Tiki Central / Tiki Music

Review - "Aloha Baby!" by The Tikiyaki Orchestra

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JB Joe Banks Tiki Socialite An island in Catlandia Joined: Aug 02, 2007 Posts: 560	JB Joe Banks Posted posted on Sun, Jul 24, 2011 4:30 PM Aloha. I am compelled to write a review of this album because, frankly, I have a lot to say about it. With “Aloha Baby!”, The Tikiyaki Orchestra proves, once again, that they are so far above anyone else in this musical genre that it is only a matter of time before they no longer belong to just our Tiki Community. This album solidifies that they truly are in a class by themselves. The “tiki bar” has been raised, once again. Ironic, because they raised on themselves from the last album. The album opens with “Theme for the Jetsetters”, seamlessly continuing right where we left off after the last album “Swingin’ Sounds for the Jungle Jetset!”. However, as that first track ends and the sounds of our plane lands…we are then transported into another world. The second track, “Polynesian Village Love Theme” is a lush (no pun intended), beautiful Hawaiian-style tune (complete with ukulele…a Tikiyaki first if I’m not mistaken) that will evoke images of a tropical paradise or a Brady Bunch montage of sight-seeing around the island. No one can accuse Jim Bacchi of not being able to write a catchy tune, and the title track “Aloha Baby!” is no exception. And it keeps getting more exciting from there… “Aloha Baby!” is a very sophisticated album, rich with mixture of Exotica, Crime Jazz and “Tiki Noir”. “In Search of Mei Ting” sounds like the ultimate “detective in the night time Hawaiian underground” soundtrack. And “Kono’s Revenge” is a show stopper of show stoppers. The album ends thematically as the last one did with “Hawai’I Nocturne”, which lulls us off peacefully, much like “Poku Moho” did on the “Jungle Jetset” album. The entire album exhibits such a confidence in itself that it seems impossible not to appreciate it’s very existence. The Tikiyaki Orchestra has evolved from Jim Bacchi’s grand solo experiment to a bona fide orchestra that really knows what they’re doing...and clearly has fun doing it. They are truly masters of their craft and it really shines through in this album. This is really an incredible album. It is so well constructed that you owe it to yourself to listen to it in the exact order as it is designed. Putting your iPod on shuffle or random would steal some of the artistry of this album like cheap booze lessens the Mai Tai. Aloha Baby! Joe Banks [ Edited by: Joe Banks 2011-07-24 16:31 ]
J JOHN-O Tiki Socialite Dogtown, USA Joined: May 16, 2008 Posts: 2721	J JOHN-O Posted posted on Sun, Jul 24, 2011 11:38 PM On 2011-07-24 16:30, Joe Banks wrote: ...The Tikiyaki Orchestra proves, once again, that they are so far above anyone else in this musical genre... Agree 200% !! Funny, I was just saying those EXACT words today at Don's. I came to that conclusion with "Jungle Jetset", the "Godfather Part II" of modern Exotica. :) I just scored the new CD and can't wait to listen to it. [ Edited by: JOHN-O 2011-07-24 23:45 ]
K koopkooper Member Joined: Dec 28, 2007 Posts: 407	K koopkooper Posted posted on Mon, Jul 25, 2011 1:35 AM Great revue! Check out my show "Cocktail Nation" this weekend for an interview with Jim from the Tikiyaki Orchestra. http://www.cocktailnation.net
TM tiki mick Tiki Socialite SOCAL Joined: May 12, 2004 Posts: 4105	TM tiki mick Posted posted on Mon, Jul 25, 2011 12:44 PM I knew the tikiyaki orchestra would be awesome after watching their first gig at Holden's tiki farm event, many years ago. This is what happens when you have a strong bandleader who has a vision and then makes it happen. What I like especially about the band is not just the music but the people involved. Jim is very approaceable and friendly....and I cannot say the same about some other similar "exotica" groups that are out there. They just don't connect with the fans like Jim's group does.
G GROG Grand Member (1 year) Tujunga Joined: Jun 21, 2006 Posts: 7283	G GROG Posted posted on Tue, Jul 26, 2011 12:10 PM Kono's Revenge. GROG' favorite.
H Hibiscus Member Boston-ish Joined: Sep 22, 2008 Posts: 211	H Hibiscus Posted posted on Fri, Jul 29, 2011 6:15 AM I just got my copy and WOW! It's like an audio vacation! Each cd is even better than the last one, which seems impossible, since each one's been so good, but there it is. And I am so loving the entire time-warp Polynesian Resort vibe. Everything is so spot-on - the sound, the graphics, the place names for the various lounges and restaurants of the "hotel". Awesome. Fantastic job all around. I want to live in Tikiyaki World! :drink:
AF A Frame Member Mr. C's on the Coast Highway Joined: Apr 16, 2009 Posts: 332	AF A Frame Posted posted on Fri, Jul 29, 2011 5:02 PM Kono's Revenge makes me check my rear view mirror! :)
K khan_tiki_mon Member Syracuse, NY Joined: Sep 15, 2006 Posts: 284	K khan_tiki_mon Posted posted on Fri, Jul 29, 2011 9:35 PM On 2011-07-29 17:02, A frame wrote: Kono's Revenge makes me check my rear view mirror! :) Too funny! The first time I listened to the CD was on my way to work and I had to check my rear view mirror!
CTIT Chuck Tatum is Tiki Member Southern Cailifornia Joined: May 12, 2011 Posts: 1674	CTIT Chuck Tatum is Tiki Posted posted on Fri, Jul 29, 2011 9:46 PM don't you think it needs just a little more cowbell?
W WestADad Tiki Socialite Tornado Alley Joined: Mar 31, 2009 Posts: 747	W WestADad Posted posted on Sat, Jul 30, 2011 5:57 PM I love the new CD. I caught myself whistling "Mysteria" on the way home from work the other day. I had to play the disc again as soon as I got in the house.
K koopkooper Member Joined: Dec 28, 2007 Posts: 407	K koopkooper Posted posted on Sun, Jul 31, 2011 3:35 AM the show with Jim Bacchi talking about "Aloha Baby" is online now. To hear the show goto http://www.cocktailnation.net
RB Rum Balls Tiki Socialite Da Big Island Joined: Oct 04, 2004 Posts: 910	RB Rum Balls Posted posted on Mon, Aug 1, 2011 7:11 AM Outstanding album!
B bigtikidude Tiki Socialite Anaheim,Ca. Joined: Aug 10, 2004 Posts: 9222	B bigtikidude Posted posted on Tue, Aug 2, 2011 8:05 PM was listening to this in the backyard last weekend, on the way to the beach on sun., and in the house last night. I often play it over and over, very infectious. in a good way. Jeff(btd)

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