The subject of this compilation is the 1950s incarnation of the orchestra of renowned British bandleader Bert Ambrose. Both albums and the EP presented hare come from the last years of his recording legacy, and feature the scintillating arrangements of leading British arranger-composer Laurie Johnson. Latin America after Dark (1956) showcases typically suave, elegant Ambrose interpretations of twelve well-known Latin American numbers including Ernest Lecuona's Siboney, Noro Morales's Walter Winchell Rhumba and René Touzet's No te importe saber and the legendary Bim bam bum, as performed by Carmen Miranda in the 1940 film Down Argentine Way. In contrast, Starlit Hour (1956) concentrates on the beautiful melodies of famous American composer Peter DeRose, with Ambrose's orchestra providing impeccable renditions of classic tunes such as Deep Purple, Starlit Hour, Moonlight Mood and The American Waltz. As an added bonus, the music from a hard-to-find four-track EP (1955) is included, and features Ambrose's orchestra performing exciting numbers such as Bluebell Polka and trombonist Gordon Langhorn's Slide Rule.

Contents:

Latin America after Dark (1956)
1. Siboney (Morse; Lecuona)
2. Walter Winchell Rhumba (Sigman; Morales)
3. Linda mujer (Duchesne)
4. Vuelve (Goicoechea; Morales)
5. Tenacion de amor (Nezrette; Adamson; Cugat; Curbelo)
6. Cae cae (Berrios; Martins)
7. Mama, yo quiero (I want my mama) (Nezrette; Stillman; Paiva)
8. Oye negra (Comacho; Morales)
9. Volvere (Grever)
10. Rica pulpa (Grenet)
11. No te importe saber (Touzet)
12. Bim bam boom (Adamson; Morales) melody from Latin American song 'Bim bam bum'

Ambrose and his Orchestra (original EP544, 1955)
13. Slide rule (Langhorn)
14. Whistlin' Willie (Spiegal; Freedman)
15. Marching through Georgia (trad. arr. L Johnson)
16. Bluebell Polka (Stanley)

Starlit Hour: The Music of Peter DeRose (1956)
17. Deep Purple (DeRose)
18. Autumn Serenade (Gallop; DeRose)
19. Let's Dream Together (Harbach; DeRose)
20. The American Waltz (DeRose)
21. White Orchids (DeRose)
22. Starlit Hour (DeRose)
23. Lilacs in the Rain (Parish; DeRose)
24. Cloud Lucky Seven (Tobias; DeRose)
25. Music Box in Blue (DeRose)
26. Moonlight Mood (Adamson; DeRose)
27. Grass Widow's Lament (Savino; DeRose)
28. Blue September (Parish; DeRose)