The WAITIKI 7 — Exotica Reborn: In Studio And Live At House Without A Key (Waitiki International, 2025)
WAITIKI 7 plants a tiki torch back in jazz ground with Exotica Reborn, split between Island Sound Studios and two charged sets at Halekulani’s House Without A Key. This is their first studio outing since 2011.
Tim Mayer’s reeds steer the album, while Zaccai Curtis provides the exotic foundation with montuno and guajeo that pull the Afro-Cuban lineage straight into the album. Helen Liu’s violin and Jim Benoit’s vibraphone add elegance. The solid and eclectic rhythm section features Abe Lagrimas Jr. on drums and Randy Wong on bass. Lastly, Augie “Lopaka” Colón Jr. drops his signature bird calls, a characteristic element of exotica that adds smiles and enjoyment.
Guests include the Galliard String Quartet, marimbist Mika Mimura, and 97-year-old Harold Chang, who drummed for exotica pioneers Martin Denny and Arthur Lyman. Denny and Lyman turned Honolulu into a mid-century export with “Quiet Village” and “Yellow Bird.”
My ear keeps drifting to the lounge-leaning passages where world music rhythms, delightful retro ambience, and bird calls coexist with conventional jazz improvisations.
Musicians: Tim Mayer, saxophone and flute; Zaccai Curtis, piano; Helen Liu, violin; Jim Benoit, vibraphone; Abe Lagrimas Jr., drums; Randy Wong, bass; Augie “Lopaka” Colón Jr., percussion and bird calls.
Guests: Galliard String Quartet (tracks 2, 4, 5, 12 — Wu Hung and Helen Liu, violins; Anna Womack, viola; Kathleen Gushiken, cello); Mika Mimura, marimba (tracks 3, 6); Harold Chang, drums (track 6).
Track List
1 Cave of the Tarpon 4:11 (Tim Mayer)
2 Tropicando 2:50 (Les Baxter)
3 China Clipper 4:57 (Paul Conrad)
4 Quiet Village 4:15 (Les Baxter)
5 Cave of Uldo 3:09 (Randy Wong)
6 Yellowbird 4:38 (Alan Bergman,
Marilyn Bergman & Norman Luboff)
7 Coronation (live) 5:04 (Les Baxter)
8 Similau (live) 3:45 (Arden Clar & Harry Coleman)
9 Lucero (live) 7:27 (Cal Tjader)
10 Mapuana (live) 3:00 (Lani Sang)
11 Sunrise at Kowloon (live) 2:13 (Les Baxter)
12 Halekulani (live) 4:15 (Bill Kaiwa)
13 Cave of the Tarpon (live) 7:04 (Tim Mayer)
Buy Exotica Reborn.