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Martin Denny - The best of Martin Denny's Exotica

Martin Denny news

◦ 18 february 2006: On March 7, Capitol Records/EMI Music Catalog Marketing will release The Best Of Martin Denny's Exotica, an 18-track CD that culls the best of the late Martin Denny's singular sound. A pioneer in the musical genres of Polynesian-infused exotica and space-age pop, Denny crafted a worldly sound that brought laid-back Hawaiian rhythm and vibe to an enthusiastic mainland The CD's lush digipak packaging features original Denny album art, specially-commissioned artwork by noted Tiki artist Michael Uhlenkott, rare family photos and memorabilia, and liner notes penned by Denny's daughter, Christina. The Best Of Martin Denny's Exotica also includes a previously unreleased bonus interview track!

◦ 26 june 2005: Cherry Red have reissued two classic Martin Denny albums on cd, Exotica and Exotica vol. 2.

"As part of our ongoing series of reappraised, remastered and intensified releases of music from the 1950s and before, here we hit the daddy of them all, Martin Denny, with his first two groundbreaking, international hit albums -- both in their original mono as well as their Spectrasonic Stereo Sound versions, in which the band went back into the studio to revisit their two hit albums two years later to satisfy the then brand new market for spectacular stereo. Featuring the hit anthem of 'Exotica,' 'Quiet Village' and a whole load of other wonderful tracks to chill out to, pour the cocktails and dim the lights... for Martin Denny!" There's no track listing to indicate it, but the CDs features the complete album twice, first in mono, then stereo"

◦ 5 march 2005: "Denny turned bird calls, vibes and piano into a signature sound, epitomized by his instrumental hit, "Quiet Village." At the height of his career, three or four albums held places simultaneously on the Billboard, Cashbox, and Variety best-seller lists.

Over the course of a career that began in the late 1950s, he released more than 40 albums and helped launch careers for his sidemen, including Lyman, Col—n and Julius Wechter (vibes) of the Baja Marimba Band. His long-playing vinyl discs suggested a mythic, magical allure, with titles such as "Exotica," "Primitiva," "Afro-Desia," "Forbidden Island," and "Hypnotique."

His sound fused American jazz with Latin American, Asian and South Pacific influences, relying on gongs, chimes and other unconventional instruments. Denny once said his music was inspired by the romantic setting of James Michener's novel, "South Pacific." In turn, Michener once said of Denny's sound: "It uses instruments and rhythms not usually found in popular music. I like it because it reminds me of places I've been, and sounds I've loved."

"Quiet Village," originally included on Denny's first album, "Exotica," has resurfaced in the past decade to appeal to a new generation of music fans, who label the tropical-flavored tune "lounge music." His music received a booster shot when Toshiba-EMI in Japan and Capitol Records in the United States issued compilations of his "exotica" in the '90s."

Read full story here.

◦ 3 march 2005: Sad news through the Exotica mailing list:

"Martin Denny died peacefully at home last night. He was amazing and inspirational to the end... calm, lucid, loving. Only two weeks ago he performed 4 songs at a fundraiser.
Light your tiki torches for Marty on his passage to playing celestial exotica with Augie and Arthur. There will be more extensive coverage in the afternoon editions of the local papers: starbulletin.com and honouluadvertiser.com."

◦ July 22, 2003: Collectors Choice has just released a never before released "live" recording of the Martin Denny group called "Baked Alaska". It is from a 1964 recording that came from Mr. Denny himself.

Martin Denny links

◦ The Temple of Martin Denny
◦ Martin Denny at Spaceagepop.com
◦ The exotic world of Martin Denny
◦ The ultimate Martin Denny interview
◦ Martin Denny @ Wikipedia
◦ Martin Denny obit @ The Honolulu Advertiser
◦ Buy Martin Denny CDs at Amazon.com
◦ Buy Martin Denny downloads at