Name: The Soul of the Drums
Brand: Les Baxter

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

LP-RGM-1331LEC

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Colour

Green

Colour details

Bright Green Vinyl

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Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: Yes

Format detail

Format Music US

Limited edition

Release date

2022-05-06

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier US

Redeye

Tax rate US

Sales:8.875

UPC / Barcode

848064013310

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Total Cap

1 / Extended format: Yes / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No / green

Artist

Les Baxter

Genre US

Easy Listening / Exotica

Label US

Real Gone Music

Les Baxter was an American composer and conductor, born on March 14, 1922 in Mexia, Texas. He is renowned for his extensive contribution to the world of music, having written over 150 film soundtracks throughout his career. His talent and creativity were not limited to the big screen; he also achieved great success with his hit song "The Poor People of Paris" in 1956, which reached number one on the charts.

Baxter's unique style and innovative approach to music have made him a highly influential figure in the industry. His compositions often incorporated elements from various genres, including exotica and lounge music. As a result, he has been recognized as one of the pioneers of these musical styles.

Some artists who share similar musical sensibilities with Les Baxter include *Tak Shindo*, *Martin Denny*, *Leroy Holmes*, *Terry Snyder*, *Arthur Lyman*, and many others. Their works showcase a fusion of different cultural influences that create captivating melodies and rhythms.

If Les Baxter’s 1951 album Ritual of the Savage invented exotica, his 1963 album The Soul of the Drums perfected it. Here was the sonic Space Age journey to far-flung musical ports that the genre promised: samba and cha-cha-cha rhythms played by African, Brazilian, Cuban and Haitian “voodoo” drums propel Baxter’s typically masterful string and vocal arrangements, colored by some of the most downright fun instruments (glockenspiel, harp, Chinese gong, marimba, and vibraphone) in all of creation. It’s a sultry and gently swaying ride to the bottom of an umbrella drink, crafted by one of the best musical bartenders ever to wave a swizzle stick, er, baton. Our first-ever reissue of this classic record comes in bright green vinyl that matches the alluring cover art…

The Soul of the Drums

Music US

Buy Les Baxter - The Soul of the Drums (Vinyl, CD) now from Rough Trade - independent purveyors of great music, since 1976.