I think this record is rather common in England (judging by the fact that the day I bought it, I saw two other copies in other charity shops in the town where I grew up). However, it's really rather good - a fun and groovy mix of instrumental late 60s pop, very much in the mould of the influential 'In-flight entertainment' compilation which came out on Decca in the UK in 1995. It seems to be a compilation of previously released recordings from 1968, 1969 and 1971.

Original Liner Notes:

Helmut Zacharias is first and foremost a violinist. He is also one of Europe's top orchestral leaders and arrangers. Born in Berlin in 1920, he started to show an aptitude for music at an extremely early age. His parents, noting this interest, promptly enrolled him for violin lessons and he progressed well enough to be able to give his first public performance at the age of six. Ten years later he was to become the youngest student at the State High School of Music in Berlin. Helmut spent three years at this school and then joined a renowned Berlin chamber orchestra as soloist. It was while he was with this orchestra that he started to show an interest in Jazz and, indeed, his music today is sound proof that he has successfully made the transition between the classical idiom and its more contemporary counterpart. His first record was made in 1941, and since then he has had a string of international successes. To date, worldwide sales of his recordings total in excess of twelve million.

The reason for the immense popularity of Helmut Zacharias will be come obvious as you listen to him and his orchestra performing their unique interpretation of some of the World's favourite tunes. From the opening bars of The Doors' all time great Light my fire, through Otis Redding's Respect and Aretha's beautiful I say a little prayer, to the power-house version of the Stones' Satisfaction, Helmut and his orchestra give their all and, with musicians of their calibre, the end result could only be magnificent.

1. Light My Fire
The title track introduces Helmut's rather distinctive solo violin sound. Beyond that, this is a pretty standard late 60s instrumental take on this much-covered song, until the end, when shimmering strings and echoing wordless vocals evoke Bob Crewe's excellent 'Barbarella' soundtrack.

2. Baby Love
This has a jaunty brass opening, after which Helmut's solo violin is again highlighted. This is definitely in the 'easy cheesy' mode, but it's not without charm.

3. Little Green Apples
Although understated, this is a great song, and this version does not disappoint, with a nice gentle strummed guitar, strings, and plenty of echoey wordless vocals. It opens with just the guitar and solo violin, but by the end there's a full orchestra and some nice drums.

4. Those were the days
I've heard some quite nice versions of this song before, but this definitely isn't one of them. To me, its only redeeming section is when the banjos stop and the bridge section comes in, with some nice piano, bass and drums.

5. Ob-la-di Ob-la-da
Another song I'm not so keen on. Fuzz guitar and Helmut's commendable way of making his violin sound like a sitar can not rescue this track for me. It is at least mercifully short.

6. Naturally Stoned
A stunning track, opening with a moody James Bond-esque sequence, and exploding into action with big drums and brass. The overall effect is both spooky and hip. A really great track.

7. Respect
This reminds me of some of my favorite Ronnie Aldrich cuts, in that in spite of being unashamedly cheesy, it's utterly irresistable. This is pure unadulterated fun, with blaring brass, whispered backing vocals, and incredibly crisp drums.

8. The house that Jack built
Another great track in a similar mould - heavy bass, piano and some groovy drums provide the backing while Helmut does his thing.

9. Step Inside Love
A gentle but charming track, with all kinds of styles mixed in - the chord sequence is reminiscent of bossa nova, while the string arrangements would make the track sound almost classical if it weren't for the nicely strummed acoustic guitar and tight drumming.

10. I say a little prayer
A pleasant enough instrumental take on the Bacharach and David hit with heavy brass and wordless vocals. There is some unusual phrasing (i.e. after Helmut plays the melody for 'before I put on my makeup, the backing vocals, drums and brass play an echo of 'Make up').

11. Brown eyed woman
Another quieter track, this is actually quite charming, with a big vocal chorus and a great string sound - classic late 60s mood music.

12. Satisfaction
A similar approach to that taken on 'Respect', with fuzz guitar and huge brass. Somehow this one doesn't feel quite as successful to me, probably because I like the original song less. Still, Helmut has an amusing attempt at a guitar-like solo on his violin, and the backing vocals are great.