Exotica

A musical genre involving tropical ersatz—the non-native, pseudo-experience of the landscapes and textures of the South Seas, Southeast Asia, Hawaii, the Amazon basin, the Andes, the Caribbean, and tribal Africa. The distinctive sound of exotica relies on a variety of instruments: conga, bongos, vibes, Indonesian and Burmese gongs, boo bams (bamboo sticks), Tahitian log, Chinese bell tree, and Japanese kotos. Additional characteristics are bird calls, big-cat roars, and even primate shrieks, which invoke the dangers of the jungle. Though there are some standards that contain lyrics, singing is rare. Abstract, siren-like ululations, chants, vocalized animal calls, and guttural growls are common. 1952–1968.