In the Fall of 1995, Scamp began one of the most important re-issue projects in the realm of exotica. 13 albums from the master of the exotic...Martin Denny. Starting with the surreal sounds of Afro-Desia, Remastered with the due respect and worship these recordings deserve, previous "unofficial" versions will be obliterated by both the sound and detail paid to these. Extensive liner notes will provide the Denny history leading up to and surrounding each re-issues original release. Collect the set and get one of the best Denny biographies available.



Hypnotique and
Exotica III


Forbidden Island and Primitiva

Scamp's swinging Denny project continues with the release of Forbidden Island / Primitiva (Scamp 9713). All 24 tracks have been lovingly re-mastered by the Tiki gods at Scamp. Once again, Mr. Denny himself penned the extensive liner notes sharing many personal experiences surrounding these exotic masterpieces. As an added bonus, the rare stereo "Forbidden Island" cover!!!

Forbidden Island and Primitiva were released at the height of the exotica craze in 1958. Filled with bountiful bird calls and jungle effects by Augie Colon, both albums are among Denny's most popular titles.

Forbidden Island features the Denny line-p of Colon, Wechter and Ragsdale joined by special guests Will Brady, Bud Lee Lew Paino and Mike Garcia. Primitiva adds Roy Hart, Jerry Williams and the legendary Tak-Shindo to the Denny combo.

Forbidden Island--Cobra...Port Au Prince...Exotica...Little China Doll...Bali Hai...Narcissus Queen...Sim Sim...Goony Birds...Primitiva...March Of The Siamese Children...Sukara...Forbidden Island

Primitiva--Burma Train...Kalua...M'Gambo Mambo...Buddhist Bells...M'bira...Flamingo...Llama Serenade (Peruvian Llama Song)...Akaka Falls...Bangkok Cockfight...Mau Mau...Dites Moi...Jamaica Farewell




Exotica 1 & Exotica 2

Exotica IMartin Denny
Exotica 1 & Exotica 2
(Scamp 9712)

"You can hear a martini drop when they're on stage" - San Francisco Chronicle (1958)

Denny worshippers need little introduction to these albums. Seminal in the realm of exotica, Exotica 1 reached #1 on the Buillboard charts, achieving gold record status for both the album and single "Quiet Village." Exotica 2 would continue this success and cement Denny as one of the originators of the exotic sound.
Exotica II Now available for the first time (at least legitimately) anywhere, they have been packaged as a "two-fer". All 24 tracks have been digitally remastered with such care you will swear you are listening to the original master tapes! Add to this extensive liner notes written by Mr. Denny himself and including never before seen photos and you have the start of an incredible series.

Exotica I
Quiet Village - Return To Paradise - Hong Kong Blues - Ruby Port - Lotus Land - Similau - Stone God - Jungle Flower - China Nights - Ah Me Furi - Waipo - Love Dance

Recorded at Webley Edwards Studio, Honolulu, Hawaii December 1956
Released in May 1957
Engineer: Bob Lang
Recorded on two track monaural
Session line-up:
Martin Denny - piano, arranger
Arthur Lyman - vibes, xylophone, percussion
John Kramer - string bass
Augie Colon - bongos, congas, Latin effects, bird calls
Harold Chang - drums, percussion

Exotica II session
Soshu Night Serenade - Island Of Dreams - Japanese Farewell Song (Sayonara) - Singing Bamboos - The Queen Chant (E Lili U E) - Wedding Song (Ke Kali Ne Au) - Escales - When First I Love - August Bells - Bacoa - Ebb Tide - Rush hour In Hong Kong

Recorded at Capitol Records Studio June 14, 18 and 19, 1957
Released in July, 1958
Engineers: Val Valintin, Ted Keep
Recorded in stereo
Session line-up:
Martin Denny - piano, celeste, arranger
Arthur Lyman - vibes, marimba, xylophone, percussion
Augie Colon - bongos, congas, Latin effects, bird calls
Bernard Miller - string bass
Jack Shoop - alto flute, baritone sax
Roy Harte - drums, percussion
Gil Baumgart - arranger, percussion
Instrumental additions
orchestral bells, chimes, piccolo, tree bells, tree cymbals, tuned slit boxes, uli-uli (feathered gourd), ipo (gourd), guiro, quejada (jaw bone), crotales (tuned cymbals), boobams, bamboo chimes, glass chimes, assorted gongs


Afro-desia
(Scamp 9702)
Get yourself off your tiki butt, go to your local tiki record store, and trade that tiki money for this swinging slab of exotic delight. Certainly one of Mr. Denny's wilder efforts, Scamp even went to the trouble to correct the buzzing sound effect in "Tsetse Fly" so it travels in the intended direction. (Previous releases had flipped the channels.) Crystal clear jungle surrealism with liner notes by Irwin Chusid.

Tracks: Tsetse Fly - Ma'chumba - Jungle Drums - Cubano Chant - Baia - Swamp Fire - Temptation - Simba - Mumba - Aku Aku - Raftero - Siboney






Departing Flights | World Traveller | Connecting Flights | Flight check in



Vik's Lounge