Not too long ago I picked up 20 Heavy Hits, a bubblegum-leaning collection of radio hits from 1968 that appears to be the predecessor to Crystal Corporation’s, 20 Solid Gold Hits. Even though it was only a buck, I almost didn’t get it since I already had most of the tunes on other albums. But in the end, it was the cover – specifically, the sumptuous Victorian-era elevator – that convinced me:
Photography by Warren Flagler
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In the end, I’m glad I picked up this collection, if for no other reason than to hear Ricardo Ray‘s hip Latin take on Shirley Ellis‘ 1963 top 10 hit, “Nitty Gritty“:
“Nitty Gritty“
Ricardo Ray (1968)
Arranged by Hutch Davis
This song is the lead-off track from The Ricardo Ray Orchestra’s 1968 album of the same name (which includes the bandleader’s take on “California Sun“), released on Alegre, an imprint of Roulette, though Alegre was later sold to Fania Records.
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