Ken Nordine - Colors (1966)

The voice-over man from a thousand commercials, Ken Nordine registers in your subconscious instantly: Wait, I know that guy! Smooth as an ice sculpture and ringing with "the voice of our sponsor," Nordine has personified authority since the 1960s. It's disorienting at first to hear the way Nordine lets go on this record with a Beat-inspired, mellifluous-sounding, Dr. Seuss-like exploration of the meanings of different colors. Many of the pieces are parables on racism and human behavior, but they're also totally silly, and meant to be. Recorded in the late 1960s, the 34 tracks manage to be sort of psychedelically goofy but charming at the same time. "Absolute gray is the grayest gray / That's the same distance from absolute white as it is from absolute black," Nordine almost-sings to a delightful, freeform studio backing of hip jazz. All your mix tapes will be very happy that you've bought this strange record to flavor them with. --Mike McGonigal

Chromatic extravaganza from the deep, sociological voice of Nordine.

1. Olive 2. Lavender 3. Burgundy 4. Yellow 5. Green 6. Beige 7. Maroon 8. Ecru 9. Chartreuse 10. Turquoise 11. White 12. Flesh 13. Azure 14. Puce 15. Magenta 16. Orange 17. Purple 18. Muddy 19. Russet 20. Amber 21. Blue 22. Black 23. Gold 24. Crimson 25. Brown 26. Rosy 27. Hazel 28. Mauve 29. Fuschia 30. Sepia 31. Nutria 32. Cerise 33. Grey 34. Coral

Ken Nordine: Vocals, Creation
Richard Campbell: Flute, Vibes, Marimba, Harpsichord, Drums

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