Raymond Scott

American composer Raymond Scott (1908-1994) had a long career as an innovator in the field of music. He formed the Raymond Scott Quintette in the 1930s, writing jazz novelties like ''Powerhouse'' and ''Dinner Music for a Pack of Cannibals,'' which are familiar to every earthling from their use in Warner Bros. cartoons. Though not composed specifically for cartoons, Scott's music has also been used in The Ren & Stimpy Show, The Simpsons, Animaniacs, and various films. Scott had a big band during the 1940s, and led the orchestra on TV's Your Hit Parade from 1950-1957.
Along the way, Scott invented electronic instruments and developed pioneering studio techniques. He recorded Soothing Sounds for Baby in 1963 using electronic devices such as the Ondioline, homemade rhythm and tone generators, and tape echo. This series of ''aural toys'' was designed for babies in three age groups (1-6 months, 6-12 months, and 12-18 months). The simple rhythms and melodies were intended to be ''pleasantly stimulating,'' while providing a ''quieting'' atmosphere of relaxation, warmth, and contentment. The original releases did not generate much interest in 1963, but in hindsight they are the undiscovered roots of ambient minimalism, predating works by Eno, Fripp, Steve Reich, and Philip Glass. These reissues, carefully remastered from the original tapes, were lovingly restored and include an informative insert by Raymond Scott archivist Irwin Chusid. ''Astoundingly ahead-of-their-time examples of inspired and impeccably recorded electronic music. Predating by more than a decade such innovators as Brian Eno and Kraftwerk, Scott's work exhibits impressive sophistication, both conceptually and in terms of the performances.'' Paul Verna, Billboard

• 01 Lullabye
• 02 Sleepy Time
• 03 The Music Box
• 04 Nursery Rhyme
• 05 Tic Toc
• 06 Tempo Block
• 07 The Happy Whistler
• 08 Toy Typewriter
• 09 Little Tin Soldier
• 10 Little Miss Echo
• 11 The Playful Drummer