The Arthur Lyman Group — Lush Exotica – The Exotic Sound Of Arthur Lyman

Lush Exotica is the next release in Righteous ongoing Lux And Ivy series- which normally sees respected music journalist Dave Henderson crate-digging for 45s, to create 50s & 60s focused compilations. For this double disc set, we are presented with four late 1950s albums from band leader/ vibraphone and marimba player Arthur Lyman- who helpped give birth to Exotica -the globetrotting, playful, and often camp easy listening genre.

The two-disc come presented in a clear double jewel case- this features a glossy eight-page inlay booklet, taking in a few page write-up about the Exotica genre, the albums offered up here, and Lyman in general.

Each of the discs takes in two albums a piece- featuring a total of forty-eight tracks over both CDs.  The first album here is 1958’s Taboo - The Exotic Sounds Of Arthur Lyman- which was Lyman's first album. It’s very much a defining release in the Exotica sound, utilizing many of the genre's key elements- such as ethnic/ exotic percussion & tropical bird calls- all set around an easy listening framework. We go from clip-clop oriental vibe & percussion of  “Ringo Oiwake” which later adds in elegant piano flows, and layered gong elements. Through to “Sim Sim” which shifts between lulling vibe warmth edged with bird chatter and more bombastic/pronounced percussive workouts.  Onto jaunting toy-town parade goes to the south seas of “Hilo March” which features majorette drum work, joining weaves of piano keys/ vibes, and the occasional joyful whistle.

Next, we have 1959’s Leis Of Jazz- this album leanings more towards straight 50’s easy listening, which often has a playful jazzy tinged to its flow- with a fair few standards being played. We move from the largely steady and shambling groove of “Body And Soul”  which is all about a persistent cymbal beat, late-night piano keys, and bright vibe strikes- though in its last half, the pace picks up. We have the jaunting jazzy to elegant piano meets steady snaking bongo percussion of “On The Street Where You Live”. Finishing off with the south seas meets blues melody of “Aloha Oe” which is all weaving vibe runs, sudden boogie-woogie piano breaks, and hints at more bounding/ ethnic percussion.  It’s a pleasant enough album, and I can see due to its release date why it’s included here- but there’s not really any wholehearted Exotica present here.

Moving onto the second disc, we have two 1959 albums- Bahia & Bwana A, and these are largely in sit in the Exotica genre. On the first album we go from tip-tapping percussion, warbling parrot calls, and jaunting-to-suddenly bounding piano & vibe work of “Jungle Jalopy”. Onto urgent & bright flow of “Tropical” which it’s heady blend of marimba, scratching ‘n’ knocking percussion, and recurring chiming bell melody. We have “Beyond The Reef” which starts off with a haunting fog horn call, before dropping into the lulling sonic stew of vibes, Hawaii twang, and slightly forlorn guitar slides.

On the fourth and final album of the set we go from the twinkling chimes, moody gong hits, and mysterious oriental vibe & glockenspiel melody of “Moon Over A Ruined Castle”.  We have the waltz exotic groove of “La Palmoa” with its jaunting keys, tip-tap percussion, and lush vibe simmers. Or there’s the lulling playful drift of “Blue Stands”, with its blend of low-key rattling percussion, suddenly bounding bongo work, snaking to hissing percussion trails, and mixes of light vibe & piano key work.

It's great to have these four albums in one place- at a reasonable price point, just over a tenner. Yes, Leis Of Jazz doesn’t fit into the exotica genre, but the other three certainly do. So whether you are familiar with the genre, or fancy dipping your toe into this lushly exotic & camp form of the easy-listening genre- this is well worth a look.