One of the more curious movements to emerge in popular music of the 1950s was known as “exotica”. Its main exponent was the pianist and composer Martin Denny, and this, his 1957 album, topped Billboard’s charts a couple of years later. Combining Latin and Hawaiian music with lounge jazz and adding bird calls, excessive percussion and the use of unusual ethnic instruments, he injected a more interesting element into what was loosely termed easy listening.
The sleeve of this reissue has additional notes by none other than Brian Morton, who makes a good case for it, as “profoundly innovative, exerting an influence on the whole spectrum of modern music”.
To some extent this is true. What gives it credibility is the dominant percussion, propulsive energy and changes of momentum that crop up on many of the tracks. The sudden infusion of dynamic rhythm on Busy Port and Similau are cases in point, whilst the more striking numbers are led by Denny’s strident piano.
But I have reservations. Jungle Flower drifts towards muzak and listening to the stylised China Nights, I might easily have been in a local restaurant waiting for my yuk sung to arrive. Some have the feel of background music of 1950s B movies, and the ocean sound on Waipu veers towards incidental music as we anticipate the main feature.
Love Dance starts forcefully then the doors open and wolves howl, parrots squawk and the menagerie is let loose. However, there’s a suitable air of mystery in Martinique, Julian Wechter on vibes; The Enchanted Sea could clearly have influenced Ennio Morricone; and the much covered Misirlou reminds us of the famous version by Dick Dale that was later used in Pulp Fiction. Hoagy Carmichael’s Hong Kong Blues also appears, yet another cinematic reminder; the composer’s vocal rendition appeared in the 1944 film To Have And Have Not.
However, a marvellous distraction and curiosity piece.
Discography
(1) Quiet Village; Return To Paradise; Hong Kong Blues; Busy Port; Lotus Land; Similau; (2) Stardust; The Enchanted Sea; (1) Stone God; Jungle Flower; China Nights; Ami Wa Furi; Waipu; Love Dance; (3) Martinique; (4) Misirlou (39.58)
Martin Denny (p, celeste) with:
(1) Arthur Lyman (vib, xyl, pc); John Kramer (b); Augie Colon (bgo, cga, Latin effects, bird calls, pc); Harold Chang (d). Honolulu, December 1956.
(2) Colon; Julian Wechter (vib, mar, pc); Harvey Ragsdale (b, mar); Roy Harte (pc), Hollywood, late 1959.
(3) as (2) plus Raymond Alexander and Jose Bethancourt (pc); John Frigo (b). Chicago, 1959.
(4) as (2) Frank Kim replaces Harte. Hollywood, 1961.
Number One Essentials 291004
