VARIOUS ARTISTS -- Ultra Lounge Volume 18: Bottoms Up! (Capitol)

Capitol has amassed almost two dozen titles in their sprawling Ultra Lounge series (not counting the Christmas and On the Rocks collections - both of which are outstanding), and they show no signs of running out of good material. All your favorite loungemeisters appear on Bottom Up! in top form--Martin Denny, Al Caiola, Billy May, and a host of others. The thing that is so great about this CD is the material itself. The tracks come from assorted albums and singles, plus a few previously unreleased cuts.

Highlights on this CD are everywhere. Julie London's "Hot Toddy" gives you that warm feeling that only a hot toddy can. Billy May's take on "Music to Watch Girls By" has the necessary swagger needed to pull it off, and his version of "Slick" really cooks. Terry Snyder serves up an energetic rendition of the Frank Loesser standard "Guys and Dolls." Al Caiola does a great job with Henry Mancini's "Baby Elephant Walk," and April Stevens oozes sensuality on "I Want a Lip."

Bottoms Up! is a great collection for someone who is just getting into the lounge scene. It has the familiarity that a newbie will want, yet still manages to keep things interesting enough for the more experienced lounge fans as well. Grab your smoking jacket, dim the lights and enjoy!

TRACK LIST:

Fandango (Martin Denny) * Big Noise From Winnetka / Midnight Swim (Al Caiola) * Hot Toddy (Julie London) * Mah-Na, Mah-Na (Leroy Holmes) * Music to Watch Girls By / Slick (Billy May) * Oh, Honey (Gloria Wood) * Guys and Dolls (Terry Snyder) * Cute (Denny McLain) * No Matter What Shape (Your Stomach's In) / Tijuana Taxi (New Classic Singers) * The Donkey Serenade (Martin Denny) * Baby Elephant Walk / Java (Al Caiola / Billy May) * Potluck (The John La Salle Quartet) * Rots-o-Ruck (Richard Marino) * Squatty Roo (The John Ruxon Trio) * Twang (Jack Costanzo) * I Want a Lip (April Stevens) * Deep Purple / 'S Wonderful (Dr. Samuel Hoffman) * Quiet Village - Moog Version (Martin Denny) * Lisbon Antigua (Nelson Riddle)

© 1997 Steve Marshall