Monterey Brass - The Lonely Bull / South of the Border

Ah, the glorious era of the vinyl knock-off! When Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass took over the world with their 'Ameriachi' sound in the 1960s, budget labels scrambled to cash in. Enter Diplomat Records and the 'Monterey Brass.' This album is a delightful slice of 1960s easy-listening kitsch, packed with swinging, brassy, south-of-the-border flavors designed to mimic the A&M hits of the day. It’s not a masterpiece of original composition, but it is an incredibly fun time capsule of mid-century bachelor pad culture. Spin this when you're mixing a pitcher of margaritas; it’s pure, unabashed retro fun.