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Review - "Aloha Baby!" by The Tikiyaki Orchestra |
Joe Banks
Grand Member (4 years) 
Joined: Aug 02, 2007
Posts: 519
From: Hollywoodland
|  Posted: 2011-07-24 4:30 pm Permalink
Aloha. I am compelled to write a review of this album because, frankly, I have a lot to say about it.
With “Aloha Baby!”, The Tikiyaki Orchestra proves, once again, that they are so far above anyone else in this musical genre that it is only a matter of time before they no longer belong to just our Tiki Community. This album solidifies that they truly are in a class by themselves. The “tiki bar” has been raised, once again. Ironic, because they raised on themselves from the last album.
The album opens with “Theme for the Jetsetters”, seamlessly continuing right where we left off after the last album “Swingin’ Sounds for the Jungle Jetset!”. However, as that first track ends and the sounds of our plane lands…we are then transported into another world.
The second track, “Polynesian Village Love Theme” is a lush (no pun intended), beautiful Hawaiian-style tune (complete with ukulele…a Tikiyaki first if I’m not mistaken) that will evoke images of a tropical paradise or a Brady Bunch montage of sight-seeing around the island.
No one can accuse Jim Bacchi of not being able to write a catchy tune, and the title track “Aloha Baby!” is no exception. And it keeps getting more exciting from there…
“Aloha Baby!” is a very sophisticated album, rich with mixture of Exotica, Crime Jazz and “Tiki Noir”. “In Search of Mei Ting” sounds like the ultimate “detective in the night time Hawaiian underground” soundtrack. And “Kono’s Revenge” is a show stopper of show stoppers. The album ends thematically as the last one did with “Hawai’I Nocturne”, which lulls us off peacefully, much like “Poku Moho” did on the “Jungle Jetset” album.
The entire album exhibits such a confidence in itself that it seems impossible not to appreciate it’s very existence. The Tikiyaki Orchestra has evolved from Jim Bacchi’s grand solo experiment to a bona fide orchestra that really knows what they’re doing...and clearly has fun doing it. They are truly masters of their craft and it really shines through in this album.
This is really an incredible album. It is so well constructed that you owe it to yourself to listen to it in the exact order as it is designed. Putting your iPod on shuffle or random would steal some of the artistry of this album like cheap booze lessens the Mai Tai.
Aloha Baby!
Joe Banks
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[ This Message was edited by: Joe Banks 2011-07-24 16:31 ]
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JOHN-O
Grand Member (first year) 
Joined: May 16, 2008
Posts: 2459
From: Dogtown, USA
| Posted: 2011-07-24 11:38 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2011-07-24 16:30, Joe Banks wrote:
...The Tikiyaki Orchestra proves, once again, that they are so far above anyone else in this musical genre...
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Agree 200% !! Funny, I was just saying those EXACT words today at Don's.
I came to that conclusion with "Jungle Jetset", the "Godfather Part II" of modern Exotica. 
I just scored the new CD and can't wait to listen to it.
[ This Message was edited by: JOHN-O 2011-07-24 23:45 ]
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koopkooper
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Dec 28, 2007
Posts: 323 | Posted: 2011-07-25 01:35 am Permalink
Great revue! Check out my show "Cocktail Nation" this weekend for an interview with Jim from the Tikiyaki Orchestra.
www.cocktailnation.net
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check out the Exotica and Lounge podcast www.cocktailnation.net
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lucas vigor
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 12, 2004
Posts: 3453
From: "I've chopped my way through real jungle
| Posted: 2011-07-25 12:44 pm Permalink
I knew the tikiyaki orchestra would be awesome after watching their first gig at Holden's tiki farm event, many years ago. This is what happens when you have a strong bandleader who has a vision and then makes it happen. What I like especially about the band is not just the music but the people involved. Jim is very approaceable and friendly....and I cannot say the same about some other similar "exotica" groups that are out there. They just don't connect with the fans like Jim's group does.
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GROG
Grand Member (first year)
Joined: Jun 21, 2006
Posts: 6187
From: Tujunga
| Posted: 2011-07-26 12:10 pm Permalink
Kono's Revenge. GROG' favorite.
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Hibiscus
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 22, 2008
Posts: 198
From: Boston-ish
| Posted: 2011-07-29 06:15 am Permalink
I just got my copy and WOW! It's like an audio vacation! Each cd is even better than the last one, which seems impossible, since each one's been so good, but there it is. And I am so loving the entire time-warp Polynesian Resort vibe. Everything is so spot-on - the sound, the graphics, the place names for the various lounges and restaurants of the "hotel". Awesome. Fantastic job all around.
I want to live in Tikiyaki World! 
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A Frame
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 16, 2009
Posts: 208
From: Mr. C's on the Coast Highway
| Posted: 2011-07-29 5:02 pm Permalink
Kono's Revenge makes me check my rear view mirror!
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khan_tiki_mon
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 15, 2006
Posts: 256
From: Syracuse, NY
| Posted: 2011-07-29 9:35 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2011-07-29 17:02, A frame wrote:
Kono's Revenge makes me check my rear view mirror!
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Too funny! The first time I listened to the CD was on my way to work and I had to check my rear view mirror!
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Chuck Tatum is Tiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 12, 2011
Posts: 1674
From: Southern Cailifornia
| Posted: 2011-07-29 9:46 pm Permalink
don't you think it needs just a little more cowbell?
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WestADad
Grand Member (2 years) 
Joined: Mar 31, 2009
Posts: 731
From: Tornado Alley
| Posted: 2011-07-30 5:57 pm Permalink
I love the new CD. I caught myself whistling "Mysteria" on the way home from work the other day. I had to play the disc again as soon as I got in the house.
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koopkooper
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Dec 28, 2007
Posts: 323 | Posted: 2011-07-31 03:35 am Permalink
the show with Jim Bacchi talking about "Aloha Baby" is online now. To hear the show goto www.cocktailnation.net
_________________
check out the Exotica and Lounge podcast www.cocktailnation.net
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Rum Balls
Grand Member (7 years) 
Joined: Oct 04, 2004
Posts: 828
From: Portland, OR
| Posted: 2011-08-01 07:11 am Permalink
Outstanding album!
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bigtikidude
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 10, 2004
Posts: 8262
From: Anaheim,Ca.
| Posted: 2011-08-02 8:05 pm Permalink
was listening to this in the backyard last weekend,
on the way to the beach on sun., and in the house last night.
I often play it over and over,
very infectious.
in a good way.
Jeff(btd)
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