Mel Henke Group - Shock Treatment (Tempo 7003)

Here's a rare Mel Henke jazz-exotica record that Brian Linds is putting up for auction.   Thank you Brian for making available to the Exotica-verse.  We're all different here. Many appreciate having the vinyl, some just the mp3's.   

Looks like this was recorded in Mel's living room in Topango Canyon 30 miles form Hollywood?

Subtitled "Mel Hanke and Progressive Piano and Bongo Studies" .... "Bongos have but recently become popular"

There is biographical information here previously not known? Henke was a featured vocalist on the N.B.C Symphony. PARADIES TOCATA is obviously inspired by Bach. Stravinsky is mentioned, and his contemporary Aram Khachaturian's Toccata is here. (Everybody knows Khachaturian's Sabre Dance. And his piano concerto is stunning)

Henke is playing Aram Khachaturian "straight". But of course putting that Henke playfulnes to it.  Check out the inprov and variations "In a Little Spanish Town".  A lot of ideas flowing around in there..

Download in the comments.

Brian used to DJ as Uncle Bri's Early Morning Funhouse in Victoria B.C. at CFUV 101.9.  And he used to play this LP on his program a lot.  


01.  Mel Henke Group - Cocky Cuckoo Clock
02.  Mel Henke Group - Pennies From Heaven
03.  Mel Henke Group - Paradies Toccata
04.  Mel Henke Group - In A Mist
05.  Mel Henke Group - Little Rock Getaway
06.  Mel Henke Group - Frenzied Flight
07.  Mel Henke Group - Shock Treatment
08.  Mel Henke Group - I Surrender Dear
09.  Mel Henke Group - Dance of the Cavemen
10.  Mel Henke Group - Kakachurian Toccata
11.  Mel Henke Group - I Can't Believe You're In Love
12.  Mel Henke Group - In A Little Spanish Town