The Music of Raymond Scott / Reckless Nights and Turkish Twilights

Prewar gems from a long-neglected master. Scott's career as composer, bandleader, and electronic-music pioneer is just beginning to be rediscovered. Here he mixes swing jazz with classical forms, exotica (long before there even was such a thing), and his own hyperactive melodies to create a timeless sound. Many of the bouncy tunes are recognizable from their constant use in cartoon soundtracks over the years: the classic "Powerhouse," a jittery mix of an edgy scherzo and a relentless march (as well as a favorite of Looney Toons composer Carl Stalling); the jaunty "The Toy Trumpet"; and the dizzying "Dinner Music for a Pack of Hungry Cannibals." Scott's original recordings with his Quintette (which, strangely enough, consisted of six musicians) are a delight, and the invention and energy never let up. --Heidi MacDonald