/r/Exotica
See The World Through The Telescope of 50's Lounge Music!
Exotica - A style of 50's and 60's lounge music dedicated to the mystic and adventure of foreign cultures spurred by the fascination with Polynesian culture following WWII. Exotica was a commercial movement which sold the sounds of far away lands and world music within the safety of Western lounge and easy listening. Island culture is the most popular however "Oriental" and African motifs were also used. Space Age Pop was a later invention that just focused on the optimism of space travel and Stereo Action. All of it is hilarious and amazing.
A Musical Summary of Exotica
Proto-Exotica/Space Age Pop
Exotica and Space Age Pop Defined
Exotica is also connected with Tiki culture -- a decorating motif centered around the mystic of Polynesian cultures. Tiki culture, like its parent music, lies on the border between kitsch, escapism, naive fantasy, and genuine excitement for a style long forgotten by history.
/r/Exotica
Eyyo!
Any exotic jazz enjoyers here???
I've been on a nonstop forced psychedelic jazz listening journey. I discovered and mapped regions of music that I haven't gone to. I was lucky eough to hear a similarity in some of the compositions and this lead me to the categorization of jazz in a new way.
Even though it seems natural I struggled to find more. To make thigs clear I'm going to attach some examples. I ask you to listen to them and think if you have some songs close to them.
I appreciate every recommendation. Please stay to the theme. I'm not entirely sure what to call it. But for now I will go with Psychoactive free jazz.
Here are the examples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIc0bitmhvI&list=LL&index=13
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogiwFhEK9lM&t=25s
https://youtu.be/rUy_sDLqHH8?si=CwB5pqYZCrUYyuyo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTzLsSJ-Xno&list=LL&index=8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_wrosWPRTc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVWKzYog7nw&list=LL&index=5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lc-pIH0CBxM
In most cases I'm talking about introductionss here. The heavy use of tribal, exotic percussion alongside with an unexpected twist in terms of key changes and such... all without a determined tempo. That's why I like to call it free since we're not locked in a groove. The cymbals just show you a path to follow approximately. Flutes, Trumpets, saxophones play a big part here without leading the whole style into an excessive approach. Mellow piano playing. Rhoads or something. Give me something NATURAL, ORGANIC, TRIBAL yet SOPHISTICATED and CALMING!
Thank you for letting this selection grow!
Part of the Exotic Tiki Island podcast. It just started at 5pm EST. Listen in here: https://eti-radio.mixlr.com/events/3629001
Found these at a yard sale
I forgot it came out earlier this summer, but have spent the past few days listening to it a few times through. The recordings are great and the sound and tone is excellent. I think overall the success of the project ultimately depends on the listener's relationship to the original source material. For me Le Festin, The Incredbiles, Space Mountain, and most of the Disney/Pixar were great to hear in a reimagined way. I'm less familiar with his work in gaming or some other films, though they all sounded great.
One of my favorite tracks has got to be The Family Stone Waltz - from The Family Stone. The original is frenetic and bouncy, reflecting the at times chaotic nature of the title family. On this album Giacchino reimagines it along the lines of the Hawaiian Wedding Song, with sweeping steel guitars and a very slack pace.
Overall, I think it's a solid addition to the modern Exotica canon and I appreciate Giacchino taking time to celebrate an otherwise esoteric genre/musical tradition. There's more than a handful I'll add to my house playlist and I could see throwing it on in the background on other occasions. What do y'all think?
New here, just did a video review for The Pressing Matters for the new Martin Denny bundle! The Exotic Sounds of Martin Denny - The Jackpot Reissues https://youtu.be/ow8JUfiQ5mc
Surprised this hasn't been posted yet - looks like jackpot recs has done more reissues. this time theyve got exotic percussion, forbidden island and the enchanted sea. good stuff - discount on them until next week anyone whos intrested https://jackpotrecords.com/pages/martin-denny
Anyone heard this stuff yet? Whoa! Way good!!! And contemporary. The Mesmerizers just released this in March of this year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ytozrfiaJk
So good...
Another another great one to share. Lots of layers, lots of individual discoveries upon multiple listens.
https://poly-tones.bandcamp.com/
or if you Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0u2gVgiUaPGCGkx3Ny6X2o?si=xObbsGGrQn6TaF3-Pir7xQ
So fun to stumble on folks clearly showing love to the giants (Les and Martin) but making their own sounds and doing it so well! Dig it.
My wife was shopping at our local Half Priced Books so I decided to flip through the vinyl section. Found this sweet Martin Denny record from 1960. It's the stereo reissue of the original 1959 release. The inner sleeve is in awesome shape as is the jacket. The vinyl is VG++ with no audible pops. Super clean. Cheers!