Post #311114 by Sabu The Coconut Boy on Tue, Jun 5, 2007 12:43 PM

On 2007-05-31 08:44, Rastiki wrote:
Is the jamacain sound tabu in the tiki world????

I think you'll find reggae gets played more at tiki parties in people's homes, along with (cringe) Jimmy Buffet, Contemporary Hawaiian, Electronica, or whatever else the host of the party enjoys. When I host tiki cocktail parties, I like to throw a few Fats Waller jazz records on the old 78rpm player because it adds a nostalgic feel to the event. However, I wouldn't expect 1920s Jazz to be played at an event like Hukilau.

Tiki events at the old tiki restaurants and hotels, like Hukulau and Oasis, are more about stepping back in time and enjoying the heyday of Tiki Culture from the late 1950s thru the 1960s. So you'll find more Exotica and Classic Hawaiian music played at these events because that was what was actually played in those restaurants at that time. Who knows? - maybe a little Harry Belafonte got played at the Mai Kai back in the day, but reggae just wasn't around then and wasn't part of the Polynesian experience that these places were evoking.

So, while you probably won't be hearing much reggae at the large tiki events, keep enjoying what you like and don't be afraid to play what you like when you have folks over. You'll find that some folks are purists and will stick to Exotica and Hawaiian, but other folks are more open to listening to other styles of music while sipping a mai tai.

Sabu