Manne's Daktari Adventure !!
Joan B. Montney | Glendale Az USA | 11/03/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Daktari is an original music score that is performed and conducted by Shelly Manne. He accomplishes this with the help of assorted musicians including,four woodwinds players and five percussionist. Keep percussion in mind when considering this album. Because there is "Lots of It".Daktari sounds like an experiment in ethnic African percussion music with the sounds of traditional jazz style melodies and solos mixed in.
Some of the more notable songs are,"Out on a Limb"- a somewhat softer Bossa Nova feel going on.Lots of percussion! Nice flute and vibraphone harmonys."Clarence"-makes me think of an out of control chimpanzee.A busy mischevious sounding tune.Interesting chord structures on the part of the woodwinds."Africa"-is a dark deep slow paced theme.A feel of the Outback!"Elephantime"-Up tempo jungle theme in 6/8 time.Shelly cuts loose a little.Also some strong bass guitar."Wameru"-A mix in oriental and african melodies.Keyboards are predominant throughout.Picture a Kung Fu Master practicing in total solitude."Toto"-more of the vibraphone/xylophone and flute harmonys being played together.A quick paced song."Galloping Giraffes"-Excellent Bass Drum foot work by Shelly.Saxes double up with the bass guitar on the melody which gives the song a driving stacatto effect.Great flutes and Great Sax."Judy Judy"-A happy carefree feel to this tune.Great Drums,including nice hi-hat and bass drum syncopation. Flutes carry the melody.Acoustic flamenco style guitar adds to a solid rythym pattern."Rhino Trot"-up tempo 6/8 time again.Flute and xylophone harmonys.Zulu warrior vocals throughout.
Other pionts of interest: This album was recorded from the original mono tapes. Which means that it is not recorded in stereo.But,it is an Atlantic Masters recording and they do it right!!
Daktari is a hard album to rate. From an African percussion woodwind perspective its a five. But, from a traditional jazz style Shelly Manne album it rates about a three. If my descriptive efforts have caught your attention, then you may want to give this one a try."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1