Search - Don Ralke :: Savage & The Sensuous

Don who? Donald E. Ralke worked in the music system in Los Angeles in the 1950's with small labels as a procurer of musicians and arranger initially for small indie labels. He later became a house arranger for Warner Bros. where he produced recordings with the stars of "77 Sunset Strip" and this album features the very 'Best Of The Best" rhythm and percussion-meisters of the day. The recording's original release in 1960 itself had, at the time, a serious intent as well, as these were early days for stereophonic recordings and Warners' aim was to demonstrate their recording capabilities to a winder public. The sound on these recordings (now, for the first time in a brilliant digital transfer) is absolutely astonishing and is still a test for the most demanding audiophile and his sound system! The meaning of the musical genre - that of 'Exotica' has today lost much of its impact, but it has its roots in the fascination Americans had for all things at the end of the fifties African and, at the same time, Caribbean and South American. Mixing it all up into an acceptable fusion style, Ralke proved he was a worthy challenger in conveying the musical illusion of steamy forests and strange ritual as you will hear! Notes by Darrell Brogden of Kansas University's nationally syndicated radio programme 'The Retro Cocktail Hour' accompany the CD in a deluxe presentation. The track "Headhunter" is a great club favourite.Harkit.2006