Jungle Jazz - Les Baxter

 

Papagayo

Les Baxter's 

Jungle Jazz

Produced by Voyle Gilmore

Capitol Records T1184

1959

From the back cover: For this album, Les has captured the teeming, steaming excitement of South America's jungles in twelve of his original compositions. His vivid orchestrations present the wild, exotic sound of the primitive forest in striking contrasts to breathtaking jazz interpretations that feature the great Plas Johnson alternating on tenor sax and alto flute. In some selections, a full string section is heard, characterizing the freshness of a dark, damp Rain Forest, the swift rush of Amazon Falls, or the brilliant, melodic glamour of One Thousand Cockatoos. In other the work of two trumpets, two trombones, and two French horns creates intricate patterns of melody and riff, primitive and modern. And throughout these varied moods and tempos is heard the constant fire of Latin rhythm, and the frequent full-throated tones of Johnson's tenor sax, blowing a calypso-like chant in Isle Of Cuba or swinging out with the haunting melody of Voodoo Dreams. Even in softer moments there is fire lurking in the undertones. For these are not the rhythms and melodies of a quiet place. The jungle is exciting and Les Baxter's music matches perfectly. 

Les Baxter is widely and enthusiastically acclaimed as not only the master, but also the originator of those lustrous sounds that have revolutionized modern popular music. Many of his past albums have been based on exciting sounds from strange settings in and out of this world. Les, in his unique way, is able to mold these sounds into magnificent music... music that appeals to emotions as old as time, yet music as spectacularly modern as the listener's imagination can perceive.

In one such album, "African Jazz," Les's music echoes the basic ceremonial and message patters of tribes throughout Africa. But, never one to let grass – or even jungle foliage – grow beneath his feet, Les here ventures forth again... this time on a musical exploration into the wilds of South and Central America. And here are the spectacular results. Here the timeless meets the modern in a breath-taking, pulsating whirl of sound. This is the music of high adventure with a beat – exotically presented by a Baxter blend of Jungle Jazz.

From Billboard - May 18, 1959: This is a real swinger from start to finish. Baxter uses two orks of various sizes with Plas Johnson featured on tenor sax. Underlying the swinging tunes are various Latin rhythms. The treatments are colorful, and the sound is excellent. Tho not intended for stereo demonstration purposes, the set can qualify with ease. The tunes, all clefted by Baxter, are intriguing. Buffs and bugs will take to this.

Brazilla 

Rain Forest

Papagayo

Amazon Falls

Coco

Carnival Merengue

Isle Of Cuba

Blue Jungle

Voodoo Dreams

One Thousand Cockatoos

Go Change

Jungla Brava