Arthur Iriti - Iaora Tahiti (1969)

Klänge aus Tahiti von Arthur Iriti. Ebenfalls auf CD erschienen und sehr folkloristisch...

Roland Shaw - Mexico! (1963)

Roland Shaw war während der "Phase 4"-Serie im Hause Decca (oder "London", wie die Firma in England hieß) der Chefarrangeur. Er arbeitete hauptsächlich mit Ted Heath und Frank Chacksfield zusammen, brachte aber auch unter seinem Namen einige Scheiben heraus. Mir sind fünf bekannt, wovon drei mit James Bond- und Geheimagentenkram waren, sogenannte "Spy Themes", und eine mit Western-Melodien. Hier kommt eine Ausnahme, nämlich fahren wir heute mit Mr. Shaw nach Mexico. Diese Platte ist nicht wirklich schwer zu finden, aber sie in einem guten Zustand zu bekommen bedarf doch einiger Sucherei. Nun, genug geredet, dann lassen Sie uns nun einem Tanz frönen, der durch einen Mann namens Richard Steven Valenzuela, besser bekannt als Ritchie Valens berühmt wurde. Ebenfalls wurde Mr. Valens durch diesen Tanz berühmt. Noch berühmter wurde er allerdings dadurch, dass er zusammen mit Buddy Holly im selben Flugzeug abstürzte. Aber hier kommt die Bamba, zu der wir nun in der Version von Roland Shaw und seinem Orchester tanzen können...

Roland Shaw - La Bamba

Leo Diamond - Skin Diver Suite and Other Selections (1956)

Hier kommt ein besonders schönes Cover, nämlich mit einer Meerjungfrau drauf. Neulich schrieb mir mal ein Besucher, dass er Platten mit Meerjungfrauen drauf sammelt. Ich habe, so meine ich mich zu erinnern, drei davon: Les Baxters "Jewels of the Sea", Nelson Riddles "Sea of Dreams" und eben Leo Diamonds "Skin Diver Suite". Gibt´s vielleicht jemanden, der mehr hat? Außer dem Soundtrack zu Walt Disneys "Arielle" natürlich. Mit echten Meerjungfrauen drauf! Dann schätzen Sie sich glücklich und sagen mir, welche Platten Sie da haben, denn die brauche ich natürlich auch... Aber jetzt begeben wir uns ins Meer und tauchen ab mit Leo Diamond und seiner selbstkomponierten "Tauchen-ohne-Taucheranzug-Suite", mal ganz frei übersetzt... Vielleicht wollen Sie aber doch lieber trocken bleiben, deshalb hier ein Stück von der B-Seite. Wir fahren über die dunklen Hügel nach Haus. Kommen Sie gut an!

Leo Diamond - Ride the Dark Hills Home

Kai Warner - Oriental Nights (1978)

This is only partly a russian-themed album. On the seventh day, we leave Russia by crossing the Orient with this jewel by Kai Warner, whose real name was Werner Last and who was a brother of Hans (James) and Robert. He released over 60 records both for Polydor and Philips. His debut "Pops For Minis", which was shared before by a fellow blogger (sorry, but I forgot where I got that), was released in 1966 and he released records until his death in 1982. Warner's "Go In"-records did the same for his career as the "Non Stop Dancing"-records for his brother Hans, a.k.a. James. Nevertheless they were not nearly as successful. Beside his own records he arranged and produced several German artists like Schlager singer Renate Kern. Kai Warner's records are still a popular attraction for easy-listening collectors in Germany, especially since nothing has ever been released on CD yet.

This album features the all-popular "Sabre Dance", some oriental standards like "Caravan" and "The Sheik of Araby", plus seven (!) of Mr. Warner´s own compositions. Among them is "Mustafa", which became an all-time carnival favorite in Germany. This album from 1978 is pretty rare and a real collector´s item.

Kai Warner passed away in 1982, and you should enjoy his oriental music.

Los Indios Tabajaras - Sweet and Savage (1957)

Hmm, I know what you want to say. We all know those Indios with their flutes playing "El Condor Pasa" in the pedestrian precincts of each and every town. And yes, it´s annoying me too. But this one is different. Yes, dear friends of great music, as you might already know, "Maria Elena" is one of the best guitar instrumentals ever written. Here you can listen to the original version by the famous Indios, it hasn´t lost it´s charm yet. This nice Bolero will complete a nice evening with your partner more than "El Condor Pasa" ever can, believe me...

Sondi Sodsai - Sondi (1956)

Because I don´t know what to post this week, one week before my vacation on the Baltic Sea, I chose to post this one. This is Siamese pop. As the elder ones of you know, Thailand once was Siam.

Why they changed it I can´t say.
People just liked it better that way...

The classic Thai pop LP is this one by Sondi Sodsai. She was voted "Miss Thailand" in 1960. She also appeared in an obscure TV-series named "Adventures in Paradise" in the early sixties, and represented the stereotype of a Tahitian beauty. And by the way, she is or was the court-entertainer of the King and Queen of Thailand, as it is stated on the record. It´s the cryptic writing on top of the frontcover, that looks like Thai, but is in fact English. Try to decrypt this... The album was produced by Martin Denny, and I especially like the "Siamese Cat Song" from the Disney-movie "Aristocats" and the last one, "Japanese Farewell Song", which we all know from the movie "M*A*S*H". Please enjoy, although this could be tough for non-trained listeners...

Paul Mark - Kokeshi Shindig (1965)

Yes, this is strange. Very strange! Paul Mark was a Hawaiian-based Japanese guy who released several LPs on the local Sounds of Hawaii label and a couple for Imperial in the US. He already had two albums out with jazzified Japanese tunes, "East to West" and "Golden Melodies from Japan", but this one is different. Who thought, that the Japanese sing like the Chipmunks? Well, we all can imagine that and there have been several rumours, but... Just hear for yourself. If you want to crack a party or anti-socialize with your friends, this is THE record to put on your stereo. Please enjoy...

Michel Magne - Tropical Fantasy (1962)

This is the one I planned to post first, but sombody else was faster... But now you can still enjoy the beautiful cover... ;o)

Leroy Holmes - Hawaii with a Bongo Beat (1961)

In this unique recording Leroy Holmes has successfully blended two, individually distinctive types of music: the tropically melodious themes of the Hawaiian Islands, and the popular new "Nashville" beat! Leroy approached this difficult combination of musical styles with the understanding that comes with knowledge gained from a long-time intimacy with popular music. He had to mold the fiery rhythm of the bongo drum into an arrangement that would pep-up the breezy music of the Islands. The result is amazing! You hear the well loved Hawaiian melodies in real modern rhythm.

You will happily recognize your favorite Island tunes, and you may even hear a few that are unfamiliar, for LeRoy has balanced his selection of well-known numbers by including a few which are heard less frequently.

Leroy's heavy string section keeps the orchestra from sounding like a dance band, while four trombones lend real brass excitement to the music. Voices without lyrics sing along with the melodic line to give the music personality - the women sing with the strings and the men with the trombones.

Les Baxter - Ports of Pleasure (1957)

This was a request again. Baxter´s orchestral fantasies evoke a time when places like Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Pacific islands were truly far off wonderlands of sensual delights. The sense that one might discover an unknown tribe or strange way of life, you can feel it all on an album like "Ports of Pleasure" from 1957. Track titles like "Tramp Steamer to Singapore" and "Monkey Dance of Bali" help to create technicolor widescreen imagery. So, when You listen to this music, you ARE there. And now just close your eyes and be there...

Les Baxter & Bas Sheva - The Passions (1954)

"The Passions" doesn't exactly fit the exotica bill, but is a perfect example of the related "incredibly strange music" genre. Here Baxter provides cinematic moods for Bas Sheva to emote in a non-verbal manner. The album opens with two tracks of "Despair", followed by "Ecstasy", "Hate" and "Lust" and eventually "Terror", "Jealousy", "Joy" and "Passion." This is often seen as Baxter’s most ambitious work. "Here is a challenge for the listener" warns the back cover on this legendary LP, and they got it right: This is an intense concept album with all original compositions by Les Baxter. A true "monster" of early mood music and something you just gotta hear to believe. Now work your way through a woman´s passions...

Frank Hunter - White Goddess (1959)

This is another request from a supporter. "White Goddess" by Frank Hunter from the year 1959 is a perfect example of Exotica crossing over to the Space Age by using new electronic instruments of that time. Chromatic bongos and log drums, the "Buzzimba" and Chinese bells sit with wordless female swoons and Ondioline in a small orchestra and do the job. 8 of the 12 titles are original compositions, and standards like "Poinciana" and "Jungle Drums" add up to a nearly perfect record. That should give you a hint of the quality of this work, which made this record one of the holy grails of Exotica music. Very hard to find, but now the search has ended.

Eddie Cano - Deep In A Drum (1958)

Pianist Eddie Cano was born in 1927 and spent most of his career connecting the dots between jazz and Latin styles. He found an appreciative audience for a series of albums under his own name released in the '50s and '60s by labels such as Atco, Reprise, and RCA, his following similar to that of vibraphonist Cal Tjader and bandleader Les Baxter. Cano also drew on dance crazes such as the cha cha and the Watusi to promote his efforts. His family was musically gifted, Cano's father a bass guitarist, his grandfather a member of the Mexico City Symphony. He began his career in the band of Miquelito Valdes. This work is from 1958 and features the song "Honey Do", which was a cross-genre answer song to Carl Perkins' popular "Honey Don't". He died suddenly shortly after heart surgery in 1988.

Les Baxter - African Jazz (1959)

This is a repost for Mateo from Hamburg, who gave me two of my lacking Lasts. Thanks again, Mateo, and please enjoy some African Jazz, another gem by the great Les Baxter from the year 1959. It´s not extremely jazzy, so it is suitable for many listeners.

Les Baxter - Que Mango (1970)

Well, well, who thought of that? Four votes ahead of Esquivel´s classic album, but the choice was yours... This is a late album by Les Baxter, from the year 1970, so it might be unfamiliar to many listeners, since I´ve read some reviews in which people are disappointed with this work. Not me, I´ll tell you! This is the perfect example of the so-called "Jet-Set-Music". When you listen to this, you are boarding a jet and you lift off to see the world. This is his second album with the fabulous "101 Strings". Highlights are "Tropicando" and the "Flight in the Andes". They show again the outstanding talents of Les Baxter as a composer, orchestrator and conductor. But hear for yourself and judge.

Les Baxter - Jewels Of The Sea (1961)

I always wanted to put up this one, because it´s one of my favorites, and not only because of the beautiful cover. Unfortunately I only have the MONO-Version! Now let´s sink into the sea with Les Baxter!

Happy diving!