Performing popular music in gowns and blue tuxedos may seem funny to us now, but back in 1965 it seemed even funnier. In their act Lounge Magic apparently used ventriloquism (Mr. Lounge), home organ and tuned martini glasses as well as lovely singers who were comfortable switching from English to Spanish, French and Italian. Lounge Magic probably played in hotel bars and cocktail lounges from Florida to the Carolinas from about 1961-1971 (not 2003 - the performers would have to be in some sort of time warp.) On this little record they used organ, flute, keyboards, percussion and voices to create a blend of festive and touching christmas songs, spicy latin numbers and holiday originals. A fun way to celebrate Christmas "for kids from 1 to 92."
Are the rumors true? Maybe. There is evidence that the group made a second record. It was apparently called "Lounge Magic Goes West." Thus far no copies have been found.
(Producer's note- These people ARE in a time warp. This record was made in 2003.)
"Put on your best powder blue tuxedo, suspend your disbelief and step into the time machine of Lounge Magic. Get ready to get whimsical, and then command the crew--Rogers, Ellen Lazaro, Mark John Lewis, Pamela Vesilind and Michele Easter--to push through to winter. Step under the mistletoe, and let the surreal nature of A Lounge Magic Christmas show you how a soundtrack to a multi-ethnic Wes Anderson Christmas movie would sound. Rogers' "Times Square Mambo" paints an instrumental mural of Times Square at 11:58 p.m. on Dec. 31, tense in the roots (of a taut bassline) and giddy at heart (with high-spirited ivory runs). Elena Lazaro's turn on "Ya Viente Santa Claus" is too cute not to conjure a smile. Keyboards, synthesized strings, simple rhythms and playful figures galore come embedded throughout, one keyboard moving counter to another. A Lounge Magic Christmas makes the yule so pleasantly goofy and disarmingly innocent that it just may be hard to settle for "Happy Holidays."
- The Independent (http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A25840)
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