"Cafe Java Bongo"
Various Artists, 1997
When
the retro-swing/lounge revival hit a few years ago, everyone and their
brother were out re-releasing whatever 1950 cocktail music they could get
their hands on. Some record labels, like Capital and Rhino, went to the
vaults and got out the best of what was. The rest had to glean what slim
pickings were left. Most of these off-label releases were rather sad and
destine for the cut-out/close-out bin. Case in point, "Cafe Java Bongo"
as part of the Cafe Music series. That being said, I have to admit I have
a soft spot for bongos and congas. When you think of hipsters and beatniks,
you naturally think of smoky cafes, beat poetry, and bongos. It's one of
those instruments that requires little talent to play, and no hiding it
when it shows up in a song. The songs on "Cafe Java Bongo" seems
to feature the bongo despite their better judgment. These would be fine
(albeit over-orchestrated) selections without said bongos, but with these
hipster instruments the songs rise to a whole new level of kitsch. The
record label also follows this line of kitsch for their CD cover description:
"Java rich with percussive frenzy. Congo and bongo mayhem and madness.
Brassy, loud, punchy and jazzy orchestra and dance bands with the exotic
flavor of pure Latin rhythms. Music to dance to, jump up and down to, or
just relax. No electronic drums or computers here. Just hands, skins and
sweat. Now how did they DO that?" "Cafe Java Bongo" has become one of those
crazy discs I bring out mostly for parties and other soirées, much
to the chagrin of my fellow cool cats and kittens. This record seems to
be the type that people bought back in the 1950's to test out their new
stereophonic hi-fi's.
