Search - Les Baxter :: Tamboo / Skins

If Only Reality Were As Good As This

Eric Vondy | Phoenix | 01/02/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"How do you describe exotica to people who don't know what it is? Middle aged white guys writing Polynesian music in the 1950's? American cultural imperialism rewriting native music to make it less threatening to Ward and June Cleaver? Or a few composers who drew non-Western influenes into the lounge style of the time? Whatever the answer is exotica is wonderous music. To quote the notes that come with it: "Put a Baxter record on the hi-fi and the kids, dogs, and lawn mower are transformed into a realm of half-naked women, jungle verandas, and tropical libations." It's tiki escapism. As for the albums included, Tamboo is great, a perfect album of exotica by one of the genre's masters. Each song is a mood piece taking the listener to a places such as Tehren, Havana, and Rio. But these are safe places where nothing bad happens and the temperature is always perfect, idealized sonic locales for relaxing with a cool blue drink. Skins on the other hand is emphasizes drums. That creates a rater jarring transition from one album to the other. While fine on its own, it seems an odd choice to accompany Tamboo. Still its great to have these on CD. Exotica has been much maligned and forgotten. People like Baxter, Martin Denny, and Arthur Lyman were all geniuses at what they did. As odd as the genre is it should not be forgotten again."

Tamboo/Skins

Donald E Bauer | Greeley, CO USA | 11/09/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a pleasure seeing these albums finally released on CD. The exotic music of Tamboo was so ahead of its time. The reproduction is very good even though it was recorded in monophonic. Les Baxter was such a great inovator of special sounds and only lately are people recognizing what beautiful and original music he produced. This album is a joy to listen to and one can only hope more of his "exotic" albums become available."

Master At Work

Handel | Hanover | 06/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Never mind about exotica, tiki, virtual tourism, disney soundtracks, white suburban 1950s. Did Les Baxter really think like that?



Both these albums showcase exactly what Les Baxter's music was all about - haunting melodies, luscious harmonies, ingenious and often downright experimental arrangements and - more than anything - a wonderful, sparkling compositional mind with surprising subtlety and emotional depth. Probably some of the most atmospheric music you will ever hear.



People speaking of Les Baxter as "Easy Listening" is like labelling Brian Wilson simply as "Classic Rock". Was "Pet Sounds" about sun surf and girls? Should tracks like "Mozambique" and "Oasis Of Dakhla" really just be labelled as suburbia , space age pop or lounge music? There's far too much going on here and way too much depth in those melody lines for this music to be simply pigeonholed as "Exotica". Les Baxter is in a different league altogether.



Highly recommended cd release.



Also look out for "The Exotic Moods Of...." double cd compilation which is the best place to start if you're new to Les Baxter.



More please!!"