Although the majority of Stefano Torossi’s extensive musical catalog from 1959 to the present is in the album or long play format, he has also done a couple dozen 45s, most of them released initially in the 1960s on labels including Carosello, CBS, Costanza Records, Durium, Italfon, Parade, and RCA. Torossi also appeared on a limited edition reissue on Black Cat Records in 2013, a track that was first released on LP in 1970. The latest installment of this site’s ongoing overview of 45 singles involving Stefano Torossi looks at two A-sides and three B-sides, released between 1960 and 2013.

The Flippers “Santa notte e Cha Cha Cha” 1960

Stefano Torossi, is given co-writing credit for the A-side of The Flippers’ “Santa Notte e Cha Cha Cha (Stille nacht),” with original author Franz Gruber. Both sides of the 1960 holiday single initially released by RCA are also on The Flippers’ Rarity Collection, a 1986 compilation by JP Production currently available as a digital download.

The cover of Rarity Collection shows Franco Bracardi on piano, Stefano Torrosi on double bass, Fabrizio Zampa on drums, vibraphonist Romolo Forlai, and Max Catalano on trumpet. This picture was first used on the back sleeve of the 45 single The Flippers did for the film Odissea Nuda in 1962.

The Flippers’ “Sante notte e Cha Cha Cha” is on YouTube:

The Flippers “Bianco natale cha cha” 1960

Stefano Torossi, pictured on the far right on this sleeve, is credited as arranger on The Flippers’ version of the Irving Berlin standard “White Christmas,” “Bianco natale Cha Cha (White Christmas).” Franco Bracardi, Fabrizio Zampa, Max Catalano, and Romolo Forlai are also seen in the photo above.

This B-side from 1960 was also included on The Flippers’ At Full Tilt compilation LP released by RCA in 1981.

The Flippers’ “Bianco natale Cha Cha (White Christmas)” is on YouTube:

The Flippers “Abbracciami e baciami” 1962

The Flippers’ “Abbracciami e baciami” was composed by Michele Galdieri, Marcello Gigante, and Stefano Torossi. This A-side most likely features Massimo “Max” Catalano on trumpet, Romolo Forlai on vibraphone, Franco Bracardi on piano, Fabrizio Zampa on drums, and Stefano Torossi on double bass. The single from the film Letto di Sabbia was released by RCA Victor in Italy (PM45 0130) in 1962.

“Abbracciami e baciami” is also included on the 2002 double CD compilation Flashback: i grandi successi.

The Flippers’ “Abbracciami e baciami”  is on SoundCloud:

Note: If any legal rights holders object to the posting of this rare, out of print, and unavailable track ripped from this correspondent’s personal collection, please drop a line and it will be removed immediately.

The Flippers “You Must Believe” 1962

The Flippers’ “You Must Believe” composed by Egidio Gennaro, Marcello Gigante, and Stefano Torossi. This B-side most likely features Massimo “Max” Catalano on trumpet, Romolo Forlai on vibraphone, Franco Bracardi on piano, Fabrizio Zampa on drums, and Stefano Torossi on double bass.

The soundtrack single for director Albino Principe’s 1962 film Letto di Sabbia is one of at least three movies The Flippers worked on in this period.

The Flippers’ “You Must Believe” is here:

Note: If any legal rights holders object to the posting of this rare, out of print, and unavailable track ripped from this correspondent’s personal collection, please drop a line and it will be removed immediately.

I Marc 4 “Ray Ban” 1970/2013

I Marc 4’s “Ray Ban,” credited to Fotriafa (an alias of Stefano Torossi), was originally included on their 1970 eponymous album (GLP 1005) released on Italy’s Nelson Records. The album features Maurizio Majorana on bass, Carlo Pes on guitar, Roberto Podio on drums, and Antonello Vannucci on Hammond organ.

In 2013, Black Cat Records released “Ray Ban” as the B-side of I Marc 4’s “Sweet Beat,” one of several limited edition 45 singles featuring the quartet of jazz musicians responsible for numerous albums in the library music and soundtrack genres in the 1960s and 1970s.

I Marc 4’s “Ray Ban” is on SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/dj-el-topo-1/ray-ban-i-marc-4

A closer look at I Marc 4 (1970) (GLP 1005) featuring Maurizio Majorana, Carlo Pes, Roberto Podio, and Antonello Vannucci is HERE.

The Flippers’ debut album, The Flippers’ Way (1960) features music by Franco Bracardi, Max Catalano, Maurizio Catalano, Romolo Forlai, Jimmy Polosa, Stefano Torossi, and Fabrizio Zampa. A profile is HERE.

An audio sampler of Flippers’ music that includes five of the six tracks Stefano Torossi plays double bass is on SoundCloud–a video for the sixth, “Baci Cha Cha Cha,” is on YouTube. The opening track, “Non gridar bambina,” showcases Romolo Forlai on vocals and was written by Torossi and Prosaico (an alias of Sergio Jacquier):

More Holiday Music to Close 2015

Top Christmas Songs Collection, a new collection of seasonal music has just been released by ExtraBall Records. The digital-only album features nineteen tracks by Stefano Torossi and the following composer-performers: Glauco Borrelli, Ferruccio Corsi, Claudio Gizzi, Giuseppe Natale, Leandro Piccioni, and Amedeo Tommasi.

Four compositions on  Top Christmas Songs Collection feature former bandmate Romolo Forlai. The Flippers’ vibraphone player also appears with Torossi on Christmas Music: Jingle Bells and … Let Christmas Come!, a new digital release on Lounge Music Cocktail that also includes three tracks by Natale and Torossi, a pair with Gizzi and Torossi, and one composition by Piccioni and Torossi.

In fact, at least half a dozen compilations of Christmas-themed music featuring Stefano Torossi have been licensed in November and December including Best Christmas Songs for Kids! by Kidaroo Hop Productions, Every Kid’s Christmas on Kiddy Xmas Special Records, Best Christmas Ever! by Hoolay Forest Music, and another collection featuring two compositions by Romolo Forlai and Stefano Torossi, Buon Natale Bambini! by Razzano Music Productions.

Film Characters: Cinematic – Electronic – Easy Listening, a new album from Flippermusic’s Deneb Records released in December 2015, includes another seasonal tune, “Holiday Time,” a piece composed by Sandro Brugnolini, Stefano Torossi, and Antonello Vannucchi, the pianist and Hammond organ player of I Marc 4.

Sandro Brugnolini, Stefano Torossi, and Antonello Vannucchi’s “Holiday Time” is on YouTube:

And for those more inclined to pagan festivities, this correspondent offers a compilation of some classic fan-made videos for three Stefano Torossi tracks: “Sweet Beat,” with Sandro Brugnolini, “Sixth Dimension,” with Giovanni Tommaso,” and I Marc 4’s “Ray Ban.” Note these videos contain nudity.