Various Artists - Great Melodies of the Fifties

British light orchestral music was at it's peak in the years between the end of World War II and the start of rock 'n roll. These 24 tracks (except for one track) are the first releases on 10" 78rpm singles that Ray made for the Columbia label. Every major record label has it's own orchestra leaders, who had a seemingly endless supply of musicians to call upon, and most of these men not only arranged, produced and recorded, but frequently composed some of the most catchy, evocative, haunting and memorable music of that time. One of the most popular was Ray Martin and here are 24 of his best recordings. Acrobat. 2005.

1) Skin Deep - Ted Heath ; His Music
2) Blue Tango - Leroy Anderson
3) Delicardo - Percy Faith ; His Orchestra
4) Skokiaan
5) Ebb Tide - Frank Chacksfield ; His Orchestra
6) Yakety Yak Polka - Liberace
7) Rose Marie - Billy May ; His Orchestra
8) Oh Mein Papa
9) Theme from Limelight - Frank Chacksfield ; His Orchestra
10) Swedish Rhapsody - Mantovani
11) Type Writer - Leroy Anderson
12) Dragnet - Ted Heath ; His Music
13) China Doll - Leroy Anderson
14) Song from Moulin Rough
15) Jamaican Rhumba - Mantovani
16) Tiger Rag - Les Paul
17) Genevieve - Larry Adler
18) Bounce the Boogie - Winifred Atwell
19) Hot Toddy - Ted Heath ; His Music
20) Pretend
21) Call of the Faraway Hills - Victor Young ; His Orchestra
22) April in Portugal
23) Vanessa - Ted Heath ; His Music
24) Marching Strings
25) Night Train - Buddy Morrow