Exotica: Why Its Appeal Never Fades
- This mid-20th century style of music feels quintessentially American - the perfect backdrop for cocktail hour.
- The original exotica scene featured artists like Martin Denny,Arthur Lyman,and Juan García Esquivel.
- The British Invasion effectively ended exotica's initial run.
Tiki, or exotica, is enjoying a surprising comeback. This mid-20th century style of music feels quintessentially American – the perfect backdrop for cocktail hour.
The original exotica scene featured artists like Martin Denny,Arthur Lyman,and Juan García Esquivel. Their music blended bird calls, vibraphone, and dramatic stereo panning. Key albums include Les baxter’s 1952 ritual of the Savage and Martin Denny’s 1959 release, Quiet Village.
The British Invasion effectively ended exotica’s initial run. Though, in the ’90s, archivists revived the genre, frequently enough with a touch of irony. Sub pop signed Combustible Edison, a band named after a classic cocktail, sparking a brief but noticeable revival.
Now,another generation is discovering the sound.