Much cooler and far more marketable than the folks at Mercury seem to realize, the 1950's output of trumpeter/band leader Ralph Marterie is a natural addition to any space age hipster's collection of Esquivel, Les Baxter, Martin Denny, Combustible Edison, Everlounge and Eden Ahbez records.
One of the last of the Big Band leaders, Marterie wasn't afraid to add a new twist, unusual arrangement, uncommon instrument, odd horn chart, Latin rhythm or crazy cha-cha beat to a Big Band standard or jazzed-up Puccini tune - while his original compositions display a rebellious soul and restless spirit not content with the lush banality and cloying sweetness of his musical time.
