News from the darkest corners of the musical universe:

◦ Sunday, February 15, 2004 ◦

Basta Audio Visuals has just reissued the long-out-of-print 1960 album RAYMOND SCOTT and the SECRET 7: THE UNEXPECTED. The album is a strange mixture of spirited West Coast-inspired jazz instrumentals (including many Scott originals) and voice-manipulated novelty numbers (sung by Scott's then-wife Dorothy Collins). For this project, Scott assembled an anonymous all-star band of session jazz players. For nearly 45 years the identity of the Secret 7 lineup remained a mystery, but as Nat Henthoff wrote in the LP liner notes, "Jazz aficionados will instantly recognize the players." (A secret URL in the CD booklet will disclose their names.) The CD, part of Basta's "Essential Reissues" series, replicates the original Top Rank release in repertoire, sequence, liner notes, and cover design. The Secret 7 is being released in The Netherlands now, and is available at: http://BastaMusic.com