Around 1954, Hi-Fi was invented. And with that came a musical genre just as weird and mysterious as Exotica...Space-Age Pop. The Atomic Age was underway. Suddenly outer space was the ultimate in the exotic-talk about far away lands! Of course, we needed the perfect soundtrack for this new, sophisticated lifestyle.
Music was instantly recorded to convey our fascination with outer space. With the Hi-Fi LP now a staple, the first true concept albums were recorded. We are in the dawn of new technologies here- think "The Jetsons", think NASA. Throw in Jerry Lewis from "The Nutty Professor"and you get the picture. It's music that was cold, moody, and usually employing the theremin,which gave the music a slightly queasy sci/fi-horror feel to it.
Now the term Space-Age Pop didn't actually exist back in the 50's and 60's, but it's a great description of what this music is. Les Baxter and Billy May of course appear on "Space Capades", but the album offers up many hidden gems. It's one of the campiest of all the Ultra-Lounge albums, and there's not a damn thing wrong with that. So suit up- we're preparing for blast off! Dim the lights and take a swig of your Tom Collins. We're boldly going into the future... and beyond.
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