OST The Pink Panther by Henry Mancini

Pure Analogue, Audiophile Mastered, High Quality 180 Gram Virgin Vinyl Pressing!
The film director Blake Edwards brought into existence what is probably the best opening sequence to his comic crime film when he commissioned a young enterprising company to produce an animated Pink Panther cartoon film. The creative team came up with the idea of giving the cold, glittering diamond the guise of a cool, pink panther, which leads a bungling detective on a merry dance to the slinky sound of the Panther theme.
Mancini would not be Mancini if he did not bathe the film location – the skiing resort Cortina d’Ampezzo –in highly varied musical colours and genres. His well-known love for dance music finds itself in the samba ("It Had Better Be Tonight"), the shuffle ("Champagne And Quail"), and the cha-cha ("Something For Sellers"). But also the ballad, sung by a muted trumpet and saxophone ("Royal Blue"), or the simple combination of keyboard and strings ("Piano And Strings") are all woven into the story. One of the most memorable and delightful sounds is that of the accordion, whose melodies evoke an atmosphere that is filled with the Bohème, Paris and the sound of the musette. This music is never gaudy, but subtle, just like a panther padding quietly along.
Probably the best supporting film for his crime comedy was created by director Blake Edwards himself by commissioning a young studio team to produce an animated Pink Panther film. Because the creative minds gave the cold shimmering diamond of the same name the shape of the cool magenta cat animal, which leads its detective adversary by the nose to the casually strolling sound of the panther theme.
Mancini wouldn't be Mancini if the coolly warm setting Cortina d'Ampezzo weren't immersed in a wide variety of musical colors and genres in the live-action film. His well-known affinity for the danceable lives in Samba ("It Had Better Be Tonight"), Shuffle ("Champagne And Quail") and Cha-Cha ("Something For Sellers"). But also the ballad, sung by stuffed trumpet and saxophone ("Royal Blue") or simply woven from key and string ("Piano And Strings"), is embedded in the plot. The accordion has the highest memory and enjoyment value, whose melodies create an atmosphere of bohemian, musette and Parisienne. This music is never gaudy, but always subtle and, like the panther, moves safely and on quiet soles. Those who have now worked up an appetite will receive an extra portion of Mancini with "Breakfast At Tiffany's" (RCA LSP 2362).

Features:

• 180 Gram Virgin Vinyl
• High Quality Pressing
• Pure Analogue Audiophile Mastering
• German Pressing
• Stereo
• Original on the RCA Victor Label

Musicians:

• Henry Mancini and His Orchestra
• Johnny Mercer, vocals

Selections:

Side A
1. The Pink Panther Theme
2. It Had Better Be Tonight (instrumental)
3. Royal Blue
4. Champagne and Quail
5. The Village Inn
6. The Tiber Twist
Side B
1. It Had Better Be Tonight
2. Cortina
3. The Lonely Princess
4. Something For Sellers
5. Piano and Strings
6. Shades of Sennett

Recorded September 1963 at RCA Victor's Music Center of the World, Hollywood, by Jim Malloy