Post #515117 by tiki mick on Thu, Mar 4, 2010 4:14 PM

Actually, I agree with almost everything in this article! The only think I don't agree with is recommending people start with the original exotica genre.

I happen to agree partially with Jim Tikiyaki on this: The older exotica (which I prefer) is just not accesible to the average listener of today.

Most of us were weened on rock and pop, not jazz, big band or 50's easy listening. The exotica of today (what I call "Exotic Surf") combines the best elements of the old with the new.

Just like someone getting into Jazz for the first time. Don't start with Miles, because you probably won't like it. Start with Smooth jazz, then work your way backwards. That's just an example.

As I said before, few bands in the current scene are 100% pure exotica. Stolen Idols and Martini Kings come to mind as coming the closest.

However, and this is a BIG however...to somehow invalidate all the thriving, modern and vital exotic surf bands and neo-exotica bands like Tikiyaki Orchestra (or stupidly not even mention them in the article) was a mistake and a lack of research by this author. We have a very important scene developing, and tiki Central is in fact the epicenter of this new exotic world!

Where I agree with the article mainly is in the description of original exotica as being jazz based. 100%! And I agree with one of the posters above: The exotica bands were mostly smaller groups.