Numero explores wild world of exotica with Technicolor Paradise anthology

 Numero Group's 3 LP or 3 CD cocktail companion documenting the short-lived 50s exotica scare is due May 25.  

It was a musical cocktail born in a marketing meeting: Two parts easy listening, one part jazz, a healthy dollop of conga drums, a sprinkling of bird calls, and a pinch of textless choir. Serve garnished with an alluring female on the album jacket for best results. Exotica! The soundtrack for a mythical air conditioned Eden, packaged for mid-century, tiki torch-wielding armchair safariers. Be it mosquito-bitten torch singers, landlocked surf quartets, fad-chasing jazz combos, mad genius band leaders, D-list actors, or a middle aged loner programming bird calls into a Hammond, Exotica was always more concerned with what geography might sound like over who was conducting. Numero Group's Technicolor Paradise set, subtitled Rhum Rhapsodies & Other Exotic Delights, presents three albums – or three compact discs – containing 48 (or 54) curious examples of the short-lived genre’s reach, each summoning their own sonic visions of Shangri La, bringing their versions of the Pacific, Africa, and the Orient to the hinterlands of America. Technicolor Paradise is where one makes it, after all. Check out the track list following the preview clip.


Daiquiri Dirges
Chuck “Big Guitar” Ernest with the Satellite Band: “Blue Oasis”
The Sound Breakers: “Marooned”
The Wailers: “Driftwood”
Lenny & the Thundertones: “The Moon of Manakoora”
Biscaynes with Co-Encidentals: “Midnight In Montevideo”
Red Garrison & His Zodiacs: “Chant of the Jungle”
The Palatons: “Jungle Guitar”
Chayns: “Live With the Moon”
Bailey’s Nervous Kats featuring James Mills: “Cobra”
The Blazers: “Sound of Mecca”
The Crew: “Jaguar Hunt” *
The Gems: “Slave Girl”
Jerry & the Catalinas: “The Arabian Knight”
The Jaguars: “Night Walker”
The Voodoos: “The Voodoo Walk” *
The Shelltones: “Blue Castaway”
The Blue Bells: “Atlantis”
Bill & Jean Bradway: “Paradise Isle”



Rhum Rhapsodies
The Melody Mates: “Enchantment”
Don Reed featuring the Voice of Love: “Nature Boy”
The Baton of Andre Brummer: “Tumba”
Darla Hood: “Silent Island”
Martha Raye with Phil Moore Orchestra: “Lotus Land”
Baha’i Victory Chorus: “Nightingale of Paradise”
Carmen: “Isle of Love”
The Monzas: “Forever Walks A Drifter”
Akim: “Voodoo Drums”
Fred Darian with Bill Loose Orchestra: “Magic Voodoo Moon” *
Don Sargent & his Buddies: “Voodoo Kiss”
Joan Joyce Trio: “Captured”
Pony Sherrell: “Tobago”
Darla Hood: “My Quiet Village” *
Jerry Warren & the Valids: “Enchantress”
The Centuries: “Polynesian Paradise”
The Potted Palm: “My House of Grass”
The Castiles: “Enchantment”




Mai Tai Mambos
Five Glow Tones: “Quiet Village”
Modesto Duran & Orchestra: “Silent Island”
Ross Anderson Chorus & Orchestra: “Tambu Theme”
Bobby Christian: “Caravan”
Bruce Norman Quintet: “Arabian Rhythm”
The Slaves: “Hari’s Harem”
Arnie Derksen & Chise: “Similou”
Three Bars featuring Nicky Roberts: “Caribbean Cruise”
Robert Drasnin: “Chant of the Moon”
Blue Jeans: “Moon Mist”
Artie Barsamian: “The Enchanting Melody”
Eddie Kochak & Hakki Obidia: “Jazz In Port Said”
Gene Sikora & the Irrationals: “Tanganyika”
Bobby Paris: “Dark Continent”
Walter Bolen: “Lion Hunt” *
Jimmy McGriff: “Jungle Cat” *
Chico Jose: “Locura (Madness)”
Clyde Derby: “Lost Island”
* – CD only tracks