(Cherry Red) www.cherryred.co.uk
This brilliant compilation of spy jazz
and crime surf and secret agent fuzz and dangerous curves had me checking
the dashboard of the Intrepid for the hidden button that launches the
stealth rockets out of the rear bumper. What we have here is the
swingingest sounds from obscure spy thrillers and TV shows and exotica
records from 1962-1972 all cleverly packaged in one easily concealed,
pin-striped, silencer-fitted hip flask of retro-cool. It would be quite
the impossible mission to mention every highlight on this absolutely
necessary collection, but some of the many choice cuts include the flute
and vibes driven slow burner "Yes and No" by Des Champ, the
midnight creeper "Ghost Squad" by the Tony Hatch Orchestra,
which consists of one lonely whistler and a skeletal jazz band, the
Spaghetti western meets surf city guitar and bongo frenzy of "A Night
With Nuki" by the Brian Marshall Orchestra, and the funeral band goes
Bossa Nova swing of the "Penthouse" theme by Johnny Hawksworth.
There's also some easily recognizable tracks on deck, like "The
Saint" theme by Edwin Astley, "Live and Let Die" by David
Lloyd and his London Orchestra, and "Mission Impossible" by the
Mike Hurst Orchestra. Man, I feel cooler just typing all those cats' names
out. Listen, if you're not down with go-go dancing dragon lady Kissy
Suzuki, you better pick up the Thriller Memorandum, but quick. The dossier
included will explain everything, just make sure you destroy the evidence
before the Reds or the Pinkos or somebody gets their filthy mitts on it.
Martinis and buxom Siberian double agents optional, but encouraged.