Don Ralke - The Savage and the Sensuous Bongos

[Teasing the Korean]

Most people remember Don Ralke, of course, as the arranger for William Shatner's masterpiece The Transformed Man.  

But long before Star Trek, Ralke did some percussion-focused albums, one for Crown and two for Warner Brothers.  Among the latter, the best is The Savage and the Sensuous Bongos.

Black Panther:

 

Edited August 7, 2021 by Teasing the Korean

[JSngry]

Is it true that Huey Newton used that as his walk-on music?

[Teasing the Korean]

Face Beside the Fire:

 

Moon Goddess:

 

The Mystery of Yambuya:

 

[Teasing the Korean]

One of the things that I love about this album is how Ralke deftly navigates the piranha-infested tributaries between big band, exotica, and "show-biz."