Post #218529 by Quince_at_Dannys on Thu, Mar 2, 2006 5:27 PM

I love Henry Mancini. One thing I really dig about his records is that he was so prolific and so popular that there are literally millions of records out there in the thrifts, waiting to be scored--and they're good! I find the Versatile Mancini every other time I hit a thrift store, and it's one of the best exotica records out there! "Hawaii" is good too. "Hatari" is another one to look out for to hear some great Mancini exotica. And there's so many more, even his drek has something interesting to offer.

Another, harder to find exotica classic of his is "Mr. Lucky Goes Latin." It's not technically exotica, but Mancini uses such rich, exotic arrangements on that album that it rivals the best Les Baxter has to offer. "Lujon" (aka the Latinized "Slow Hot Wind") is a hallmark of the record and is one of my all-time favorite exotica tracks. It's very string-heavy and instrumentally offers the easiest of easy-listening sounds (which normally I shy away from). Yet Mancini pulls it off as only he--and of course Les Baxter--can. It sets a lush mood that is the perfect, relaxing backdrop to a good tiki drink. An easy place to sample "Lujon" is the Movie "The Big Lebowski." It's the music that Jackie Treehorn has playing in the background when the Dude is visiting him at his pad.