App Profile: Classic Exotica Albums

Mid-Century Modern Music makes apps that allow you to discover, or rediscover, music from the Mid-Century Modern era. This app focuses on a small, sub-genre of music called "Exotica" that was very popular for a brief period of time, starting in the late 1950's. Although you may not have heard of it, you'll be surprised to learn, that in 1959, Billboard's number one album was Martin Denny's genre-defining album, "Exotica". Denny even appeared on Dick Clark's American Bandstand, and during his career had three or four of his albums on the charts simultaneously.

"Exotica" is one of the few genres of music that wasn't targeted to young people. Its audience was older, often those that served in the war, and had fond memories of the exotic locations they visited. Stereo recording had only recently been invented, and "Exotica" music producers went to great lengths to show-off it's amazing capabilities, by creating music that sounded like you were in a far-away place. An "Exotica" album was often a great way to demonstrate to your friends, why stereo music was different, and incredible.