Taking A Look At Hits Of Yester-Year 2

Released in 1961 on the Philips label, this extended play record represents a period when Ray Conniff was firmly established as a dominant force in easy-listening jazz and pop. The series was designed to capitalize on the public's enduring nostalgia for mid-century standards, applying Conniff's signature arrangements—notably his trademark vocal chorus, which mimicked instrumental lines to create a seamless, lush texture—to familiar hits of the past.

The production style was crafted to provide an accessible, polished listening experience that aligned with the high-fidelity trends of the early 1960s. While Conniff was often criticized by contemporary jazz purists for his highly commercialized and repetitive style, his work achieved massive success with the record-buying public who valued his ability to modernize popular melodies through precise, professional orchestration.