Martin Denny — Deep Exotica

Here we have a two-disc CD bringing together four key albums from American composer/ arranger/ pianist Martin Denny- that help define the easy-listening genre known as Exotica, which mixes lush orchestra/ lounge flavours with world music tropes, and the occasional tropical bird/ animal call. Featured here are 1957’s Exotica, 1958’s Exotica Vol II, Exotica III, and Quiet Village- both from 1959.  

The double disc set appears on Righteous Records- which is one of Cherry Red sub-labels. The release is part of the open-ended ‘As Dug By Lux And Ivy’ series- which was set up/ curated by respected music journalist Dave Henderson- releasing both standard compilations and album collections such as this. The CDs come presented in a slim line/see-through jewel case- inside we have an eight-page glossy/ colourful inlay booklet- featuring a two-page write-up about Denny from Henderson, track listings, and reproductions of the females in exotic location original cover art.
 
Denny was born in New York City in 1911- but grew up in LA. After leaving formal education he studied classical piano- before going on the road for four and half years touring with the Don Dean Orchestra. This tour started off his lifelong obsession with Latin rhythms- as well as his collecting ethnic instruments from around the world. After serving in the US Air- he went on to formally study piano and composition. In 1954 Denny performed in Honolulu- going on to form his own combo, and move towards the full realisation of the Exotica sound.
 
In 1957 he signed to Liberty Records- and the result of this was the first Exotica album. It’s a twelve-track affair- that very much introduced this very distinctive and well-travelled brand of easy-listening music. The album kicks off with one of the key/ important tracks of the genre “A Quite A Village” which brings together marching-yet-elegant piano notion, with detailed vibe, bell & ethnic flavoured percussion with warbling parrot and exotic bird calls. Moving through the album we have the cascading keys, twinkling percussion, bell tones and slight oriental-sounding melody of “Lotus Land”. There’s the rapid clip-clop percussion meets bounding keys of “Stone God”, or “Waipo” which opens with crashing sea effects- before drifting into lush ‘n’ lull sonic haze of bright vibes, Hawaii melody-themed key work, and soothing whistles. This album takes up the first half of Disc One, and it remains a great and influential opening release from Denny.
 
Next, we have Exotica Vol II, or as it’s listed here Exotica II. This appeared in 1958, and offered up another twelve tracks. With the tracks moving from jaunting ‘n’ darting percussion and keys of “Japanese Farewell Song” which has an oriental melody meets urgent music hall vibe. Onto the moving through the jungle vibe of “Escales” with darting ‘n’ shacking percussion, vivid flute darts, vibe runs, and occasional piano embellishments. Through to playful oriental chime & key manic-ness of “Rush Hour In Hong Kong”. It’s another entertaining album- with the disc finished off with two bonus tracks in the shape of “Llama Serenade” and “The Enchanted Sea”
 
Moving on to the second disc in the set we have first up 1959’s Exotica III. This is a twelve-track album- which really highlights Denny’s growing arrangement skills, and general wide use of the stereo channels within the exotica form. We kick off with “Jungle River Boat” which blends and balances together a bright vibe melody, elegant piano runs, hissing to bounding percussion lines, and several layers of bird calls. We have the sweet and cute “Bamboo Lullaby” which is a mellow sonic swim in music box chimes, soft tip-tapping percussion, shimmering tonal slices, and distant warbling bird calls. There’s the lulling rustling rain stick, bird coo, and vibe warmth introduction of “Canavan” which later takes off oriental melody-flavoured jazziness- before dropping into inspired ethic percussive breakdown.
 
Next, we have Quiet Village- this is also from 1959. This features thirteen tracks, and it’s another worthwhile selection of Exotica- with maybe a slightly more easy-listening Latin jazz-type edge to some of the tracks. We go from tip-tap, rustling, sawing percussive lines of “Coronation” which features vibe & marimba brightness, whistling and baying bird calls, and a really buoyant vibe. There’s the layered and cascading oriental melodies of “Firecracker” with all manner of stringed, and percussive tones. We have the serene tick-tock, tone simmer ‘n’ wave, gong clime, and warbling of “Pagan Love Song”. With the disc finished off with two bonus tracks “Banana Choo Choo”, and “My Trane(My Man).
 
After many years of getting piecemeal compilations of classic tracks featured on these albums- it’s great to get them in their complete form. It’s just a pity there couldn’t have been a more detailed booklet with this reissue- so as a result, I’ve dropped the release score from a five to a four. If you have any, even passing interest in the easy listening/ lounge genres of the 50s to 60s- this is a must!.