TABOO - Arthur Lyman

YEAR: 1958

LABEL: Rykodisc

TRACK LISTING: Taboo, Love Song of Kalua, Ringo Oiwake, Sea Breeze, Misirlou, China Clipper, Sim Sim, Katsumi Love Theme, Caravan, Akaka Falls, Dahil Sayo, Hilo March

BONUS TRACKS: (on 1996 cd release) Bwana A, Colonel Bogey March, Waikiki Serenade, Moon Over A Ruined Castle

IMPRESSIONS: This is the album that contains, if not my all-time favourite exotica song, then at least one of my top five: "Sea Breeze". I've been known to listen to the song on endless repeat for an hour. TABOO is also probably the album which most completely demonstrates that peculiar relaxing feeling exotica music can bring -- and a tropical drink doesn't hurt either.

MY FAVOURITE TRACKS: Taboo, Love Song of Kalua, Ringo Oiwake, Sea Breeze, Miserlou, Caravan, Akaka Falls, Dahil Sayo, Waikiki Serenade, Moon Over A Ruined Castle

FACT SHEET: TABOO is Arthur Lyman's first album recorded shortly after departing from Martin Denny's band. The album was recorded at Henry J. Kaiser's Aluminum Dome outside the Hawaiian Village Hotel in Honolulu. The Arthur Lyman Group consists of Arthur Lyman (vibes, marimba, percussion), John Kramer (bass, ukulele, guitar, flute, clarinet, percussion), Alan Soares (piano, celeste, guitar, percussion) and Harold Chang (percussion, xylophone).