Martin Denny, Arthur Lyman, Les Baxter, Yma Sumac, Bas Sheva, Korla Pandit — the gods and goddesses of midcentury exotica music have all gone to their eternal reward, but not before leaving us with a copious catalogue of Tiki tunage. With this genre, familiarity breeds content: we could listen to Denny’s “Afrodesia,” to take just one example, until the canoes come home. A new generation of exotica musicians apparently feels the same way; retro-minded stylists such as the conservatory trained jazzbos Waitiki, the Esquivel-obsessed Mr. Ho’s Orchestrotica, and the hyperkinetic Tikiyaki Orchestra all create neo-exotica music that not only celebrates the work of their idols, but often tops it.

The current queen of Oceanic easy listening is a former punk rocker from Holland named Truus. Her new CD, Ritualis, goes beyond the mythopoetic rhythms of her previous releases, Muzotica and Rancho Exotica. Way beyond. How to describe its soothing yet unsettling sound? Its hypnoxotic, entropical air of zombacious Melanesiancholy? Ritualis is a dream of mysterious things that go bump in the Jungian night, conjuring ancient tribal tones from our collective unconscious and freighting them with lyrics full of modern longing for primitive passion. In other words, it’s music to Mai Tai by.

  Muzotica
  by Truus
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Truus' musical career spans over the last 3 decades. Born in Eindhoven , The Netherlands, she debuted as a chanteuse just at the beginning of the Punk craze in 1976. Playing in a number of Dutch bands she released her first single in 1979 with a duet called Plus Instruments. Playing odd electronic instruments and vocals most of their performances were improvised. She teamed up Michel Waiszvich the inventor of the Crackle Synthesizer in numerous performances. At the same time she was also the lead singer in the popular Dutch New Wave Band "Nasmak" (who released an album in 1980). After hundreds of performances all through Europe Truus was looking for more challenges and in 1981 got on a plane to NYC never to call the Netherlands her home again. Armed with background tapes of percussion fabricated with anything from pots and pans to a tampax box and then amplified she reformed Plus Instruments with Lee Renaldo (now in Sonic Youth) on guitar and David Linton on Drums.

  Recital
  by Yma Sumac
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A vocalist with an extensive range who had a very successful career on the Capitol label in the 50’s and 60’s. She delivers a stellar performance and is accompanied by an orchestra for the 14 selections on the disc.

The voice of Yma Sumac is indeed a miracle of nature. However, if that were all she was, the public\'s interest would not have gone beyond mere curiosity. What has made the singer\'s abilities so striking is the fact that she has managed to use the immense vocal resources at her disposal, resolutely striving for genuine artistry. Her early repertoire included popular music and jazz pieces which she performed in her own inimitable and scintillating style. However, by 1961, when this recording was made, she had abandoned this path, devoting herself to the noble and challenging goal of making known the music of her homeland. The folklore of Peru, influenced by the Spanish musical tradition, has become widely known and appreciated, due in large part to the artistry of Miss Sumac.

In addition to Peruvian music, folk songs from neighboring countries - Bolivia, Chile, etc - became a major part of Yma Sumac\'s repertoire.



  HOOLA
  by HOOLA
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Chill out to old time island music for the modern age with the exotic sound of steel guitar, ukulele and sweet harmonies.

Also known as “Ke Kali Nei Au” written by Charles E. King in about 1925 was a duet for baritone and soprano. English lyrics and a new solo mode were created when Andy Williams recorded it in 1959. Two years later Elvis Presley also recorded this as part of the soundtrack for the movie “Blue Hawaii”. Presley’s version has Hawaiian language background singers and he sings part of the Hawaiian lyrics. This song is always popular when we perform it. Charles E. King, Al Hoffman, Dick Manning.

  At the Showa Cafe
  by Goto Izumi+accordion
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In this intimate and beautifully produced collection of songs, Japanese singer songwriter Goto Izumi is laid bare allowing the listener to focus on the unique way in which she uses her two instruments; her voice and her accordion.

  Kai Kohola Leo
  by Beaks Plinth
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Jared Blüm, (Blanketship, Vulcanus 68) brings you one of his darkest visions with, Beaks Plinth. Blüm continues his exploration of twisting vinyl to meet his aural demands but brings an unrelenting consistency that is unlike his other projects. Take the spookier elements of both Blanketship and Vulcanus 68 and strip away any light and you have the evocative dark tropical world of Beaks Plinth!

Huge barrel percussion, hollow flutes, great chimes, klings and klangs and the haunted voices of many howl throughout, leaving you slightly terrified yet at ease with your surroundings. The wet wood groans and splits into fragments of a melody; volcanoes and mud collapse in on themselves as the rumble echoes through the subterranean caverns that shift beneath your feet. It could be called “Doom Exotica,” the last puff of air from the lungs of Les Baxter as he drifts away in an opium coma.

Old exotica records recorded at 8 1/3 rpm to create a dark yet lush "Lagoon Music"



  Dance of the Virgins
  by Martini Kings
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The Martini Kings play EXOTICA, a term and style invented in the late 50's by Martin Denny. Think of yourself lying on the beach, gentle waves rolling in - ,tropical drink in hand , while a polynesian doll does the hula in the distance.

"After listening to this Neo-Exotica album I've come to realize that it is hard to capture the same feeling as classic Exotica and the Martini Kings with their album "Dance Of The Virgins" does just that! This album comes highly recommended. Do not hesitate to purchase if you are a fan of Les Baxter & Martin Denny. Enjoy!"

  In Spy-Fi
  by Metrolites
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Spy, Noir, Surf, Lounge, Rock, Spaghetti Western, Easy Listening and Rockabilly have all been terms used to describe the ferociously eclectic sounds of The Metrolites... and they've often been used in conjunction to describe a single song! Their musical chops are displayed throughout their instrumental and song repertoire performed on Saxophones (Nervous Neal Smith), Guitars (Kathleen Gallagher), MalletKat (think digital Vibraphone),TrapKat (digital drum thingy) and Theremin (Scott Morschhauser), Bass (Devin Kirby-Hansen), and Drums (Josh Duffee). If a bizarre offbeat life had a soundtrack, The Metrolites would be composing and performing.

Performance venues have been equally as eclectic, being the house band and playing the Copia Martini and Wine Bar in the Quad Cities one night and touring and playing a punk club the next. A recently overheard comment from a patron who wondered into the Copia says it all. "How is this happening? This is wonderful".

  Exotic Island
  by Bill Earl
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Singer/Songwriter Bill (The Beachcomber) Earl is originally from San Francisco. He studied voice, music and the theatrical arts in the Bay Area and in Hollywood. He has an extensive background in show business in a variety of formats. On this CD he has written 12 tunes capturing the flavor of Tropical Beaches, Island Breezes, Jungle Journeys, and a taste of Paradise.

  Doorways With Eyes
  by Chris James
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The strange and wonderful experiences I have had since I picked up a flute have changed my views of the world today and of the world of our Grandfathers. When playing my flute in the woods, I have been serenaded by passing elk and have had audiences such as hummingbirds and chipmunks. Strange looking spiders have appeared at the edges of Kivas while I've played. It is wonderful to touch the souls of so many different creatures with this music. I just hope that I can continue to play for years to come.

  Tantric Vibrations
  by Blue Diamond Technologies
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Tantric Vibrational music for relaxation and intimacy. Tantric healing vibrations.

  Cocktail Angst
  by Cocktail Angst
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Original 50's/60's inspired Latin/cocktail/exotica music with funny and smart contemporary lyrics for drinking, dancing and laughs. A dinner party favorite.

Cocktail Angst experiments with Latin rhythms, Mancini-inspired 60's film music, a shared hatred of parades and hours of maniacal laughter to produce their unique sound. Toby Williams's golden-throat vocals provide an ethereal contrast to themes such as stalking, kidnapping and love gone muy loco psycho. They made this first record after riding the Cyclone at Coney Island ten times in a row. Cocktail Angst is both a libation and a CD.

  The Sunset Sessions
  by Kika Kane
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These songs were inspired by the beauty of Maui's sunsets. They were all written on the beaches of Maui, usually after I was finished surfing. I achieve the tropical sound of the guitar by using the "slack-key" tunings favored by many guitarists here in the Hawaiian Islands. I hope you enjoy it! Aloha, Kika Kane

The song A Place In The Sun translates into every fun attraction available to you during your audible visit to the islands by an energetic opening, blending guitar rhythms in a positive upbeat mood, taking well timed breaks during each refrain to allow everyone to soak in the sun. The Sunset Sessions reflects the positive feel, relaxing mood, and welcoming atmosphere, for which this island state is highly prized. Hawaii naturally offers every form of music, ranging from symphonies, orchestras, and every popular genre of music under the sun, but there is just something special about the authentic home style approach to New Age music Kika has to offer, so be sure to make your next vacation or honeymoon to the islands of Hawaii a memorable one. Aloha !

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