Ultra-Lounge, Vol. 1: Mondo Exotica (CD - 1996)

This is part of Capitol Records' Ultra-Lounge series.

An 18-song exhumation of the Capitol exotica back catalog, placing old standbys like Martin Denny, Les Baxter, and Yma Sumac alongside lesser-knowns like Webley Edwards, Bas Sheva, and the wonderfully-named 80 Drums Around the World. This favors easy listening-friendly exotica, rather than the style at its most outrageous. It may be too naroticizing for some, but connoisseurs will appreciate the inclusion of the rarer material; a couple of the cuts were even previously unreleased. ~ Richie Unterberger minimize