I listen to Les Baxter everyday on the way to work. Les was a remarkably gifted composer and arranger who was at the forefront of the EXOTICA movement typified by another hero, Martin Denny. Exotica was music that aimed to relax the baby-boomer generation in their space age boudoirs. The album imagery featured beautiful Tahitian maidens and tropical island signifiers. It was also music which had an undercurrent of malice. No wonder Genesis P-Orridge and Boyd Rice are big fans. I really like the recording of Caribbean Moonlight (below) as it reminds me of the music played in the bar scene in The Shining. Music played through a cracked lens. Reminds me, albeit slightly, of the Caretaker's 'An Empty Bliss Beyond This World' - a poignant collection of crackling and looped 78s. Very much memory music for a failing memory.
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