The Navidrome also clued me in that I somehow had yet *another* “101 Strings” album; “East of Suez“, which I liked a lot too, but that one is decidedly all orchestral. According to the wikiwiki, “101 Strings” is more of a brand rather than a band, a brand that was sold to a number of owners from the 1950’s through the 80’s. The reason that you find so many “101 Strings” albums in thrifts is because they (as a brand) produced some 150 releases and have sold FIFTY MILLION records since 1957. No wonder they’re so plentiful! 
Let’s see what the Navidrome randomly picks for us to listen to next – with 19,536 albums to choose from, there’s gonna be *something* fun to explore! :D
101 Strings. Our FM studio was over run by those back in the late 60s to mid-70s when the format was changed to solid gold R & R.
The Thrift stores here are also full of them. I always pass on them because I think, like you state, elevator music (or music on hold with much distortion).
I need to look for some unusual 101 LPs.
Yeah, this one really surprised and entertained me. East of Suez was good too – borderline exotica with a smooth sound. Perhaps it’s the *best* sort of elevator music rather than the *worst*? :D
“That time 101 Strings dropped acid and stole their teenage kid’s guitar effects pedal” is truly the greatest album description of all times!