Chocolate Whiskey & Vanilla Gin http://www.fishpond.co.nz/Music/Chocolate-Whiskey-Vanilla-Gin-Edmundo-Ros/0008637214722

1948-1949

Artist: Edmundo Ros

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• Personnel: Edmundo Ros (vocals, timbales, percussion); Ray Dempsey (guitar); Ken Dryden (flute, saxophone, tenor saxophone); Eric Spencer (piano); Jack Peach (drums).
  
• Audio Remasterer: Charlie Crump.
  
• Recording information: Broadhurst Gardens, West Hampst (10/07/1948-08/26/1949).
  
• Chocolate Whiskey & Vanilla Gin is the sixth volume in Harlequin's series devoted to the early recordings of Britain's most successful Latin dance band leader, Edmundo Ros. It focuses upon recordings he made between October 1948 and August 1949. There are numerous examples of Ros as vocalist, and here is evidence that the novelty pop formula he would use throughout the `50s was already in place. "Society" offers sarcastic advice about civilized behavior (for example, only throw your garbage out the window at night). "Chocolate Whiskey and Vanilla Gin" is a made-to-order topical calypso, while the "Humphrey Bogart Rhumba" comes across as little more than a Hollywood name dropfest. The cheery "Cuanto le Gusta" was also recorded by Xavier Cugat. This collection's half-dozen instrumental tracks lend substance and depth, particularly the inviting "Copacabana" and the very danceable "Cumana." The last three selections find the Ros unit carrying on in a more subtle and creative manner, and may serve as a reminder that the leader was an accomplished percussionist who was particularly adept with the timbales. Eric Spencer engages in some marvelously extroverted piano playing, "Doing the Samba" features Ray Dempsey's guitar, and the bass clarinet on "The Bullfrog" was probably handled by tenor saxophonist and flutist Ken Dryden. ~ arwulf arwulf