Esquivel was a composer/producer/bandleader who was active primarily in the late 1950’s and 1960’s. His music fit into what was called “Lounge Music” – typically jazz-derived music that often featured full orchestration. Esquivel’s productions by today’s standards are seen as over-the-top and a bit kitschy, but he was a true innovator and visionary.
He understood the role that the producer in a studio could play in making music. He used sophisticated recording techniques such as multitrack recording and individually recording instruments, even having individual instruments isolated so he could have complete control over the mix. He understood the value of stereo recording, and made full use of it to create “sound fields” that would envelope the listener.
This is track is from his “See it in Sound” album, which used music and incidental sound effects to place music in a locale. “Brazil” is an old standard that Esquivel places in different locales with different bands, and has the unseen protagonist moving between these different locales. It goes from a quiet and sophisticated lounge to a rowdy bar scene where a fight breaks out.