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For Mods Only (Playlist)

I recently started watching the Pink Panther movie series ever since I purchased the whole set on DVD. I figured I was really into that whole swinging sixties sound popularized by Henry Mancini as he was responsible for composing the Pink Panther films as well as many others. I thought the best way to see more of it was to watch some of Blake Edwards best films including the original Pink Panther and The Party which is one of my favorites. After watching the films I figured I'd make a playlist to listen to once in a while when I want to hear that sound of a fun bygone era.

I start out the playlist with It Had Better Be Tonight the vocal version from the Pink Panther Soundtrack. I just love this track so much and I love the way it was perfectly used in the original Pink Panther film. You'll notice that I wrap up this playlist with the instrumental version of the same song. They are both great tracks each having it's own uniqueness. We then head off to For Mods Only by Chico Hamilton. I thought the title of this track was so good I'd name this playlist after it. It's a fun, quirky and very jazzy tune that works great in this mix. Right after that we are off to some strip club music called Lament by Sonny Lester and His Orchestra. This is a very recognizable tune that has been used in countless films while a female character would be stripping at a club.

You'll notice that I have several popular tunes in this playlist as well. They are: A Man And A Woman by Ferrante And Teicher, Love is a Many-Splendored Thing by Ray Conniff and Soul Bossa Nova by Quincy Jones. The latter has been featured many times as of late in the Austin Powers films. Austin Powers is the ultimate mod character in recent Hollywood history and Quincy Jones's classic track suited Austin quite deliciously.

Next up we're off to some lounge music by the king of lounge music himself, Martin Denny. This is a slower track that utilizes the sitar. It's quite hypnotic as the title of the track claims. Up next we have soundtrack music by John Barry with the track Beat Girl. This track has elements of the James Bond Theme and it's upbeat and energetic perfect for a crime caper. In reality though Beat Girl is the name of a film by the same title about a sixteen year old beatnik art student rebelling against her father who brings home a new 24 year old step-mom who used to be a stripper.

The next track E.V.A. by Jean Jacques Perry is fun and playful. Jean Jacques Perry was part of the duo Perry & Kingsley who put out an album called The In Sounds From Way Out. A fun album full of space age sounds from way, way out. Totally ahead of it's time. It's fun but quite cheesy in today's listening standards! The track up next comes from Astrud Gilberto better known for mellow Bossa Nova songs like The Girl From Ipanema and Corcovado. I felt Light My Fire would fit much more with this list of mod tunes versus her softer classics that I previously mentioned.

Next up is Dionne Warwick and Do You Know The Way To San Jose written and produced by Burt Bacharach. Which precedes another Burt Bacharach produced track My Little Red Book by Manfred Mann. My Little Red Book is from the film What's New Pussycat. As well there is the instrumental version of Blue On Blue by Burt Bacharach himself. This track was recently remade as So Easy by Röyksopp becoming a pretty big hit for the Norwegian Downtempo kings.

The hits keep coming as this playlist comes to an end with popular artists from the mod era of music. There's Playboys Theme from Cy Coleman which is a great track from the Ultra Lounge series from Capitol Records. I figured Playboys, Swinging Sixties it all goes together right?? Also another excellent track is Bring Down The Birds by Herbie Hancock. The master jazz musician himself. Bring Down The Birds was sampled back in 1990 by Deee-Lite with their top ten hit Groove Is In The Heart. It's great to hear the original track as Herbie Hancock created.

If you are looking for a hip and swinging mix of lounge, pop and jazz music for your next cocktail party then this mix will definitely delight yours and your guests ears. Perfectly shaken and stirred!

For Mods Only

It Had Better Be Tonight (Vocal) by Henry Mancini And His Orchestra
For Mods Only by Chico Hamilton
Lament by Sonny Lester And His Orchestra
A Man And A Woman by Ferrante and Teicher
Love is a Many-Splendored Thing by Ray Conniff
Soul Bossa Nova [Original Mix] by Quincy Jones
Hypnotique by Martin Denny
Beat Girl by John Barry & His Orchestra
E.V.A. by Jean Jacques Perrey
Light My Fire by Astrud Gilberto
Do You Know The Way To San Jose by Dionne Warwick
My Little Red Book (Film Version) by Manfred Mann
My Love by Hugo Montenegro
The Beat Goes On by Buddy Rich
Blue On Blue by Burt Bacharach
Playboy's Theme by Cy Coleman
Theme from A Summer Place by Percy Faith and His Orchestra
Mini Skirt by Esquivel
Ford Mustang by Serge Gainsbourg
Bond St. by Enoch Light And The Light Brigade
The Look Of Love by Richard Hayman
Bring Down The Birds by Herbie Hancock
It Had Better Be Tonight (Instrumental) by Henry Mancini And His Orchestra

Seb Jarakian is the owner of Musync http://www.musync.com a music research and licensing company based in San Francisco California. Seb's client list includes: Microsoft XBOX, Esurance, Clorox, VISA and Adidas. Seb also owns and updates Best Playlists http://www.BestPlaylists.com and Beatzblog http://www.Beatzblog.com - Two blogs about electronic music and Apple's iTunes/iPod technologies. Seb periodically updates the two blogs with new playlists, album reviews, articles about new and classic electronica music, and new technologies.