Various, Welcome To The Ultra-Lounge - CD

1 in stock
$80.00
Artist - Ultra-Lounge
Format - CD
Genre - Jazz, Pop, and Lounge
Year - 1996
Country - United States
Grading (record) - Mint
Grading (sleeve) - Mint

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Description

Limited Edition - Leopard Skin Material Cover - 24 Songs from the Ultra-Lounge Series

Various Artists – Welcome to the Ultra-Lounge

Artist: Various Artists

Title: Welcome to the Ultra-Lounge (Sampler / Intro to the Series)

Format: CD (Original Pressing)

Original Release Date: 1996

Label: Capitol Records (Catalog: CDP 7243 8 38356 2 1)

Genre: Exotica / Lounge / Space Age Pop / Easy Listening

Background & Production Welcome to the Ultra-Lounge served as the perfect introduction to Capitol Records' wildly successful Ultra-Lounge series. Released during the mid-90s "Lounge Revival," this sampler showcased the kitschy, sophisticated, and often bizarre music from Capitol’s extensive vaults recorded between the 1950s and 1960s. The series was produced by Brad Benedict, Cyndi Braun, and Wayne Watkins, who meticulously restored these high-fidelity "Bachelor Pad" recordings for a new generation of cocktail enthusiasts.

Musical Composition & Style The album is a sonic journey through palm-fringed tiki bars and high-rise penthouse parties.

  • The Tracks: Features legendary masters of the genre including Martin Denny ("Quiet Village"), Les Baxter, Julie London, and Dean Martin.

  • Variety: The disc covers various sub-genres, from the tropical "Exotica" of Arthur Lyman to the swanky "Crime Jazz" and "Space Age" orchestrations of Billy May and Dick Hyman.

  • Kitsch Appeal: It includes the iconic cover of "Tequila" and humorous lounge-staples like "The Girl from Ipanema."

  • Audio Quality: Known for its "Hi-Fi" excellence, the recordings highlight the lush strings, vibraphones, and bird calls that defined the era's stereo-demonstration records.

Original CD & Collector Notes The Ultra-Lounge series is famous for its over-the-top, consistent packaging.

  • The "Furry" Case: While this specific sampler was often a standard jewel case, the series became iconic for its fake-fur-lined digipaks.

  • Identification: The original 1996 US pressing features the Capitol Records logo and the catalog number CDP 7243 8 38356 2 1.

  • The "Coaster" Disc: The CD face is printed to look like a colorful, vintage drink coaster, a hallmark of the series' attention to detail.

  • The Booklet: Features "Recipe" suggestions for cocktails and humorous liner notes about "proper lounge etiquette," which became a staple of every volume in the collection.

  • Market Note: This sampler is often the gateway for collectors who eventually hunt down all 20+ volumes of the main series and the various "Sub-series" like Bachelor Pad Fiesta and Christmas Cocktails.

    • Keywords: Welcome to the Ultra-Lounge, Various Artists, Original CD, 1996, Capitol Records, Exotica, Space Age Pop, Lounge Music, Martin Denny, Bachelor Pad.

    • Collection Ideas: Mid-90s Lounge Revival, Tiki & Exotica Essentials, High-Fidelity Retro Pop, Capitol Records Vault Series.

    • Related Artists: Martin Denny, Les Baxter, Esquivel, Julie London, Burt Bacharach.
Click for Grading Scale

MINT - sealed

NM - likely never played - almost perfect

VG+ - light scuffs, light scratches wont effect play

VG -  signs of wear, light scratches you can feel

GOOD -  surface noise, visible groove wear

POOR / FAIR- some damage, causing issues like skipping & distorted audio

OIS - original inner sleeve
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