Post #308435 by Quince_at_Dannys on Wed, May 23, 2007 11:53 AM

I'll make some suggestions with the assumption that you're looking for CDs, particularly ones that are still in print (there's a lot of records I would add this list but not all of it is readily available on CD). These aren't in any particular order but I wouldn't dream of excluding any of them from my collection

Voodoo / Robert Drasnin--a bona fide classic, and the CD sounds great. Great mood music. Drasnin did this as a one-time only kind of thing but he nailed it right out of the gate. As most TCers know, he just wrapped up a sequel album that will be out in June.

Ultra Lounge Volume 1: Mondo Exotica--includes a lot of familiar Les Baxter and Martin Denny hits, plus some fantastic more obscure stuff.

The Exotic Sounds of Martin Denny--This is the Ultra Lounge double CD "greatest hits" collection. I think you can still get it... I know the Les Baxter one is out of print and costs a fortune on ebay. I would actually rate the Les Baxter collection number 1 if you don't mind shelling out the dough to get a copy. MD is more subdued sounding than Les, it's a smaller cocktail lounge type of group.

Ritual of the Savage / Les Baxter

Tamboo! / Les Baxter--this one has been rereleased as a better-sounding CD, but to be honest I would suggest tracking down the CD that includes "Skins!"--another great Les Baxter record. If you're trying to do mood music the extra sound quality isn't going to matter.

Afro-Desia / Martin Denny--crazier arrangements than most Martin Denny. My favorite LP by Denny is Exotic Percussion but that is not available on CD.

Pagan Festival / Dominic Frontiere--this one flies under most people's radar, but it is excellent; it's one of my favorites and it can be had on CD with Love Eyes (which is a little more sleepy but still good)

Leis of Jazz / Arthur Lyman--I think this is his very best work, and it is a really nice balance of Lyman-esque laid back sound, yet it swings just a little harder.

Savage and Sensuous / Don Ralke--Nice CD rerelease of an obsure classic. Includes bonus tracks from "Bongo Madness" and great liner notes by Darrell Brogdon of "The Retro Cocktail Hour." Warning--quite a bit more energetic & uptempo than a lot of my other suggestions, throw this baby on when the party in your home bar gets shakin'!

Exotic Percussion / Stanley Black--Another overlooked classic. Lots of weird arrangements and creepy vocals--a little spooky, but also little too uptempo to scare anyone. Not one of my desert island favorites (actually my third-favorite record with the title "Exotic Percussion", but nice for a change of pace.