The BIG ....FOUR perhaps ???? - Tiki Music

PP Prikli Pear Tiki Socialite New Braunfels, Texas Joined: Jan 04, 2017 Posts: 1025	PP Prikli Pear Posted posted on Thu, Feb 9, 2023 1:33 PM I have to agree with Rupe--the Big 3 are so-named because their output absolutely dominated and defined exotica. Gene Rains put out only three original albums, which seems to be the equivalent of a slow month for Denny! Going solely by quality, then Robert Drasnin should be up there but his Voodoo sank without a trace upon release, only to be rediscovered decades later. Lots of talented performers released exotica albums in the 50s and 60s, but most of these were opportunistic efforts to capitalize on a trend. Very few stuck around in the genre long enough to build up a lasting body of work. I wish they had, because as you rightly point out, folks like Ted Auletta brought a fresh and distinctive take to the sound.

I have to agree with Rupe--the Big 3 are so-named because their output absolutely dominated and defined exotica. Gene Rains put out only three original albums, which seems to be the equivalent of a slow month for Denny! Going solely by quality, then Robert Drasnin should be up there but his Voodoo sank without a trace upon release, only to be rediscovered decades later. Lots of talented performers released exotica albums in the 50s and 60s, but most of these were opportunistic efforts to capitalize on a trend. Very few stuck around in the genre long enough to build up a lasting body of work. I wish they had, because as you rightly point out, folks like Ted Auletta brought a fresh and distinctive take to the sound.

Post #807864 by Prikli Pear on Thu, Feb 9, 2023 1:33 PM