Conan TBS promo uses a Latin lounge track of mine called “Calor Del Amor” which is inspired by the work of the great Juan Garcia Esquivel (1936-2002). In the 50’s-60’s, this talented Mexican composer, pianist, and arranger pioneered a blend of instrumental jazz/latin/big band/pop currently know as “Lounge Music”, or more colorfully “Space Age Bachelor Pad Music”. Esquivel’s use of unusual instruments (slide guitars, chinese bells, Mariachi trumpets,etc.) and wordless vocals (“zu-zu”, “pow!” etc.) was wholly original. His arrangements of American, Mexican, Cuban, and Brazilian pop standards take the listener on a ride of acrobatic piano playing (by the maestro himself), ingenious orchestrations, and extreme (at times surprising) dynamic changes. The amount of creative energy in each track is astounding.
His use of stereo recording techniques is also legendary. On the album Latin-Esque (1962) he set up two bands in separate studios for maximum stereo separation and simultaneously conducted them using closed circuit TV! Apart from his work in the studio and with his touring band he wrote much music for T.V. (“McHales Navy”, “Kojak”). His recordings have also been in movies such as “The Big Lebowski” and “Beavis and Butthead Do America”. Check out his work, you’ll find it’s impossible to listen to it without smiling.
