Smooth Sailing: Tropical Soul & Latin Flavors

Picture: Joan Smalls Instagram

The sunny month of July is Smooth Sailing month! One of tracks is from Les Baxter. He is a pianist who composed and arranged for the top swing bands of the 1940s and 1950s, but he is better known as the founder of exotica, a variation of easy listening that glorified the sounds and styles of Polynesia, Africa, and South America, even as it retained the traditional string-and-horn arrangements of instrumental pop. Exotica became a massively popular trend in the 1950s, with thousands of record buyers listening to Baxter, Martin Denny, and their imitators. Baxter also pioneered the use of the electronic instrument the theremin, which has a haunting, howling sound. The exotica sounds make you think of tropical islands, blue seas and sandy beaches. Some of the tropical ingredients were copied by Dr. Buzzards Original Savannah Band and more seventies disco acts (that are gathered on ‘Cocktail disco’, a compilation from Dimitri From Paris). And many lounge acts used the typical exotica sounds in the 2000s.

Enjoy this new episode of Smooth Sailing!


Tracklist:

George Benson – Exotica (2009)
Pure Gold – Don't Fight The Feeling (1981)
Tony Wilson – Lay Next To You (1979)
Alex Mansion – Dans L'Eau De Nice [She Said Disco Remix 2015] (1983)
Astrud Gilberto – Who Can I Turn To (1965)
Kool & The Gang – Summer Madness (1976)
Caravelli – Je T’Aime Moi Non Plus (1970)
Minnie Riperton – Les Fleur (1971)
Heavy – Wonderlove (For Minnie) [Jazzanova Remix] (2005)
Jorge Ben ‎– Oba, La Vem Ela (1976)
Lalo Schifrin – Jim On The Move (1973)
Les Baxter – Pool Of Love (1960)
Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band – We Got It Made / Night And Day (1976)
Zeb – Brazilenco (2001)
Rey De Copas – Frontera Del Ensueno [Jerez De La Frontera mix] (2003)
Democustico – Rejoycing (2006)
Azymuth ‎– Triagem (2008)
Fania All Stars – Rosemary’s Baby (1976)
Johnny Nash – Mr. Sea (1979)
The Honeydrippers – Sea Of Love (1985)

Smooth Sailing: Tropical Soul & Latin Flavors by Professor Eddy on Mixcloud