Alternative Versions of "Taboo"

Apparently there are many other alternative versions of "Taboo" (made popular by Arthur Lyman's band and a million others), but I wanted to see if anyone is familiar with the arrangement done by contemporary composer OSVALDO GOLIJOV for the KRONOS QUARTET's album Nuevo. This album also has a fantastic arrangement, also by Golijov, of Esquivel's "Miniskirt."

Space-Age Pop has a page listing a ton of versions, but they don't have the Golijov/Kronos arrangement. (www.spaceagepop.com/taboo.html).

It's interesting to compare the Lyman, Denny, and Golijov arrangements. I also have a copies of the Marty Wilson version and Clyde Borly versions.

To me, the Lyman version is the most "exotic," with its birdcalls, sparse harmonies, and percussion usage. Also, Lyman alludes to "Quiet Village" by having percussion (after the perc. solo) play the rhythm of the QV bass line.

Denny's version starts off Latin-ish, but all throughout the head, it has that classic "we're about to swing" vibe, and then... ta-da!! The guys are swinging like we're in a jazz club, and then we go for a paraphrase of the head in 6/8! Woo-hoo! Maybe a little ironic that the father of exotica has a version of "Taboo" that's relatively square?

Mr. Golijov's arrangement is perhaps my favorite, but maybe that is because I'm a string player, and a big fan of the Kronos Quartet. Man, John Sherba and David Harrington really set the stage for mysteriousness as they play ponticello and sul tasto - two different ends of the spectrum, man I'm holding my breath the whole time! Just goes to show that ensembles of any instrumentation can play the exotic...

As a side note, if any of you have the WAITIKI album, we allude to "Taboo" in my original tune "Dew Drop Inn" -- see if you can find the references (there are a couple)!

Anyways, let me know what your favorite version of "Taboo" is and why!

-Randy a.k.a. WAITIKI's Professah Humming Flowah

Ahh Professah,
Onkonkulu! I'm stilling glowing from your most excellent set at the fabled Mai Kai. The opening notes of your version of "Quiet Village", heard in such a perfect venue, gave me goose bumps. I also dug your version of Si Zentner's "Tiki". Love your originals too. Waitki's obvious love and respect for Exotica is truly inspiring, and your seriously silly approach to music is very refreshing. Your disc has been getting lots of play on my DJ night. Many mahalos to you and the rest of the combo.

Now, you were asking about Taboo. My most favorite version of Taboo (that I could come up with for this post) is by Alex Scorier, a Belgian flautist/saxamaphonist, from his album "Latin For Dancers" (Polydor). I believe it was recorded sometime in the 1970s. It kind of has a TV theme vibe, with a wicked fuzzed out guitar solo in the middle. I downloaded it from some music blog within the past year. I like it because it takes this song to a new place without sounding corny.

Onkonkuluku!

This Alex Scorier recording sounds a little like porn-meets-Blood, Sweat, & Tears! Man, those horns add kind of a Bill Chase-like touch. I feel like we should all be ready to "Get It On" or something. Either that, or break into that 60s tune "Vehicle" ... man, this is rad!

Thanks Selector!!!!

At Hukilau, me and Quince_at_Danny's were swapping a compilation that had a number of classic exotica songs on it, but versions done a little differently.
Anyhoo, we included the MGM Orch version of Taboo.

I just love this version. Plenty of horn and big orchestral drum action that really pushes the envelope, making the song extra intense. Any good version of Taboo should be terrorizing on some level. Lots of versions pull off the creepiness via a spooky flute. The MGM version is more wide-screen terrorizing, placing you and the heroine - teetering - on the edge of a cliff looking down into a Technicolor volcanic abyss.

If you were at Hukilau, and you picked up one of those comps called "Exotic Exotica" (with yours truly playing Captain Pike on the front cover) check it out.

I,Z

Tito Rivera and His Cuban Orchestra from the compilation album; Cha Cha Cha cha cha cha cha cha cha cha cha. Starts with high flute then vocalist yelling la la la lay lo lo lo and then these amazing horns come in... nuts.

Dear Tiki and Exotica Experts,
i´m desperately searchin for the following version of taboo. can anybody identify who´s the artist of that version from the song?? Thanks in advance!!
Frank
Here´s the Youtube Link:

http://youtu.be/faQuNNiuA1E