"My music has always been like fiction, no authenticity; I didn't want to make African music--I only wanted to suggest how African music might sound." - Martin Denny, pioneer of Exotica music
This was a fun show. I love Exotica music. The mythology it has built for itself is as phony as a 99p novelty voodoo kit, but that doesn't cheapen the stunning quality of the music. In what other musical genre do you get the pleasure of listening to a five-octave diva singing about sacrificial rituals, or a bunch of ludicrously talented musicians whooping like birds of paradise while effortlessly playing the vibes like a man with three pairs of hands? More than 50 years after its conception, Exotica music is still incredibly inventive and evocative - which is exactly what these artists were aiming for.
So, get out your tiki mug, mix yourself a drink, and let the armchair stereo safari begin!
Note: the artist biogs for this show are brought to you mostly by the wonderful Space Age Pop Music site. This is a great site to get yourself acquainted with the artists behind some of the best music of the 50's and 60's.
And if you haven't noticed already, I use a lot of music from the Ultra-Lounge compilation albums, a fine source of fabulous music!
01. Aloha-No Honolulu - Arthur Lyman - Hawaiian Sunset
02. Goomba Boomba - Yma Sumac - Mambo
03. Tahitan Sunset - Bert Kaempfert & His Orchestra - Sampled vol.3
04. Caravan - 80 Drums Around The World - Mondo Exotica (Ultra-Lounge vol.1)
05. Taboo - Arthur Lyman - Taboo
06. Pyramid Of The Sun - Les Baxter - Mondo Exotica (Ultra-Lounge vol.1)
07. Quiet Village - Martin Denny - Mondo Exotica (Ultra-Lounge vol.1)
08. Tropical - Arthur Lyman - Taboo
09. Misirlou - Martin Denny - Mondo Exotica (Ultra-Lounge vol.1)
10. Babalou - Yma Sumac - Mambo! (and more...)
11. Jungle Drums - Arthur Lyman - Taboo
12. If I Should Lose You - George Shearing - Rhapsodesia (Ultra-Lounge vol.6)
13. Simba - Les Baxter - Mondo Exotica (Ultra-Lounge vol.1)
14. Jungla - Yma Sumac - Shou Condor
15. Brazil - Tino Contreras - Bongoland (Ultra-Lounge vol.17)
16. Malaguena - Chico Arnez & His Latin American Orchestra - Sounds From the Lounge: Latin Lounge
17. Lust - Bas Sheva + Les Baxter - The Passions
****
COMPETITION TIME!!!
18. ????
It's video game related, very video game related, and very geeky. I hope someone gets it!
Email your answers here.
Last week's sample was from Resident Evil 2 on the PSOne. Congratulations to Mr.T, whose prize is winging its way to you as I type.
**Entries to be in by 05/03/2008**
****
19. Voodoo Dreams-Voodoo - Les Baxter - Mondo Exotica (Ultra-Lounge vol.1)
20. Cubana Chant - Arthur Lyman - Taboo
21. Bongo Bash/Sax Con Ritmo - Pepe Dominguin/Jack Costanzo - Saxophobia (Ultra-Lounge vol.12)
22. Swamp Fire - Martin Denny - Mondo Exotica (Ultra-Lounge vol.1)
23. Moon Over a Ruined Castle - Arthur Lyman - Taboo
24. Deep Night Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise - Terry Snyder - Bongoland (Ultra-Lounge vol.17)
25. Atlantis - Les Baxter - Mondo Exotica (Ultra-Lounge vol.1)
26. Jivaro - Yma Sumac - Shou Condor
27. Brazilleros - Arthur Lyman - Taboo
28. Taboo - Leo Arnaud - Bongoland (Ultra-Lounge vol.17)
29. Alika - Webley Edwards - Mondo Exotica (Ultra-Lounge vol.1)
30. Bwana A - Arthur Lyman - Taboo
31. Fever - Richard Marino & His Orchestra - Rhapsodesia (Ultra-Lounge vol.6)
32. Zombie - Kava Kon - Departure Exotica
33. The Girlfriend Of The Whirling Dervish - Martin Denny - Mondo Exotica (Ultra-Lounge vol.1)
34. Song Of The Islands (Na Lei O Hawaii) - Arthur Lyman - Hawaiian Sunset
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( 3 / 207 )
Get your cocktail kits out and put on your one-piece nylon speed suits. Sit back in a retro-style pad and let the sound of lounge take you on a mid-tempo trip. Perfect for 60s spies, the apres-ski set and the retro jet set crowd.
01. The Griots - Andrew Hill - The Blues Series Sampler
02. Blues Oriental - Cannonball Adderley - Things Are Getting Better (with Milt Jackson)
03. Bossa Nova (In The Restaurant) - Ken Thorne - The Bossa Nova Exciting Jazz Samba Rhythms - Film Bossa Vol. 6
04. So Nice - Roy Budd - Sounds From the Lounge: Latin Lounge
05. Route 66 - Laurindo Almeida And The Bossa Nova Allstars - The Bossa Nova Exciting Jazz Samba Rhythms - Film Bossa Vol. 6
06. Bewitched - Peggy Lee - TV Town (Ultra-Lounge vol.13)
07. Darth Vader's "Imperial March" Theme (Live at The Derby) - Richard Cheese - Dick At Night
08. Couleur Cafe - Serge Gainsbourg - Espresso Espresso
09. Blind Man, Blind Man - Donald Byrd
10. Que Sera Sera - Asuka Sakai, Charlie Kosei - Katamari Damacy OST
11. Samba Saravah - Francis Lai - The Bossa Nova Exciting Jazz Samba Rhythms - Film Bossa Vol. 6
12. The Girl From U.N.C.L.E. - Teddy Randazzo - Espresso Espresso
13. Berimbau - Os Cincos-Pados - The Bossa Nova Exciting Jazz Samba Rhythms
14. That Lucky Old Sun - Grant Green
15. So Nice - Wanda Sá, Sergio Mendes - Bossa Novaville (Ultra-Lounge vol.14)
16. Fork in the Wall - Masafumi Takada - No More Heroes Original Sound Tracks
****
COMPETITION TIME!!!
17. ????
Last competition's sample was the chest-opening theme from Zelda, congrats to Mike, whose prize is on its way as I type!
If you know which video game this week's music is from contact me.
**This competition is now closed**
****
18. La Bamba - Dave Pike - The Best Of Latin Jazz
19. Spooky - Andy Williams - In The Lounge With...
20. Like Young - David Rose - Cocktail Capers (Ultra-Lounge vol.8)
21. Wave - Alan Haven - Sounds From the Lounge: Latin Lounge
22. Amy's Theme - Martin Denny - Bossa Novaville (Ultra-Lounge vol.14)
23. Light My Fire - The Tony Hatch Orchestra - Sounds From the Lounge: Pop Covers, Lounge Style
24. Nem Vem Que Nao Tem - Wilson Simonal - Espresso Espresso
25. The Bomberman Lounge - June 'Chiki' Chikuma - Saturn Bomberman OST
26. Groovin' High - Cannonball Adderley - Things Are Getting Better (with Milt Jackson)
27. Spider-Man Theme - Richard Cheese - Dick At Night
28. Modesty Blaise Theme - Cal Tjader & Eddie Palmieri - Espresso Espresso
29. Os Grilos - Os Catedraticos - The Bossa Nova Exciting Jazz Samba Rhythms
30. Finita - Tony Hatch - Sounds From the Lounge: Latin Lounge
31. Wave - Paul Desmond - CTI Master Series Sampler
32. Ya-Ya - Ed Lincoln - Ed Lincoln
33. A Man and a Woman - The Tony Hatch Sound - Sounds From the Lounge: Essential Loungecore
34. Ending: Pala Paya...Lounge Musique - Dr.Pris & Dr.Rachel - Space Channel 5 OST
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( 3.1 / 376 )Welcome to a new feature of Diversion. The title should explain it all, really.
First up is a track from the excellent Wii slash-em-up No More Heroes. I recently spent a solid couple of days playing this game, getting immersed in the rather odd world of Travis Touchdown, whose sole mission in life (or this game at least) is to defeat the top ten ranking assassins in the town of Santa Destroy to become #1.
Masafumi Takada and Jun Fukuda's soundtrack is nicely eclectic (it's definitely more listener-friendly than their previous work on Killer 7), from all-out rock battle music to 8-bit retro game ditties, but the one that's made an impression and become my new favourite song is DND (Do Not Destroy), the background music of Travis' motel room, the place where you can change clothes, go to the toilet (save), and play with his cat, Jeane.
DND's laid-back groove is the perfect music for the anime-obsessed hitman at home, taking in a bit of downtime before the cartoon bloodshed (or black pixelshed in Europe and Japan) begins again. As a part of the game's design, it adds to the contrast between Travis' life as an uber-cool hitman and the rather sad reality of his life in a motel room in a crappy town, with just his collection of anime tat and porn videos to pass the time with.
I could possibly write an essay on this game, so I'll summarise for now; It's a great game, and DND is a great tune - enjoy!
Buy the 3-Disc(!) No More Heroes soundtrack.
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( 3 / 358 )
On the 20th of April in Tokyo's Shinjuku Culture Centre, the Tokyo Philharmonic (the orchestra behind the excellent early 90's Orchestral Game Concerts) will be playing tunes from the Gyakuten Saiban (or Ace Attorney) series.
The series' producer, Minae Matsukawa has a development blog here, and stated that there will be a 'special announcement' at the concert. Initial speculation was that it was the inevitable Gyakuten Saiban 5 that would be shown off, but rumours have been spreading that it may not be a game that is announced, but something else involving 'video products' instead.
Either way, more Gyakuten Saiban news is always good news.
Watch this space...
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( 3 / 270 )
All the way back in show 25, I tried to play a track from the Silent Hill soundtrack only to have it mysteriously come out garbled when it had been fine on pre-fade.
Anyway, many thanks to FUNGO of the awesome Silent Hill Media X who sent in an explanation:
"Internet radio compresses audio bitrate to that of 80kbps and below in order to have uninterrupted streaming. Silent Hill music uses a wide frequency range that, when compressed to a lower bitrate, can cause high pitches to turn into a strange digital jumble - and turn low pitches into silence."
Thanks, FUNGO!
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( 3.1 / 130 )...there will be none. Working commitments have got in the way. Diversion will be back on the 27th of March, with another special!
In the meantime, I'll finally get around to posting a load of stuff that's been sitting on my desktop and in bookmarks for a while.
Kaiser Tia
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( 3 / 159 )Flutey and Funky, this is the Funky Flute Special!
01. Secrets - Count Basie - Count Basie And The Kansas City 7
02. Deve Ser Amor - Herbie Mann - From Latin...To Jazz Dance Vol.3
03. Latin Workout - Ray Ridera - Espresso Espresso
04. Cantata For Combo - Lalo Schifrin - Bullitt OST
05. Cohelo - Mandrill - Mandrill Is
06. Killer Joe - Quincy Jones - The Many Faces of Quincy Jones
07. Agent Double-O-Soul - The John Schroeder Orchestra
08. Chitterlings Con Carne - Pucho & His Latin Soul Brothers
09. Thank you (Fall etin Me Be Mice Elf Again) - Joe Thomas - Pulp Fusion
10. Gypsy Queen - Count Basie - Afrique
11. Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay - Mongo Santamaria - Mongo Santamaria's Greatest Hits
12. Willy's Headache - Cymande - Second Time Round
13. Kofijahm - Mandrill - Mandrill Is
14. In the Bottle - Brother to Brother - All Platinum Funk
15. A Song For Cathy - Lalo Schifrin - Bullitt OST
16. The Edge - David McCallum - Sampled vol.3
17. Theme From 2001 - The Ray McVay Orchestra and Singers - The Ray McVay Roadshow
18. Burning Spear - S.O.U.L. - Back to Breaks
19. The Phantom - Bubbha Thomas & The Lightmen Plus One - The Funky 16 Corners
****
COMPETITION TIME!!!
20. ????
Another video game sample, but what is it? If you know, contact me.
Last week's anime music was from Naruto.
**Entries to be in by 19/03/2008**
****
21. Flutes Ad Libitum - Raymond Guiot (France) & Guy Pedersen (UK) - Blow Up Presents Exclusive Blend Vol.3
22. Chutney - Mandrill - Mandrill
23. Samba De Orfeu - Bud Shank - The Bossa Nova Exciting Jazz Samba Rhythms - Film Bossa Vol. 6
24. Batucada - Roberto Delgado Orchestra - Espresso Espresso
25. Scarborough Fair - Ray McVay & His Orchestra - Olé McVay
26. On the Way To San Mateo - Lalo Schifrin - Bullitt OST
27. No Puedo Darte Nada Mas Que Amor - Jaime Delgado Aparicio - Latin Disco
28. Rickshaw - Cymande - Cymande
29. Sound Success - Joe Wallis - The Sound of Funk Vol. 9
30. Bumpy's Blues - Isaac Hayes - Shaft OST
31. Peace and Love (Amani Na Mapenzi, Movement 3 - Time) - Mandrill - Mandrill
32. Kermesse Non Héroïque - Guy Pedersen (UK/France) - Blow Up Presents Exclusive Blend Vol.3
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( 2.8 / 171 )A bit late for technical reasons, here's the playlist and links for show 40
(01. Robot Portrait - Quincy Jones - The Quintessence)
02. Lowdown Popcorn - James Brown - Sex Machine - Live
03. Sticks and Stones - Boogaloo Joe Jones - The Mindbender
04. Feeling Alright - Maceo And All The King's Men - Funky Music Machine
05. Eu Sou Mais Eu - Ana Mazzotti - Brazil Boogie
06. KC Drive - Tommy Wills Man With A Horn - The Rustlers Roots of Funk
07. Sissy Strut - Joe Bravo - Texas Funk
08. Aredze - Letta Mbulu - Letta Mbulu Sings
09. Caramba - The Champs - From Latin...To Jazz Dance Vol.1
10. Hey Baby - Bruce Channel
11. Randy Scouse Git - The Monkees
12. Last Samba - Asuka Sakai, Yu Miyake - Katamari Damacy OST
13. A Nega Se Vingou - Walter Wanderley - Cha-Cha De Amor
14. Soul Sauce - Timebox - Sounds From the Lounge: Latin Lounge
15. Guy's Got To Go - Charlie Christian - The Jazz Selection vol.2
16. Baby I Like The Look Of You - Peter London - Maximum R&B - Doin' The Mod Vol.3
17. Les Electroniciens - Bruno Spoerri - The Mood Mosaic 10: Retro Active
18. The Model - Kraftwerk - The Man Machine
19. Green Onions - Mongo Santamaria - Mongo Santamaria's Greatest Hits
****
COMPETITION TIME!!!
20. ????
It's from an anime this time.
Email your answers here.
Last week's sample was the Gamecube's alternate startup sound when you turn on the console holding down Z. Told ya it was geeky.
**This competition is now closed**
****
21. A Long Ways From Home - Hugh Masekela - Club Africa 2
22. Latin Quarter - Laurie Johnson - With A Vengeance
23. O Amor Que Eu Guardei - Ed Lincoln - Ed Lincoln
24. Sunny - Pucho & His Latin Soul Brothers - Cold Shoulder
25. Blue 'n' Groovy - Paraffin Jack Flash Ltd. - The Easy Project
26. Sunshine Superman - Mel Tormé - On the Rocks, Pt. 1 (Ultra-Lounge)
27. Somebody Stole My Thunder - Georgie Fame - Blow Up A Go-Go
28. Handsome Boy - The Rwenzori's - Afro Beat
29. You Did It - Ann Robinson - The Sound of Funk Vol. 6
30. Rubberneckin' - Elvis Presley - The Memphis Record
31. I Had To Get With It - Jimmy McCracklin - The Soul of Minit Records
32.Hook & Sling - Eddie Bo - Back to Breaks
33. Money Honey - Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters
34. The Debt Collector - Blur - Parklife
35. You Can't Catch Me - Chuck Berry
36. The Calloway Boogie - Cab Calloway - The King Of Hi-De-Ho 1934-1937
37. Boom Boom - The Animals
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( 3 / 128 )You may have noticed the site's been kind of sparse on updates recently. There's been trouble behind the scenes, the main problem being I couldn't even log in. Anyway, it's all fixed and dandy (thanks, Alan!), and we can continue Diversion as normal.
Starting with this...
Ladies and gentlemen, if you have a Wii and a sense of fun, go out and buy No More Heroes. This game is ridiculously stylish and deserves to be played. Made by Grasshopper Manufacture, No More Heroes is stylistically similar to Killer 7, but definitely makes a lot more sense plot-wise.
Here's an early trailer that will say more than I can
It's about time more games were made with this amount of style and class.
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( 2.9 / 131 )Well, I couldn't have a show on Valentine's Day and not do a special! Enjoy this playlist of diverting love songs.
01. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm - Mildred Bailey - Doin' the Uptown Lowdown
02. Come In - Peter Wyngarde - When Sex Leers its Inquisitive Head
03. Got To Get'Cha - Maceo & All The King's Men - Doing Their Own Thing
04. I May Be Right, I May Be Wrong - Mill Street Depo - All Platinum Funk
05. Baby Let Me Take You (In My Arms) - Detroit Emeralds - Sampled vol.3
06. (I Wanna) Testify - The Parliaments - Testify! - The Best Of The Early Years
07. Let Love Find You - Pucho & His Latin Soul Brothers - Cold Shoulder
08. Love Is Only Sleeping (Alt. Mix) - The Monkees - The Definitive Monkees
09. Don't Knock My Love - Wilson Pickett - Really Heavy Soul
10. Anti Love Song - Betty Davis - Harmless Sampler
11. In The Name Of Love - J.J. Johnson - Goodies
12. Love Is Blue - Hugo Montenegro - Good Vibrations
13. End Of Our Love - Nancy Wilson - Talcum Soul
14. I Love You Honey - John Lee Hooker - I'm John Lee Hooker
15. Number One In Your Heart - The Monitors - Mod Fave Raves Vol.1
16. Save My Love For A Rainy Day - The Temptations - With A Lot O' Soul
17. This Is My Happiness (Tom Jones A Go Go Mix) - Tetsuo Yoshida - Space Channel 5 Part 2: Non Stop Mega Mix
****
COMPETITION TIME!!!
18. ????
It's from a video game, tell me which one it is and you'll win a prize!
Email your answers here.
Last week's music was 'Soul and Sword' the theme of Seigfried from the original Soul Blade / Edge back on the PSOne
This competition is now closed
****
19. You'e Just in Love - Louis Prima
20. Love Today, Cry Tomorrow - Cyril Stapleton - Sounds From the Lounge: Essential Loungecore
21. Romantic Love - Masaya Matsuura - Parappa The Rapper 2 OST
22. Can I Get A Witness - Marvin Gaye - Ready Steady Go! The Sixties Sound Of Motown
23. I Can't Get Next to You - The Temptations - Puzzle People
24. Needle In A Haystack - The Velvelettes - Mod Fave Raves Vol.1
25. Feel the Need - Detroit Emeralds - Feel the Need
26. I Got The... - Labi Siffre - Back to Breaks
27. Take Me to the River - Syl Johnson - 70's Funk 'n' Soul Classics
28. What A Man - Linda Lyndell - Back to Breaks
29.Hard To Handle - Otis Redding - The Dock Of The Bay: The Definitive Collection
30. I Can't Stand The Pain - Dee Irwin - The Soul of Minit Records
31. The Same Love That Made Me Laugh - Bill Withers - 70's Funk 'n' Soul Classics
32. I'm Glad You're Mine - Al Green - Harmless Sampler
33. Hush - Joe South
34. Love At First Sight - Chairmen Of The Board - Skin I'm In
35. As Long As I Have You - Garnet Mimms - Talcum Soul
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( 3 / 160 )
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