 |
| 4 | Leo Addeo: A Sound Spectacular in Total Dynamics; RCA Camden CAS-2276; 1968 |
| 7 | Manny Albam: Drum Feast; United Artists UAS-6079; 1960 |
| 6 | Leo Arnaud: Marimbita; Liberty LRP-3088; 1957 (Anita Ekberg jacket) |
| 6 | Frank Barber: Sound in the Round--Melodic Percussion; Capitol ST-2794 |
| 7 | The Frank Barber Percussion: Deep Percussion; Polydor 24-4508; 1970 |
| 8 | Hal Blaine: Psychedelic Percussion; ABC/Dunhill D-50019 |
| 7 | Clyde Borly & his Percussions: Music in 5 Dimensions; Atlantic/Atco SD-33-195; 1966 |
| 8 | Harry Breuer: Mallet Magic; Audio Fidelity AFSD-5825; 1958 |
| 5 | Harry Breuer: Mallet Mischief; Audio Fidelity AFSD-5882; 1958 |
| 4 | Harry Breuer: The Happy Sound of Ragtime; Audio Fidelity AFSD-5912; 1960 |
| Harry Breuer: Percussive Vaudeville; Audio Fidelity AF-3001 | |
| 6 | David Carroll: Percussion in Hi-Fi; Mercury SR-60003 |
| 4 | David Carroll: Percussion Orientale; Mercury PPS-6002 |
| 6 | David Carroll: Hey, LISTEN Baby--Let's DANCE; Mainstream S-6095 |
| 6 | Jimmy Carroll & the Percussionists: Speed the Parting Guest--Hi-Fi Bull in a Chime Shop 10"; Cook (Mad Music; Rondo ST-513--stereo 12" w/Reginald Foort) |
| 6 | Don Catelli & the All-Stars: Passionate Percussion; Premier Directional Sound DS-5009 |
| 6 | Panama Francis" Exploding Drums!; CBS/Epic BN-629/LN-3839 (breakbeat drums/mod soul/dance rock) |
| 6 | Marty Gold: Skin Tight (w/insert); RCA Victor LSP-2230; 1960 |
| 9 | Dickie Harrell: Drums and More Drums; Capitol ST-1502 (2 cuts on Wild Stereo Drums compilation) |
| 4 | Kenyon Hopkins: Sound Tour--Hawaii; Verve V6-50003 |
| 6 | The Hollywood "Pops" Orchestra: Motion in Percussion; Sonic Workshop 0100; 1960 (Robert Lowden, D.L. Miller, Irv Cottler, Larry Bunker..) |
| 6 | Ricardo Juarez & his Orchestra: Happy Time Cha Chas; Grand Award GA-254-SD; 1960 |
| 7 | Phil Kraus: The Percussive Phil Kraus; Golden Crest CR-3004 (jacket may be color or b/w) |
| Phil Kraus: Conflict; Golden Crest CR-4004 | |
| 7 | Phil Kraus/Living Percussion: The Beat Goes On; RCA Camden CAS-2255; 1969 (w/Dick Hyman) |
| 5 | Enoch Light & the Light Brigade Play I Want to Be Happy Cha Chas; Grand Award GA-222-SD; 1958 |
| 3 | Enoch Light & the Light Brigade Play Happy Cha Chas Vol. 2; Grand Award GA-227-SD; 1958 |
| 5 | Enoch Light & the Light Brigade: Pertinent Percussion Cha Chas; Grand Command RS-814-SD; 1960 |
| 7 | Enoch Light & the Light Brigade: Future Sound Shock; Project 3 PR-5077-SD; 1972 (conga, some sitar) |
| 4 | Marimba Chiapas: Marimba Mambo y Cha-Cha-Cha; Audio Fidelity AFLP-1802; 1957 |
| 4 | Marimba Chiapas: Marimbas Mexicanas; Capitol DT-10043 |
| 6 | Roger King Mozian: Spectacular Percussion; MGM SE-3845 |
| 5 | Roger King Mozian: Spectacular Percussion Goes Latin; MGM SE-3921 |
| 7 | Byron Parker & his Percussion Ensemble: Nothing But Percussion Volume 1; Westminster WST-15064 |
| 5 | Henri Rene: Riot in Rhythm; RCA Victor LSP-2002; 1958 |
| 5 | Milton Rogers: The Ultimate in Percussion; Dot SLP-25319 |
| 8 | Milton Rogers: The Jet Set--Ports of Call; Time S-2202 |
| 4 | Bob Rosengarden & Phil Kraus: Hollywood Sound Stage; Decca DL-74184 |
| 6 | Bob Rosengarden & Phil Kraus: Like--Bongos!; Time S-2025 |
| 7 | Bob Rosengarden & Phil Kraus: Percussion--Playful & Pretty; RCA Victor CSP-113; 1965 |
| 6 | Bob Rosengarden & Phil Kraus: Hot Line for Sound; Project 3 PR-5002-SD; 1966 ("Musical Explorations in Beats...Bongos...Boffs") |
| 6 | Lani Royal & Diamond Head Band: Percussive Pineapples; Kapp Medallion MS-7516; 1961 |
| 3 | Chuck Sagle: Ping Pong Percussion; CBS/Epic BN-568 |
| 5 | Dick Schory: Music for Bang, Baa-room & Harp; RCA Victor LSP-1866; 1958 |
| 6 | Dick Schory: Music to Break Any Mood; RCA Victor LSP-2125; 1960 |
| 4 | Dick Schory: Wild Percussion & Horns A'Plenty; RCA Victor LSP-2289; 1962 |
| 5 | Dick Schory: Runnin' Wild; RCA Victor Stereo Action LSA-2306; 1961 |
| 3 | Dick Schory: Stereo Action Goes Broadway; RCA Victor LSA-2382; 1961 |
| 5 | Dick Schory: Holiday for Percussion; RCA Victor LSA-2485; 1962 |
| 4 | Dick Schory: Supercussion; RCA Victor LSP-2613; 1963 |
| 6 | Dick Schory: Politely Percussive; RCA Victor LSP-2738; 1963 |
| 4 | Dick Schory on Tour; RCA Victor LSP-2806; 1964 |
| 4 | Dick Schory & his Percussion Pops Orchestra: The Happy Hits; RCA Victor LSP-2926; 1964 |
| 5 | Dick Schory: Carnegie Hall (2-LP); Ovation 14-10-2; 1970 |
| 5 | Mike Simpson: The Opposite Sides of Mike; Concert-Disc CS-26; (c)1956 |
| 4 | Mike Simpson: Discussion in Percussion; Mercury PPS-6004 |
| 6 | Felix Slatkin Conducts Fantastic Percussion; Liberty LST-7150 |
| Terry Snyder & All Stars: Persuasive Percussion; Command | |
| 4 | Terry Snyder & All Stars: Persuasive Percussion Vol. 2; Command RS-808SD; 1959 |
| Terry Snyder & All Stars: Footlight Percussion; United Artists WWS-7508 | |
| 4 | Terry Snyder & All Stars: Gentle Purr-cussion; United Artists WWS-7521 |
| 4 | Terry Snyder & All Stars: Mister Percussion; United Artists WWS-8500 (Unique Percussion) |
| 6 | Ted Sommer: Percussive Mariachi; Solid State SS-18012; 1967 |
| 6 | Sam Ulano's Conception of Commercial Drumming; Lane LP-142; 1959 (spoken instruction w/booklet "Practical Guide for the Working Drummer") |
| 3 | West Virginia University Percussion Ensemble: Protest in Percussion; Century 27981 |
| 6 | West York Area High School Percussion Ensemble: Sound of Percussion; 1965 (York, PA; w/guest conductor Dick Schory) |
| 7 | Forrest Wood: Music for the Jazz Class; Hoctor HLP-3051 (dir. Bob Audy; Stanley Krell, drums) |
| 8 | Various: Wild Stereo Drums; Capitol ST-1553 (part compilation; essential for 3 bongo cuts by Pepe Dominguin & cuts from Les Baxter & Dick Harrell LPs) |
Partly Pop Percussion LPs
| Rating | |
| 6 | Vico Anthony & his Percussion Paesanos: Percussion Italiano! |
| 4 | Russ Case: Fiery Popular Dance Rhythms; Rondolette SA-162 |
| 6 | Russ Case: Dances Wild; RCA Vik LX-1085; 1957/1956 |
| 7 | Jack Fascinato Arranges Things; Stepheny MF-4004 (w/Doris Drew & the Mellowmen) |
| 7 | Hugo Montenegro: Love Theme from The Godfather; RCA Victor APD1-0001; 1972 ("Stutterology") |
| 7 | Tito Puente: Lo Mejor de (The Best of, "Fancy Feet"); Tico SLP-1203 (compilation) |
| 7 | Uncredited: Sound Effects; Robert Hall RH-1/2 (production; space/gong/horror) |
| 3 | Various: The Best of the Great Motion Picture Themes (Frank Barber's Sound-in the Round: "More (Mondo Cane)"); Capitol Creative Products; SL-6601 |
Pop Percussion 7" 45s/EPs
| Rating | |
| 8 | Bobby Christian, the Man with a Sound: Caravan/Boola; Stepheny SF-1833 (percussion, guitar) |
| 8 | Jack Fascinato: Diggin' Duggan/Road Runner; Stepheny SF-1827 |
| 5 | Richard Maltby featuring Terry Snyder: Viberant Percussion; Sesac/Repertory AD-67 (4-cut EP w/vibes & marimba) |
Hyp Records is a 3-part guide:
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