Return To Paradise: A History Of Exotica

This has been released recently on the El label (part of Cherry Red). It's got some of the usual suspects, but also some of the less available artists. I'm wondering if anyone's had a chance to figure what's available elsewhere, if they used master tapes or clean LPs, etc. I imagine Digi Tiki is on the case, but has anyone already given it a listen?

http://www.cherryred.co.uk/el/artists/variousexotica.php

Spy Bop Royale!

[ Edited by: spy-tiki 2010-09-21 18:15 ]

I strongly suspect we're talking vinyl sources here, on the basis of El's other vintage exotica releases.

But I'll certainly be grabbing a copy.

I'm 99.99% positive that most, if not all the tracks are from vinyl sources. El records has a spotty history when it comes to reissuing Exotica. Some are good, some are simple vinyl rips. What makes me strongly suspect vinyl as the source are the artists listed: Paul Conrad, Gene Rains, etc. None of these guys are in digital form ANYWHERE. El recently issued a budget 2-CD set that contained 4 Les Baxter LPs on them...and I do mean "LP". They were vinyl rips.

Do you mean the "Four Classic Albums" set from Real Gone Jazz?

http://www.musicmelon.co.uk/gallery.asp?collectionid=6

"Digitally Remastered and Enhanced for Superior Quality" it says, but, as you say, these are just cheapo vinyl rips. Or rip-offs, if you prefer. Their Ken Nordine reissues are particularly bad and suffer from so much distortion as to be almost unlistenable.

However, as far as I know, Real Gone Jazz/Musicmelon has no connection with El, which is part of Cherry Red, a very well-respected UK indie label.

http://www.cherryred.co.uk/el/artists/lesbaxter.php

I haven't heard their latest Les Baxter reissue, so I can't pass judgement on it. As I've got those LPs on vinyl, I'm holding out for a properly remastered reissue that is sourced from the master tapes.

But, yeah, avoid the Real Gone Jazz reissues at all costs!