/r/Exotica

Photograph via snooOG

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.


More Old Music? Visit r/VintageObscura! --

/r/Exotica

3,280 Subscribers

109

$2 Goodwill find

12 Comments
2025/01/27
16:43 UTC

14

Love the music of George Bruns, whose work is best known in the scope of Disneyland and Disney Films including that awesome opening music for The Jungle Book (1967). He also recorded some Dixieland Jazz and Hawaiian Themed Albums, with Moonlight Time in Old Hawaii (1969) being one of my favorites.

1 Comment
2025/01/26
23:46 UTC

7

What are people’s experiences with MelloExotica?

I placed my order 10 business days ago, & it isn’t hasn’t shipped…website says 3-5 days for processing before it’s shipped out. I emailed them, but radio silence. What was everybody else’s experience?

2 Comments
2025/01/24
17:08 UTC

14

Paul Conrad - Exotic Paradise (1960)

0 Comments
2025/01/15
21:51 UTC

26

Michael Giacchino, the Oscar-winning composer, put out a great album of exotica versions of songs from his films. This version of the Incredibles Suite is worth a listen

5 Comments
2025/01/15
12:57 UTC

41

Lots of exotica on a show?

No spoilers for people watching or going to but got excited because the are playing many exotica songs and artist including kava kon tiki for an atomic age. So there has to be a fan working on the show. If you’re here HELLO! Btw the show is severance episode 8 on Apple+ also a good show btw.

17 Comments
2025/01/14
03:31 UTC

20

"The psychedelic Sinatra"

7 Comments
2025/01/04
14:25 UTC

15

Ladies and Gentleman, the fantastic Molly Lewis!

2 Comments
2025/01/04
02:27 UTC

13

Jazzy exotica album by Sex Mob’s song Martin Denny

It could be abrasive to non-jazz ears.

1 Comment
2024/12/29
18:09 UTC

26

Exotica Christmas Playlist

2 Comments
2024/12/25
07:45 UTC

76

Part 2!

Visited the one vinyl shop I neglected to stop at on my first trip around town (which was a few days back), and hit an Arthur Lyman jackpot! (Technicolor Paradise was a welcomed find as well!)

10 Comments
2024/12/19
21:07 UTC

42

New Finds Today!

Not as big of a haul as my last hunt, however I’m very happy with what I found. Martin Denny Afro-Desia, and Korla Pandit at the pipe organ (on blue vinyl!)

5 Comments
2024/12/15
20:34 UTC

8

The Landlocked Recordings Early 2024 by Sailor Solomon

My leap into my own exotic music making foray is now up and accessible for the listening. Enjoy lots of bongos, seagulls, percussion and vibes; all from the tiny 12’x12’ cabin space. Add some rum to your listening experience for the full adventure. 

I hope you enjoy.

https://sailorsolomon.bandcamp.com/album/the-landlocked-recordings-early-2024

https://preview.redd.it/2d8trowukt6e1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=df65c910a708efaa724fdf2707da0a9f99158d2a

2 Comments
2024/12/14
13:55 UTC

7

Great tones with this instrument!

Hey Guys! There's this weird almost delayed synth or rhodes or something that I've heard in some songs but I just can't figure out what it is. I linked 2 examples. In both cases it's at the beginning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnWmpc7-wOU&list=RDGMEMTmC-2iNKH_l8gQ1LHo9FeQ&index=3&ab_channel=Musicforemptyrooms

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEDtqLRfFo4&list=RDGMEMTmC-2iNKH_l8gQ1LHo9FeQ&index=9&ab_channel=PharoahSanders-Topic

Yo I would appreciate any song recommendations that contain this sound or naming the instrument would be even better.( honestly it might be a rhodes in one of the tracks and a echoed flute in the other......)

2 Comments
2024/12/11
15:36 UTC

13

Spotify Playlist of Soundtrack, Slide Guitar, Jazz, Ambient, and Exotica-esque Songs

1 Comment
2024/12/08
16:04 UTC

39

Some new additions. Russ garcia “fantastica” and the vinyl from the musical shag with a twist. Great show, great spins.

10 Comments
2024/12/06
05:46 UTC

2

Liv Hanna - star signs

1 Comment
2024/11/30
02:06 UTC

6

YO! Overly specific sub-subgenre!

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!

0 Comments
2024/11/25
18:53 UTC

78

Found two very clean Yma records at an estate sale.

4 Comments
2024/11/25
16:47 UTC

53

Arthur Lyman - Taboo (LP)

1 Comment
2024/11/19
23:57 UTC

23

Martin Denny The Enchanted Isle (1961)

1 Comment
2024/11/16
17:05 UTC

6

808 State - Pacific State [1989] UK underground dance classic, heavily influenced by Exotica.

0 Comments
2024/11/09
18:09 UTC

16

Cool record found at goodwill unfortunately severely damaged by water

3 Comments
2024/10/26
15:37 UTC

10

48 Hour Hawaiian War Chant marathon

Part of the Exotic Tiki Island podcast. It just started at 5pm EST. Listen in here: https://eti-radio.mixlr.com/events/3629001

2 Comments
2024/10/25
21:42 UTC

45

Yard Sale Find Today

Found these at a yard sale

11 Comments
2024/10/16
19:55 UTC

6

Elisabeth Waldo - Balsa Boat

13 Comments
2024/10/12
18:39 UTC

24

Alfred Apaka - Sing Me a Song of the Islands

5 Comments
2024/10/11
18:32 UTC

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