Music Review: Various Artists, Popcorn Exotica

By Melissa Bratcher

Croydon Municipal’s third album of Popcorn tracks, Popcorn Exotica, is another unbelievable confection. “Popcorn” refers to a Belgian club music scene that peaked commercially in the 1970s, and the common thread is the rather sleepy tempo. DJs would sometimes play 45s at 33 RPM to hit the proper beat.

The thing about Popcorn Exotica is you don’t exactly notice that all of the songs have the same beat until you realize you’ve been doing the same languid dance for the entire album. And Popcorn Exotica, like the previous Popcorn Girls (review), compels one to dance, however slowly. The tracks on Popcorn Exotica, like it says on the tin, are exotic: jungle drums, wailing saxophones, French singers battling ennui. Taken as a whole, it’s utterly enjoyable, chock full of songs from the late ‘50s and early ‘60s.

The languorous instrumental of Carl Stevens’ “Call Of The Jungle” starts the journey. Cinematic strings and a lusty sway of horns buoy the snake charmer feel of the soprano sax. It’s followed by another jungle song, the novelty tune “The Riddle Of The Papawhos.” Danny Staton’s song is silly with a chipmunk chorus and some gut-rumbling bass vocals, but it has a dreamy swing nonetheless. Les Elgort and His Orchestra’s “Voodoo Drums” is punctuated with exotic flute trills and roars of elephantine horns over a relentless lope of drums.

It’s not all jungle songs, though. The Islanders take us to “Forbidden Island” with bubbles from the sea and a chorus of mermaids. It sounds just forbidding enough to live up to its title. A doo wop group from Indiana, The Delcos, turn in the captivating and catchy “Arabia.” The Enchanters also start with a doo wop feel on “Cafe Bohemian” before melting into surfy tropicalia. It’s a curious little tune with the title whispered as a chorus. “Time Ole Story” by US Bonds (that’s Gary US Bonds, who was still turning out hits in the ‘80s) is produced in the sludgiest way possible, murky yet swinging, with crazy back-up vocals.

Elena Madera’s vocals on “Pu-Chun-Ga” are ripping, and possibly, at least partially, in gibberish. The song is delicious in its insanity. “The British Bardot” Gillian Hills sings “Maintenant Il Telephone” in French (as the title would suggest). Her voice is endearing on the slinky tune and the organ solo is delightful. Caterina Valente’s “Un P’tit Beguin” is seductive, all finger snaps and stand-up bass. “On A Tropical Island” has an incredibly sunny instrumental track with an irresistible flute hook and Valentino’s vocals are swoony, heavy on the vibrato, and very dramatic.

Like its predecessors, Popcorn Exotica sets a definite vibe. It’s full of fantastic, perhaps forgotten tunes, that set hips to swaying and heads to bopping. It’s a definite treat.

Popcorn Exotica was released by Cherry Red Records on April 20.