The Brass Ring - The Flight of the Phoenix (1966)

The Brass Ring

-The Flight of the Phoenix-

Dunhill Records-Stereo

The Brass Ring was a group of American studio musicians led by saxophonist and arranger Phil Bodner. They were based in New York City and were stylistically similar to Herb Alpert and other "Now Sound" instrumental pop groups from the 1960s, although the twin-sax sound more closely resembles Billy Vaughn, whose biggest hits were in the 50s. In addition to several successful albums, they had two hit singles. The first, The Phoenix Love Theme (Senza Fine), was used in the movie The Flight of the Phoenix, and hit #32 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1966. The second, The Dis-Advantages of You, was used in a commercial for Benson & Hedges, and hit #36 in 1967. Numerous other singles hit Billboard's Easy Listening chart, and a non-chart single, "Love In The Open Air", is prized by collectors, as it is a cover of a little-known composition by Paul McCartney.

The group recorded until at least 1972 on Enoch Light's Project 3 label.

Selections:

01) Love Theme From Flight of the Phoenix

02) The Shadow of Your Smile

03) Theme from a Summer Place

04) Love is a Many Splendored Thing

05) My Foolish Heart

06) Moment to Moment

07)  Moon River

08) Lara's Theme

09) Unchained Melody

10) Secret Love

11) Tara's Theme

12) Laura

The Brass Ring - Gazpacho (1968)

For their sixth project, the Brass Ring turned out a long player that -- according to the quoted definition on the album jacket -- contained "a spicy blend of new and seasoned Latin melodies." On Gazpacho (1968) bandleader Phil Bodner conducts the Big Apple-based combo through instrumental interpretations of both piquant pop standards and a few of his own Spanish-flavored originals. The sonic fiesta commences with a nod to Mexican composer Agustín Lara's classic "Granada." After a regal brass introduction, the tune -- which might be best remembered by Frank Sinatra's version -- is given a bright, upbeat, and above all swinging arrangement. The Brass Ring's exploration of the Cuban-tinged "Yours" (aka "Quiereme Mucho") is brought to life with robust Hammond organ solos and acoustic guitars against the percussive-filled mid-tempo backdrop. The pensive yet optimistic "Adoro" (aka "Don't Tempt Me") is the first of two cuts on Gazpacho to be penned by Mexican songwriter Armando Manzanero. The other, "This Afternoon I Saw It Rain" serves up a soft and moody sentiment, perfect for the easy listening audience whose "music as wallpaper" sensibilities are certainly well-served. All certainly is far from lost as there are several standout selections for lovers of so-called space age bachelor pad music and those who crave similar kitsch. "Little Sea Shells" is a frisky number by Brass Ring stalwart Stanley Webb. The arrangement offers a beguiling refrain that is executed with all the light-hearted frolic of a mid-'60s beach bash and is easily inspired by the sounds of Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass. Bodner's own "Amanha (Tomorrow)" takes on a slightly darker tone, but never strays too far from the acquiescence of its low-key, elevator music origins. The subdued groove ambling through Mexican pop master Alvaro Carillo's "Yellow Days" conjures memories of what famous North American hotel chains might have piped into their elevators and lobbies. Not to be missed for aficionados is "The Girl from Ipanema" -- the "Freebird" or "Whipping Post," if you will, of the genre. Here it practically and unknowingly presents the perfect parody of itself with all the easy listening smarm the song has become infamous for. 

Selections:

01) Granada

02) Yours

03) Adoro

04) Amanha

05) Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White

06) Gazpacho

07) Girl From Ipanema

08) Like A Breath of Spring

09) Little Sea Shells

10) Sugar Loaf

11) This Afternoon I Saw It Rain

12) Yellow Days