Exotica

Exotica is a lush, escapist music genre that emerged in the 1950s, designed to whisk listeners away to imagined tropical paradises. Characterized by its use of unconventional instruments like bongos, marimbas, and bird calls, it blends elements of jazz, Polynesian, Latin, and Asian influences. Pioneered by artists like Martin Denny and Les Baxter, Exotica evokes a sense of adventure and mystery, capturing the mid-century fascination with the exotic and the unknown.