Selected by Charley Rhythm

Since my choice of Strange, Sexy, Exotic and Ska covers is already shown at the Under The Hat Site, here's a selection of covers from the South and the far East. Some where found in Thailand and Malaysia, some in Canada, but most right here in the Netherlands, with compliments to the Surinam and Indonesian people over here, who made it possible for me to learn about Latin American, Hindi, Soul music and R&R at an early age.

Marquis DuCharles

-Click on the small record covers to see the bigger version!


 

Cannot read a thing on this 1970's EP, but it sounds and looks like a Chinese version of a Charlie's Angels movie... All the excited bongo sounds makes sure you get an ACTION Movie feel out of this soundtrack. I am sure beat club will have an Asian Theme party in the future, then you can hear for yourself!

 

Those Friendly Thai sure stuck to their old style music... and they still do!
It's very hard to find Thai 60's music with western influences (...the kind of songs we'd like to hear at beat club). And although this nicely American-Sixties-Twist influenced cover would make you believe otherwise, it contains 4 Thai songs with a guy and couple of girls singing 'happy' song, but no Twist. Still danceable if you know how to!


 

On the other hand: the Chinese immigrants in especially Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and most of all the Hong Kong Chinese were very influenced by western music (obviously because of the English). So, Nancy Sit (Ka Yin) sings both 'Day Tripper' and 'Wooly Bully' with her lovely Chinese accent, very enjoyable! Later she went on becomming a famous moviestar in the (chinese) asian world and recently she wrote a cooking book...

 

What a Pose, What hair, the lips, the dress, her figure, her looks....Who is she?!
I think I have to pick up Cha-Cha-Cha lessons real soon.
The 14 songs on this LP give me enough time to get to know the woman... if only someone knew what her name is....or is it the same girl as below???
Anyway....I'm gonna make myself a cocktail, put on this Fiesta Tropical Record, lay back in a hammock...and dream on...

 

Xavier Cugat: the ebulent maestro of Latin American music AND King Of The Rumba!
The profoundly titled tune 'Anything Can Happen Mambo' still sounds very happening and you'll be able to hear at beat club once in a while.
The cover is shown here especially for E.D.C., who told me that the voluptuous woman on the cover is Xavier's wife; singer, dancer, actress, bust most of all Femme Fatale: ABBE LANE.
Oddly enough I found this double EP in Thailand!

 

Talking about dreaming: how about laying down in the sun on the lap of a woman who touches your hair, big jug of wine and a big picknick bag besides you.... Mister Jackson knows how to enjoy life! This Brazillian LP contains a bunch of happy, sunny tunes; Samba's Coco's, Rojao's and Baiao's. All of which could be very helpfull as therapy against depression. But before that happens, try the park and a nice picknick first...and don't forget the wine!

 

10 inch from the fifties on the world famous (Latin American Music) SEECO Label. Puerto Rican born Daniel Santos brings you the finest Mambos, Guarachas, Boleros and Canciones Jibaras.One fateful day while bathing, his singing was overheard by a neighbor who happened to be a member of a band called Trío Lírico. Later he performed and recorded in Cuba and New York.


 

This is one of those albums which were distributed by Surinam people who in the sixties and seventies choose to live in the Netherlands. Some record stores in The Hague, Rotterdam and Amsterdam really opened a lot of Dutch peoples' eyes (read: ears) to Soul, Salsa, Merengue, Ska, Rock Steady, Doo-wop, Bollywood Movie Music and other sounds, three decades ago.
This album from Venezuela is a really festive one of the famous Angel Vilora.
The Groovy and colorful illustration says it all! .....MERENGUE!!!!


 

Mexican Lobo and Melon bring you this fine action cover shot from 1967. The GoGo movements, blonde hair, real big bikini, sunglasses and flowers around her neck really give me a sunny feeling! The music is a mix of romantic and mid-fast tempo party music to shake your hips to...