Basta Rec.
Harry Revel :Dr. Samuel J. Hoffman and the Theremin -3CD-(US,1950)****
El Records V.A. : Return to Paradise -a history of Exotica (VAR,2010)****'
Rev-Ola Records Les Baxter : Ritual Of The Savage /
The Passions (US,1951/1954,re.2006)****'
I began to appreciate some of these 50s orchestras because only in the 50s they had the opportunity to work on such developed orchestra sounds. (in the past I already bought a nice oddity of 3 albums in one box of orchestrated music with theremin based upon odours of parfum, conducted by Leslie Baxter and Billy May,on Basta). But when I heard the very good exotica compilation, a compilation which exceeded any expectations towards the genre, which is also more often considered as a gimmick of the past, a pastiche escapist fantasy, I dicided to try this new Les Baxter compilation as well. Besides, I still remember how he had done a good job for Yma Sumac, so what else could go wrong. At first I was a bit disappointed, when on “Ritual of the Savage” it became more clear how Les Baxter often used certain packages of elements as elements of a colourful pallet, more than a creative invention of the moment, where he was more driven by the lush melodies and remembered harmony between some of these elements. The exotic touches of samba sound also a bit too academic with hard pitched ideas to really convince as a swinging Latin touch. At a second closer listen however it still is clear how good the balance in the musical story is kept and how well the compositional variation is controlled to much enjoyment. This still remains as having the purpose of the genre exotica. On “Passions” my first impressions was a small shock, which listeners from the 50s might have had with this. It sounds as if this is very much like a pure intuitive direction of emotions only of a world like that of Yma Sumac but without the personal visions, I wondered how Yma Sumac would have felt this or even would have been shocked by this, because after her directions this sounds slightly like a caricature as well, with emotions becoming dangerously put out of balance by passion, sexuality or inner horror. It is unclear which idea came first, because one could suspect Les Baxter of milking a cow. Remember how the duo Yma Sumav and her husband had developed also their own ideas of creative exotica. Passion is more loose and losing senses. Again, after a closer listen it still makes sense as a different, dangerous move or direction where improvisations with emotions are allowed. They follow certain inner passions in an improvised way. The singer and interpreter is Beatrice Kurzman. One track sounds more like music with romantic emotions. A track after this is a movie on its own with its moments of terror and horror. The album didn’t find its public for reasons I can imagine. But it is really fine to have it paired with this other album.
