Augusto Algueró - Este Es Mi Sonido (1968)

"Este Es Mi Sonido" (1968) is one of the most striking instrumental albums by the outstanding Spanish composer, pianist, arranger, and conductor Augusto Algueró, recorded with his orchestra (Augusto Algueró Y Su Orquesta). The record was released in February 1968 on the prestigious Polydor label.

Augusto Algueró went down in history as Spain's greatest hitmaker and film composer of the 20th century, and "Este Es Mi Sonido" (translated as "This is My Sound") is a manifestation of his signature style. The album was recorded in Madrid under the direction of producer Carlos Millán, and the sound engineering was handled by British engineer John Mackswith.

The album is built on a masterful balance between Alghero's original compositions and incredibly stylish, modernized orchestral covers of the era's top global pop and jazz hits. Alghero's signature style here features sparkling, festive brass, fluttering strings, virtuoso piano passages, and a strong influence of Swinging London and American pop-jazz, all transplanted to sunny Spanish soil.

The album is ideal for understanding the phenomenon of so-called "Library Music" and retro lounge music, which decades later would be actively sampled by trip-hop and hip-hop producers.

The album features an instrumental version of the legendary song "La, La, La"—it was this tune, written by Alghero, that won Spain the Eurovision Song Contest in 1968 (performed by singer Massiel).