Mondo Exotica

Volume 1: Mondo Exotica (Capitol 32563)

Fascinating impressions of exotic places and faraway lands. Mondo Exotica features 18 vintage masterpieces including "Misirlou", "Atlantis", and "Caravan" performed by Exotica's most evocative and creative recording artists such as Les Baxter and Martin Denny. Listen once, then go do that voodoo that you do so well. Taboo!

fire woman

The late-50's to mid-60's was exotica's commericial apex, but it began long before. Exotica was born when soldiers returned from World War II's Pacific Theater with a taste for the South Pacific. National Geographic's subscription rate was ballooning, in rough proportion perhaps to the number of times they showed naked Samoan women posing before their huts. Tiki bars, apartment complexes, bowling alleys, liquor stores and mobile homes, all with a Polynesian flare, popped up everywhere. Restaurants with names like The Bahooka and The Luau and great chains like Don the Beachcomber's and Trader Vic's were booming successes. The mixological arts suddenly seemed alchemical as barkeeps fixed concoctions served in skull-shaped mugs. Anthropologists have long the human disdain for blue food, but blue drinks were an invitation to excess.

"Swamp Fire" - Martin Denny
"Moon Mist" - The Out-Islanders
"Caravan" - 80 Drums Around The World
"Hypnotique" - Martin Denny
"Atlantis" - Les Baxter
"Alika" - Webley Edwards
"Misirlou" - Martin Denny
"Lust" - Bas Sheva
"Hana Maui" - Chick Floyd and His Orchestra
"Voodoo Dreams/Voodoo" - Les Baxter
"Jungle Madness" - Martin Denny
"Babalu" - Yma Sumac
"Simba" - Les Baxter
"The Girlfriend Of The Whirling Dervish" - Martin Denny
"Bali Ha'i" - Tak Shindo
"Pyramid Of The Sun" - Les Baxter
"Quiet Village" - Martin Denny
"Wimoweh" - Yma Sumac