Born in Tampico in 1918, Juan Esquivel appreciated that big-band jazz offered a very wide canvas for self-expression. His solid but unexceptional arrangements suddenly veered off into swooping horn lines, buzzing and sighing female choruses, and ping-pong stereo effects. Not for nothing is he a favorite of cartoonists like Matt Groening and Peter Bagge: Esquivel's jams sound much like animation soundtracks. He's redeemed by a try-anything spirit and a complete lack of self-consciousness.

"Esquivel!" (Bar/None, 1994) is a key reissue of the new ultra-lounge scene, while Esquivel's original label, RCA, has put out a more lavish retrospective called "Cabaret Manana." The execs probably never thought they'd make a dime on him again.