Nina Records - Greek Latin Orient Musical Odyssey - Roger King Mozian, Bouzoukee

$

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Nina Records Presents a Musical Odyssey - Instrumental

Roger King Mozian and Yanni Tatassopoulos on the Bouzoukee

Nina Record Company, Inc., New York, NL-1269

Condition of jacket:  Good to very good, light ring wear and bottom seam split about halfway across, and top seam split a few inches. Small stamp on back, "DJ copy".

Condition of record:  Very good, still glossy with some light general scuffing. Marks around spindle holes indicate at least several playings.

Side One:
1. ORIENTAL CHA CHA (R. K. Mozian)
Arranged and Conducted by Roger King Mozian — Featuring Yanni Tatassopoulos on the Bouzoukee
2. MEDITERRANEAN MERENGUE (R. K. Mozian) Arranged and Conducted by Roger King Mozian — Featuring Yanni Tatassopoulos on the Bouzoukee
3. FLAMENKIKO (CHA CHA FLAMENCO) (R. K. Mozian) Arranged and Conducted by Roger King Mozian — Featuring Yanni Tatassopoulos on the Bouzoukee
4. HIGHASTON (CHA CHA)  (R. K. Mozian) Arranged and Conducted by Roger King Mozian — Featuring Yanni Tatassopoulos on the Bouzoukee
5. FOLK DANCE - TSAMIKOS (Authentic Greek Folk Dance) Manolis Hiotis, His Bouzoukee and His Typical Greek Ensemble
6. FLOGA - RHUMBA (Manolis Hiotis)
Manolis Hiotis, His Bouzoukee and His Typical Greek Ensemble 
 
Side Two:
1. BOUZOUKEE CHA CHA (R. K. Mozian) Arranged and Conducted by Roger King Mozian — Featuring Yanni Tatassopoulos on the Bouzoukee
2. SIROCCO (MAMBO)  (R. K. Mozian)
Arranged and Conducted by Roger King Mozian — Featuring Yanni Tatassopoulos on the Bouzoukee
3. GREEK CHA CHA (R. K. Mozian)
Arranged and Conducted by Roger King Mozian — Featuring Yanni Tatassopoulos on the Bouzoukee
4. CHIFTE TELLI (ORIENTAL BELLY DANCE)
Manolis Hiotis, His Bouzoukee and His Typical Greek Ensemble
5. PARAPONO (DANCE of the SPANISH MOORS) (Manolis Hiotis) Manolis Hiotis, His Bouzoukee and His Typical Greek Ensemble
6. CAMEL PATH (RHUMBA)  (Manolis Hiotis)
Manolis Hiotis, His Bouzoukee and His Typical Greek Ensemble

From the back of the jacket:
Someone once said that the one true universal language was music. This album stands as proof to the wisdom of those words, for here is a true musical hybrid. At least three worlds and their dissimilar cultures are combined and the result is a refreshing and intriguing study.

The traditional music of the orient and middle east has been infused with the rhythmic patterns of the Latin and these have been neatly woven into modern American arrangements. The effect of this interrelationship is, at once, different; perhaps strange to our convention-tuned ears, but never dull, never without a certain suspense for what is to come next. The instruments conventionally heard in American dance bands meld flawlessly with finger cymbals, tambourines, and the featured bouzoukee.

The Svengalied-baton of this accomplishment is Roger King Mozian, a versatile jack of many sounds and master of all things musical. Mozian has composed several popular American standards, many of which bear the indelible influence of the middle east. His "Asia Minor," written in 1949 rose high on all best-seller charts and was incorporated with "Desert Dance" another best-seller into the long-run Broadway musical revue, Bagels and Yoks. His original works have been performed by The Ballet Corps at New York's Radio City Music Hall and on network television by the outstanding interpretive dancers of today. The strong Latin feeling that is found in his compositions and arrangements have led to great popularity for Mozian and he has toured with his dance orchestra throughout Puerto Rico, Cuba and South America.

For this album he has created seven original tunes and woven a musical structure solidly built on the familiar, yet adventurously exploring new and different modes of expression in sound. Much of the arranging has been tailored to the specific and highly prolific talents of Yanni Tatassopoulos, who is featured in outstanding solo work in most of the selections. Born in Athens, he now lives in New York City where he may be heard at one of the many Bouzoukee Bistros dotting Manhattan's nite-club arena.

Tatassopoulos has few peers in the mastery of the bouzoukee, the long-handled, resonant, banjo-like descendant of the lute. Today, it remains the favored instrument of the Bohemian "Tavernas" and waterfront cafes in Greece. Its sound may best be described as quietly exciting.

This album of hybrid sound has effortlessly combined traditional Old World dances such as the Tsamikos (Authentic Greek Folk Dance), the Chifte Telli (Belly Dance), and Flamencan folk dance with the rhythms of today's cha cha, merengue, rhumba and mambo. The effect is most pleasing to the casual listener and represents an interesting study for the serious critic.

Other selections were recorded in Athens, Greece by Manolis Hiotis a popular band whose consistent good taste is evident in each refrain.

Truly, this is music that largely defies description and may pale and suffer from analysis... as the proof of the pudding is in the eating, so let the test of this musical morsel lie in the listening!

The finest technical equipment available has been used to bring you faithful sound reproduction. The musicians, technicians and all concerned with this album have labored to put forth a thoroughly enjoyable listening experience for you. Your appreciation and listening pleasure will be their utmost reward.

— JON MICHAELS