1. Exotica

Cover of Martin Denny's 'Exotica' albumThe name of a series of three influential albums created by Martin Denny.

The first Exotica album was recorded at Webley Edwards Studio, in Waikiki in November 1956 and released in a mono format in 1957 on the Liberty label. A stereo version was released by Liberty in 1959.

Exotica became a huge hit and spawned a musical style of the same name. By 1959, Exotica reached #1 on the Billboard charts. The most popular song on the album, Quiet Village, reached #2.

Denny followed up on the success of 'Exotica' with 'Exotica Volume II' in 1958, and Exotica Volume III in 1959.

The three Exotica album covers were graced by photos of Sandy Warner, who appeared on many Martin Denny albums.

Songs on the Exotica, Exotica Volume II, and Exotica Volume III albums
Exotica

  • Quiet Village
  • Return To Paradise
  • Hong Kong Blues
  • Busy Port
  • Lotus Land
  • Similau
  • Stone God
  • Jungle Flower
  • China Nights
  • Ah Me Furi
  • Waipio
  • Love Dance
 Exotica Volume II

  • Soshu Night Serenade
  • Isle of Dreams
  • Japanese Farewell Song (Sayonara)
  • Singing Bamboos
  • The Queen Chant (Li Liu E)
  • Wedding Song (Ke Kali Ne Au)
  • Escales
  • When First I Love
  • August Bells
  • Bacoa
  • Ebb Tide
  • Rush Hour in Hong Kong
    		•  Exotica Volume III

  • Jungle River Boat
  • Harbor Lights
  • Manila
  • Mama Iti E Papa E
  • Bamboo Lullaby
  • Ringo Oiwake
  • Moon of Manakoora
  • Limehouse Blues
  • Beautiful Kahana
  • Caravan
  • Congo Train
  • Hello Young Lovers
    		•


    2. Exotica

    Name given to a style of music inspired by Martin Denny and his Exotica album.

    Exotica music is a melding of 'primitive' sounds, such as Polynesian instruments and animal calls, with jazz elements. This music was distinctly different than traditional Polynesian-forms of music, and may have been influenced by the earlier Conga movement of the 1930s and 1940s.

    Exotica emerged on the music scene in the mid 1950s with the release of Denny's Exotica album, which reached #1 in 1959. Other musicians, such as Lex Baxter and Arthur Lyman, joined in on the Exotica movement.

    Two subgenres of Exotica are said to exist; 'Jungle' and 'Tiki'. Jungle Exotica is an older strain that has its roots in old Hollywood films and was a basis for Lex Baxter. Tiki was developed by Martin Denny, melding jungle-type sounds with jazz elements.

    This form of music remained popular until the mid-1960s, when it was displaced by other forms of instrumental, easy listening, and rock-and-roll forms.

    Starting in the 1990s, Exotica began to enjoy a revival, as retro Tiki became popular once again.


    Updated June 28, 2004