Claus Ogerman And His Orchestra

Claus Ogerman and His Orchestra – Watusi Trumpets (1965/2015) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · November 24, 2022 · Comments off

Now that we’re in the full swing of the summer season, it seemed logical to go for an album this month with a sunny disposition. So let me make the disclaimer that the music on this LP will not change your life and I make no claims for innovation or anything earth shattering. But with your hi-fi setup close to the pool or deck, a libation of your choice in hand, and possibly a dance partner, you might find Watusi Trumpets to be a sunny finger popping disc.

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Claus Ogerman and His Orchestra – Soul Searchin’ (1965/2015) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · November 24, 2022 · Comments off

Of Claus Ogerman’s four mod albums for Victor, Soul Searchin’ is a favorite for many because the theme, and certainly the tunes, are hip. As Ogerman’s liner notes explain, he ranks soul third in significance after pop and jazz. In any case, Ogerman does a competent job covering all these songs; the title track (an Ogerman original) can be called funky, even. A large factor is Dick Hyman’s Lowrey organ; his facility with both jazz and soul is in full evidence here. “The End of the Line” was a hit for Vinnie Bell, but the greater significance is that it was written by Pat Williams and Phil Ramone. The Ogerman albums on Victor share a great deal with the mod albums on Verve by Williams, Kai Winding, and others. Veering away from pop and toward soul-jazz, Soul Searchin’ has a peppy jazz-boogaloo beat that feels neither constrained nor ponderous. The surprise is that it works.

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Claus Ogerman and His Orchestra – Saxes Mexicanos (1966/2016) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · November 24, 2022 · Comments off

Like many a mod album, Saxes Mexicanos capitalized on the success of Herb Alpert. The term “swinging mariachi” may be as dubious as the album’s title, but there are some swinging tunes here. With Ogerman, you can always count on top players and interesting arrangements. Dick Hyman turns in fantastic (but uncredited) contributions on the Lowrey organ on several upbeat numbers. Highlights include “Dardanella” (which belongs in the mod hall of fame), Artie Shaw’s “Nightmare,” and Roger Miller’s “King of the Road.” While the first side is consistently strong, side two has a sizable hole in the middle. Saxes Mexicanos may not sound as compelling as Soul Searchin’ or Watusi Trumpets, but it does boast top players and prime Ogerman arrangements.

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Claus Ogerman and His Orchestra – A Salute to Sam Cooke (1966/2016) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · November 24, 2022 · Comments off

This prolific arranger and orchestrator moved from Europe to the United States in 1959 and began an association with the Verve label, where his arrangements were featured on albums by Frank Sinatra and Antonio Carlos Jobim (1967’s Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim — the first of two collaborative albums by the pair), Astrud Gilberto, Bill Evans, Wes Montgomery, Stan Getz, Cal Tjader, and other leading artists. Having worked with producer Creed Taylor on numerous Verve albums during the ’60s, Ogerman continued his partnership with Taylor following the establishment of the A&M-affiliated CTI label, arranging albums including Jobim’s classic Wave, released in 1967 as only the second album under the CTI imprint.

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