Hatari! – HENRY MANCINI****

Theme From Hatari/Baby Elephant Walk/Just For Tonight/Your Father’s Feathers/Night Side/Big Band Bwana/ The Sounds Of Hatari/The Soft Touch/Crocodile Go Home

Hatari! was another successful film score from Henry Mancini, the master of the genre. Set among the African wild life Baby Elephant Walk is the best remembered track. (US:4)

“This is firstly a fun blend of jazz and Afro-exotica, jungle drums mixed with a classic bop combo. Elsewhere, however, the soundtrack opts for some pleasant, but very Western jazz, only stopping for the African instrument sampler The Sounds Of Hatari, which features some nice treated piano. Hatari! is memorable for the incredibly goofy Baby Elephant Walk, which has gone on to be infamous musical shorthand for kookiness of any stripe. Get this tune in your head and it sticks.”

“Hatari has three musical themes running through it: the first is the title and The Sounds Of Hatari. Since this is set in Africa, these two tracks set the stage for actors to chase and capture wild animals. For the comical side, you have the classic Baby Elephant Walk, a tune that is the equivalent to the Pink Panther theme in clarity and remembrance. The song has become an international hit and recorded by numerous artists over the decades. The music is great - Mancini at his best.”

“A favourite movie score and highly recommended. Baby Elephant Walk was a pop hit for Mancini. However, the whole movie score is really excellent.” “Some excellent Henry Mancini music, with a little twist due to the African motif. Fun if you're a Mancini fan.”

“Hatari proves Mancini is also a tone colour master, getting the right instrument in just the right place. Infinite combinations exist, but Mancini is experimental in the way that he works to get the most pleasing sound for the ear.”

“My favourites are the introduction and the classic African sunrise piece. They show the range and genius of Henry Mancini.”

“The music just took me back. There is not one album of Mancini’s that I have not thoroughly enjoyed, and this one, like the rest, did not disappoint.”