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Title: Henry Mancini – Ultimate Mancini (2004)
Genre: Jazz, Easy Listening
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Henry Mancini is an American Icon. Now with the 80th anniversary of his birth and the issuing of a commemorative stamp by the U.S. Postal Service, singer Monica Mancini and an all-star lineup of guest artists including Stevie Wonder, Take 6, Tom Scott, Kenny Rankin, Joey DeFrancesco, Gary Burton and saxophonist Plas Johnson, who updates his classic recording of “The Pink Panther Theme” (it’s the Panther’s birthday, too: number 40) join together to celebrate Hank’s greatest Oscar and GRAMMY-nominated hits. Concord Records invites you to join in the celebration of the definitive Hollywood composer and the definitive Mancini collection (in spectacular Hybrid Multichannel SACD Surround Sound); Ultimate Mancini.

Henry Mancini was easily one of the greatest composers for film soundtracks, so putting together a collection of 17 songs nominated for various awards (Grammy, Golden Globe, or Academy Awards) was easy. But finding the proper mix of musicians was important. His daughter, Monica Mancini, is a talented singer in her own right, so she was an obvious choice. And it was only natural to invite tenor saxophonist Plas Johnson to reprise his most famous solo in “The Pink Panther Theme,” which he recorded with Mancini for the original soundtrack. For the most part, Mancini’s arrangements are utilized, but there are some twists. Stevie Wonder is featured on harmonica with the vocal group Take 6 in the pretty ballad “Moon River,” while organist Joey DeFrancesco shines in the breezy “Mr. Lucky.” But it is Monica Mancini who makes the biggest impression (along with her father’s music, of course). Her sensual rendition of “Moment to Moment,” and her lightly swinging duet with singer Kenny Rankin of “Dreamsville,” both of which are complemented by Tom Scott’s superb alto sax, make it apparent that she inherited her father’s musical genes. Among the several arrangements contributed by Patrick Williams, his gorgeous chart for Monica of “Dear Heart” features the singer backed mostly by George Doering’s sensitive acoustic guitar. As Donald Fagen of Steely Dan puts it in his brief note to the CD: “All bow before the High Priest of Hollywood Cool!” In other words, fans of Henry Mancini should snap up this rewarding CD right away.

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Title: Henry Mancini – Six Hours Past Sunset & A Warm Shade Of Ivory (1969) [Reissue 2016]
Genre: Jazz, Easy Listening
Format: MCH SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Two laidback gems from Henry Mancini – back to back on a single CD! Six Hours Past Sunset is moody and mellow – and perfect for late nite listening! The album has the tinkling piano of Mancini set over lush orchestrations – breezy, yet dark at the same time, outwardly simple, but filled with complex riffing and sophisticated washes of color and emotion. The larger group features a few horn soloists, but the real focus is on Mancini’s piano – which peppers each track with sprinkles of sound, darting in and out of the more complicated arrangements. Titles include “Traces”, “Midnight Cowboy”, “Two For The Road”, “Didn’t We”, “Six Hours Past Sunset”, and “Theme From The Fox”. Warm Shade Of Ivory is lovely late nite Mancini! The album has Mr. M’s tinkling piano set amidst dark moody arrangements that bank the piano in warm washes of strings and light lilting rhythms – all moving at a slow somber pace that’s perfect for a summer night with the lights down low, the windows open, relaxing in a big easy chair with a drink while the breeze and the sounds of the summer waft over the room. The record is subtle, but a wonderful example of Mancini’s continuing instrumental genius. Titles include “Watch What Happens”, “Day In The Life Of A Fool”, “Cycles”, “Meditation”, “When I Look In Your Eyes”, and “Moment To Moment”.

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Title: Henry Mancini – Return Of The Pink Panther & Symphonic Soul (1975) [Reissue 2018]
Genre: Soundtrack, Jazz
Format: MCH SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Two cool Henry Mancini album – one soundtrack, and one sweet set of instrumentals! Return Of The Pink Panther is a surprisingly groovy record – and one that’s very different from the original Pink Panther soundtrack. Symphonic Soul is one of Henry Mancini’s grooviest LPs from the 70s – a mixture of tight large arrangements with a smooth funky edge, similar to some of his best soundtrack work at the time. The rhythm section is great – with Harvey Mason on drums and Joe Sample on keyboards, and guitar by David T Walker and Dennis Budimir – and the album also features some cool solos on instruments like African finger piano and piccolo trumpet.

Vocalion have returned to familiar territory with their release of Henry Mancini’s twofer CD The Return of the Pink Panther / Symphonic Soul (CDSML 8535). Released in 1975, both albums were also launched in Stereo and Quadrophonic versions. So it’s nice to see Vocalion’s CD make a welcome debut on the hybrid SACD format. As far as Mancini pairings go, this selection works extremely well. The choice of Return of the Pink Panther is undoubtedly a smart move as it is arguably the best of the Panther soundtracks. Recorded at London’s CTS studios, there’s a nice range of styles spread across this memorable score. Released on the cusp of the disco era, there’s naturally a great deal of funky guitar riffs (provided by session musician Alan Parker) as well as some beautiful pieces such as ‘Dreamy’ which saw Mancini himself take to the piano. The highlight piece is arguably The Return of the Pink Panther (parts 1 & 2) which accompanied the theft of the Pink Panther diamond. It’s a great piece of composition which incorporates both the Pink Panther theme, a slow (but increasing dramatic) tension builder and a full on frenzy of brass and strings for its climax. Supporting Mancini’s soundtrack release is his studio album, Symphonic Soul. The album was recorded in L.A. and manages to merge the funky mid 70s sound with Mancini’s lush orchestrations. Mancini brought a few of his own new compositions to the album including the wonderful title track. He also took this opportunity to introduce a new souped-up version of his memorable Peter Gunn theme. There’s also some well-established period pieces to be found among the track listing including a great variation of The Average White Band’s funk anthem ‘Pick up the pieces’ and Herbie Hancock’s ‘Butterfly’. Vocalion’s mastering by Michael J. Dutton (from the original master tapes) is reflective of the label’s usual high standards whilst a detailed 8 page booklet rounds off the packaging perfectly.

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