The Brass Ring – “The Phoenix Love Theme (Senza Fine)”

In the mid-1960s, a New York-based studio ensemble called The Brass Ring emerged with a smooth, cinematic sound that blended pop, jazz, and easy listening. Led by veteran saxophonist and arranger Phil Bodner, the group carved a niche within the short-lived “Now Sound” movement—a genre that combined lush orchestrations with modern pop rhythms.

Their best-known hits, “The Phoenix Love Theme (Senza Fine)” and “The Dis-Advantages of You,” brought them fleeting chart success, but their broader catalog has become a cult favorite for collectors and fans of 1960s instrumental pop.

Band Name	The Brass Ring
Origin	New York City, USA
Years Active	1966–1972
Genre	Now Sound, Easy Listening, Instrumental Pop
Leader	Phil Bodner (saxophone, arranger)
Key Labels	Dunhill Records, Project 3
Biggest Hits	“The Phoenix Love Theme (Senza Fine)”, “The Dis-Advantages of You”
Notable Albums	Love Theme from The Flight of the Phoenix, The Dis-Advantages of You

Who Was The Brass Ring?

Formed in the mid-1960s, The Brass Ring was a studio collective rather than a traditional band. At the center was Phil Bodner (1917–2008), one of the most sought-after session musicians of the post-war era. Bodner was known for his versatility on saxophone, clarinet, and flute.

His experience included work on jazz records, commercial jingles, and easy listening albums. He was also a regular contributor to recordings on Command Records, a label known for its high-fidelity orchestral productions.

Bodner’s idea behind The Brass Ring was to create a modern instrumental sound that could appeal to the evolving tastes of mid-60s audiences—something between big band jazz and contemporary pop. The result was music that was often cinematic, melodic, and perfectly suited for both AM radio and TV commercials.

Defining the “Now Sound”

The Brass Ring was part of a short-lived genre known as the Now Sound—a mid-60s trend that fused traditional big band arrangements with modern production techniques and rock-era instruments. It was smoother than rock but more energetic than lounge or elevator music. Think of it as an upbeat cousin to Space Age Pop with amplified guitars, brass, and swing-style drums.

Other contemporaries in this genre included:

• Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass

• The Baja Marimba Band

• Ray Conniff

• Enoch Light’s Project 3 ensembles

While Herb Alpert leaned on Latin rhythms, The Brass Ring often favored dreamy melodies, commercial polish, and film-inspired themes.

Chart Hits: “The Phoenix Love Theme” and “The Dis-Advantages of You”

“The Phoenix Love Theme (Senza Fine)”

This track, arranged by Bodner and written by Alec Wilder and Gino Paoli, served as the love theme from the 1965 survival drama The Flight of the Phoenix starring James Stewart. The song stood out for its lush orchestration and memorable melody.

• Released in 1966 on Dunhill Records

• Reached #32 on the Billboard Hot 100

• Featured in Benson & Hedges cigarette ads

• Became a signature piece of The Brass Ring’s sound

The tune captured the elegance and melancholy of the film, while also standing strong as a pop instrumental.

“The Dis-Advantages of You”

Released in 1967, this track became even more recognizable thanks to its use in a long-running ad campaign for Benson & Hedges 100s cigarettes. Composed by Mitch Leigh (who also wrote the music for Man of La Mancha), the quirky and upbeat track had a jingle-like quality perfect for television.

• Reached #36 on the Billboard Hot 100

• Featured a catchy baritone sax hook and jazzy breaks

• Gained notoriety through national TV exposure

Though brief, these two hits showcased The Brass Ring’s strength in producing memorable pop instrumentals.

Notable Albums and Recordings

The Brass Ring released several albums on Dunhill Records between 1966 and 1970. Three of them charted on the Billboard 200:

1. Love Theme from The Flight of the Phoenix (1966) – Peaked at #109

2. Sunday Night at the Movies (1967) – Peaked at #157

3. The Dis-Advantages of You (1967) – Peaked at #193

Other albums included:

• Lara’s Theme

• The Now Sound of The Brass Ring

• Gazpacho: Brass Ring Featuring Phil Bodner

• Only Love

• The Best of the Brass Ring (compilation)

These records blended pop arrangements of movie themes, TV jingles, and easy-listening originals. Their orchestration and fidelity made them popular on high-end stereo systems of the time.

Collectors’ Gem: “Love in the Open Air”

One of the Brass Ring’s lesser-known but highly sought-after singles is their 1968 cover of Paul McCartney’s “Love in the Open Air.” Originally written as part of the score for the British film The Family Way (1966), McCartney’s version was largely unknown in the U.S.

The Brass Ring’s lush instrumental rendition introduced the piece to American audiences and became a prized 45 rpm record among vinyl collectors and Beatles aficionados.

The Brass Ring’s Final Years

By the early 1970s, tastes had shifted. Instrumental pop was falling out of favor, replaced by rock, funk, and soul. The Brass Ring quietly disbanded around 1972, having left behind a small but polished body of work.

Some of their final recordings appeared on Project 3 Records, a label founded by Enoch Light, with whom Bodner had worked extensively. Bodner continued his session career into the 1980s, appearing on recordings by artists like Frank Sinatra, Quincy Jones, and Paul Simon.

Legacy and Influence

While The Brass Ring never became a household name, their work remains:

• A snapshot of 1960s instrumental pop culture

• A collector’s niche for fans of vinyl, retro advertising, and lounge music

• A link to the rise of television marketing music, as their songs helped shape the sound of commercials in the pre-rock advertising age

Their music also finds continued life in film and TV soundtracks that seek to evoke the stylish charm of the 1960s.

Discography Highlights