In The Trashcan Records
GARBAGE-X10
"Here's the inevitable second part of The Exotica Collection. A spicy
brew of sixteen sexy slices, all but one from 1955-1963. Do the Ungawa,
do the Harem, in Ipanema, Ching-Ching or a coconut island with BB, Cleopatra
or Christine. Escape from your own Alcatraz and avoid the palmtree blues.
From vol 91 "Ungawa Chika"
Louie Ramirez aka Ali Baba recorded a lot of fine latin tunes (his Fania album "Ali Baba" is highly recommended!), but to me his most exciting recording is this one, a song about a girl from Mars named Ungawa. It took me a very long time to find this 45. I play this song to end my DJ set when I am the last DJ of the evening.
9. The Marc-Anthonians: Cleopatra's theme
From vol 87 "Instros Calientes"
Roman general Marc Anthony was in love with Egyptian pharaoh queen Cleopatra.
This band recorded in 1961 this super exotic ode to the "most beautiful
woman east of Rome". Close your eyes and do this snake dance in your
bedroom.
2. Boulou: The girl from Ipanema
From vol 77 "Pepper Sauce Taboo"
The 10-year old guitar wonder Boulou never had the opportunity to achieve
big success although he had all the required qualities. Enjoy his virtuosity
on the 6-string and listen to his three minute jazz rendition of thee Brasil
samba classic
From vol 82 "Babalu Sex"
Lyman is one of the great names in exotic lounge music from the 50s. His version of Middle Eastern folk tune "Hava Nagila" shows no weak points. This music should be heard when you visit the Dead Sea. In 1961 he was at the height of his lengthy career which ended in 1975. GNP and Hi Fi released most of his recordings.
From vol 97 "Harem Watusi"
One of the coolest and weirdest cha cha cha tunes I found. In 1958 he recorded this pop pop pop cha cha platter for Parlophone and it still remains one of the label's best kept secrets.
11. Hrach Yacoubian: The sultan's harem
From vol 97 "Harem Watusi"
The Middle East and its sheiks and sultans: romantic to some, fairytale to
others. Yacoubian recorded this fantastic two-sider for Era. Featuring a
bouzouki player I assume this has a Greek origin. Also listen to "Harem
twist", the B-side on vol 97.
4. Los Muchachos y Sus Mariachis: La
cucara cha cha
From vol 89 "Coming Attractions"
A cha cha cha version of Mexico's second national anthem. Just look at the
sleeve and you know that these guys were playing this when the photo was
taken. This EP also features a fine rendition of La Bamba. I think this was
released around 1960.
From vol 84 "Trip To Weirdsville"
A crazy laugh and a bongo twist tune is all what it takes to make Ching Ching a highly enjoyable party tune. Less than two minutes long, but at this speed you couldn't last any longer on the dance floor.
From vol 82 "Babalu Sex"
Written by Don Jaime de Mora y Aragon, or the brother of former Belgian queen Fabiola. I don't know who Miss X is, but she sure is one of the sexiest singers I've ever heard. And to prove that she recorded "S.E.X." as B-side. It's a 1963 release.
13. Doug Loveless: Coconut girl
From vol 74 "Search for coconuts"
A calypso drenched love song for an exotic beauty. The great guitar picking
and the steady beat are the reasons why girls always dance to this Caribbean
50s tune, silently hoping to be the coconut girl for their coconut boys. And
when they grow up, they can listen to "Cocoanut woman".
6. De Wama's: Doet u mee met de B.B.?
From vol 75 "No English?"
As B-side of "Striptease blues" this song is based on "Babylone 21-29", but
sung in Dutch and in a cha cha way. Even in the Netherlands Brigitte Bardot
was immensely popular.
From vol 93 "Jabedabedou"
For me Bourvil's version of Les Papous will remain the most exciting one, but this is the most exotic version. Not all their albums are super, but this EP sure is. Fast latin rhythms and easy to dance to. No, difficult not to dance to. And add some ghoulish laughter and a monkey shout and party!
From vol 88 "Transglobal Tracks"
I have so many versions of the best known song about Brigitte Bardot. And still I find crazy 45s like this: it's sung in Dutch. For more renditions of this song check out volume 23.
15. Esquivel: Jungle drums
From vol 92 "Wicked Circus"
I've always been an Esquivel fan and you should too, if you like exotica the
way I do. Juan Guarcia Equivel, Mexican, was already 38 when he recorded
this in 1956. One year later he was 'discovered' by US deejays. His
recording output is huge and all recommended, certainly the pre-1963 period.
8. The Baraca's: Britah!
From vol 79 "Bieres Superieures"
Is this Belgian? Yes and no. These 'afro-belges' recorded this 45 for the "first
African made movie". Every kind of African percussion you can imagine has
been used as if you're on a cruise on the Congo river. This is 1962 and
Zaire didn't exist yet.
From vol 77 "Pepper Sauce Taboo"
Mix spacey guitar sounds with Indian drum beats and you get an excellent version of the Shadows' standard. Three minutes of guitar instrumental beauty.
