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Versatile Henry Mancini (aka Driftwood & Dreams)

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The first-ever album from Henry Mancini – and a wonderfully spooky set! The style here is quite different than most of Hank's better-known film work and instrumental hits – as the record is very moody and laidback – cut with a slow-moving, dreamy sort of darkness that's really compelling! The instrumentation is very unusual – a mix of organ, accordion, and guitar by Laurindo Almeida – all stepped gently along with some spare electric bass bits by Bob Bain, who really knows how to preserve a sense of space in the set. There's a bit of wordless vocals from the lovely Lulu Jean Norman – almost in modes that would show up later in Italian soundtracks – and although there's a bit of an exotica feel to the record, it's very slight, given the lack of any percussion or drums – and instead comes off with a very spooky dream-like quality. Titles include "Bali Hai", "Poinciana", "The Whispering Sea", "Ebb Tide", and "The Naked Sea". (Rainbow label pressing.)  © 1996-2013, Dusty Groove, Inc.