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Herb Alpert Set to Release 50th Studio Album at Age 89
Renowned trumpeter Herb Alpert, a significant figure in the music industry, has enjoyed a remarkable career spanning decades. His contributions to music are well-documented, including co-writing the iconic song “Wonderful World” for Sam Cooke over 60 years ago. In the 1960s, Alpert gained fame with his group, the Tijuana Brass, releasing a wave of popular instrumental tracks. His album Whipped Cream And Other Delights topped the charts as the highest-selling LP of 1966, with Alpert dominating the year by having three of the top five albums, a feat only rivaled by the Sound Of Music soundtrack and the Beatles’ Revolver. He reached his first #1 hit in 1968 with Burt Bacharach’s “This Guy’s In Love With You,” and later, his 1979 hit “Rise” was sampled in Biggie Smalls’ “Hypnotize.” Additionally, Alpert co-founded A&M Records and remained relevant in the music scene well into the ’80s, collaborating with artists such as Janet Jackson. At 89, his journey in music continues to inspire.
In a recent announcement, Alpert revealed plans to release his 50th studio album, aptly titled 50. This release follows his previous album, Wish Upon A Star, which came out in 2023. While Alpert may not hold the record for the oldest artist to release new material—Tony Bennett accomplished this at 95, and 91-year-old Willie Nelson remains active—it is still a significant milestone for the esteemed musician. Notably, the title 50 serves a dual purpose: it marks Alpert’s 50th album and commemorates the anniversary of his marriage, highlighting the importance of both his personal and professional journeys.
In a press release, Alpert expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to continue creating music, stating: “I am fortunate to still be exploring and having fun making music. When I first started recording, I had a one-track wire recorder. Today, I make music using digital recording with unlimited recording tracks. The one thing, for me, that has always remained the same, no matter one-track, two-track, or 100 tracks, is that it is always about finding a great song or melody. A great song or melody recorded on one-track will always be a great song.”
Alongside the album announcement, Alpert has presented a lively new instrumental piece titled “Dancing Down 50th Street,” showcasing his continued creativity and engagement with music. The album, 50, features a variety of tracks that illustrate Alpert’s legendary style:
TRACKLIST:
01 “Dancing Down 50th Street”
02 “Sh-Boom”
03 “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”
04 “Baubles, Bangles And Beads”
05 “Morning Mist”
06 “Never Too Late”
07 “Where Do We Go From Here”
08 “Sleep Walk”
09 “Corcovado”
10 “Jeannine”
The album 50 is set for release on September 20.
Source
www.stereogum.com