Java's Bachelor Pad Record Review: Cafe Java Bongo

[Jason Croft]

The latest record review from the "Hi-Fi" page of Java's Bachelor Pad
 

"Cafe Java Bongo"
Various Artists, 1997

When the retro-swing/lounge revival hit a few years ago, everyone and their brother were out re-releasing whatever 1950 cocktail music they could get their hands on. Some record labels, like Capital and Rhino, went to the vaults and got out the best of what was. The rest had to glean what slim pickings were left. Most of these off-label releases were rather sad and destine for the cut-out/close-out bin. Case in point, "Cafe Java Bongo" as part of the Cafe Music series. That being said, I have to admit I have a soft spot for bongos and congas. When you think of hipsters and beatniks, you naturally think of smoky cafes, beat poetry, and bongos. It's one of those instruments that requires little talent to play, and no hiding it when it  shows up in a song. The songs on "Cafe Java Bongo" seems to feature the bongo despite their better judgment. These would be fine (albeit over-orchestrated) selections without said bongos, but with these hipster instruments the songs rise to a whole new level of kitsch. The record label also follows this line of kitsch for their CD cover description: "Java rich with percussive frenzy. Congo and bongo mayhem and madness. Brassy, loud, punchy and jazzy orchestra and dance bands with the exotic flavor of pure Latin rhythms. Music to dance to, jump up and down to, or just relax. No electronic drums or computers here. Just hands, skins and sweat. Now how did they DO that?" "Cafe Java Bongo" has become one of those crazy discs I bring out mostly for parties and other soirées, much to the chagrin of my fellow cool cats and kittens. This record seems to be the type that people bought back in the 1950's to test out their new stereophonic hi-fi's. Here are some real audio samples: The sultry "Heat Wave," Grieg's classical (and cartoon) music masterpiece from "Peer Gynt" "In The Hall Of The Mountain King," and the swinging "Swanee River Boogie."