Jungle sounds and safari jamboree parties to spice up your love life. In the 50s it was a dream for so many to go to Africa to see a real life rhino. Now no one wants to go anymore: where are the rhinoes now? And how to get back home without risking a deadly disease?
1. Stranded in the jungle : Jett Powers
This version outdoes every previous and later version with ease. Future P.J. Proby tells you his story about life in the big city and life in the eerie jungle. It's like two different songs mixed together. Almost everybody believes the Cadets with Ted Taylor has recorded this first, but it's the Jayhawks with co-author James Johnson: they were the first to put in on vinyl. Is this the flip to "Loud perfume" on Beta 1008?
2. King of the jungle: The Wildmen
One of the best jungle songs ever. Although I can't find any more info, I'm still very happy that I was able to find it on the wonderful comp "Rockin' nightmares". However, there's a cover version as "Tiger man" by Sam Apple Pie in 1969 on Decca. And who is this king of the jungle? Tarzan of course! And it's the natives who revealed this secret.
3. Safari: Ward Darby & The Raves
It's a Cramps related instrumental track. You hear a wailing sax, a great drum beat to begin with, a piano and some vocal backings by The Tribesmen. Why Cramps related you may think. It�s a Lux Interior personal fave and recorded for Petite in 1959.
4. Oasis: The Majestics
At the rhythm of a trotting camel this 1961 Chess instrumental swings from go-go-bar to harem orgy majestically. Enjoy this frolic diner song when looking at an exotic jungle girl (or boy).
5. Timbuctu: Billy Duke
And now over to desert city number one: Timbuctu. Billy Duke runs away from his love to Timbuctu and joins a caravan, just like Laurel & Hardy joined the Foreign Legion after running away from disappointment after disappointment. Billy's recording career started in 1954 and ended a decade later. This is a 1962 release on 20th Fox.
6. My sweet Watusi: Mindy Carson
This Columbia release from 1956 has become one of my fave "unknown" exotica tunes. Mindy's first release was in 1950 and she also recorded a few singles in 1952-53 with Guy Mitchell, but this is definitely her best effort. Fast, sizzling and inviting you to date a Watusi.
7. Jungle fantasy: Esi Morales
The world's most unique flutist Esy Morales and his Latin-American Orchestra turn this song into a genuine "Jungle fantasy". The piano tries to break the rhythm of the percussionists. It's like you're in a canoe on a fast but calm river and you see all the beauty of the Amazon trees and birds and you wish that it would never disappear. What a fantasy. Oh, and the label is Rainbow, really.
8. Jungle fever: The Playboys
Halve the speed of this tremendous instrumental and you hear the basic melody of the Cramps' "Can't find my mind". Apparently no one has ever noticed this as I have never seen it mentioned before. So consider this as "my" discovery. It was recorded for Rik in 1959.
9. The natives are restless: Enoch Light
This must be a late 50s release from France (on Command of course) and it's the closest to rock 'n' roll Enoch Light & His Light Brigade will ever come. Enoch and Command: almost synonyms. Native beats against velvet strings, a lost guitar fights exotic percussionists. It's exotica heaven up here.
10. Congo Mombo: Guitar Gable
Organ, bongos and a wonderful backing band conducted by Dick Hyman. Even the sax doesn't sound cheesy. It's inviting you to spend your summer holiday at the banks of the Congo in the heart of the African jungle. Back then Congo was still owned by the Belgian crown.