I love exotic music.   But what on earth is “Exotic Music”?   There are many words to describe what it is but maybe we can eliminate what it isn’t.  It certainly isn’t something mundane or usual that you’d probably hear in your local elevator…”elevator music”.  I have traveled around the world in search of exotic music and have found lots,  in fact I just published my one hundred and first Cd of exotic music.

One style that I discovered in Indonesia is called “Genjek”,  what I call vocal percussion music.  This certainly fits into the “exotic music” category.  Here’s what it sounds like: Adi Ayu Genjek

Here is some very strange sounding music from Japan.  This is called Gagaku and is ancient music from 589 A.D. or before.  This is Japanese classical court music whose origins goes back to China.  Check this out (from my Kotobuki Cd) :  Kitoku no kyu gagaku

In my own musical compositions I use exotic instruments and exotic rhythms.  Here’s an example that is in a very strange rhythm a slow 21 time or fast 42 beats.  See if you can count the 21 slow beats or the 42 fast ones. (from my cd Exotic Guitars): Hari 21

My musical explorations have taken me to many fascinating places.  I’ve always been curious about sounds, rhythms, music and ethnic musical expressions.  The curiosity of rhythms took me to Africa, Indonesia, South America and India.  I felt and experienced spectacular sonic discoveries.  The world of “non-western” music includes amazing musical scales not found on our traditional pianos.   Indian music chooses from a vast collection of scales and “ragas” selecting musical pitches from 22 divisions of the musical octave.

I began hearing the name “Erv Wilson” as a musical “master” whose concepts of musical tonal systems is unparalleled.  I had Scott Hackleman build my first guitar-sitar.  As we designed and worked on the instrument, Scott again mentioned Erv’s name.  It turned out Erv lived 20 feet away from Scott!   Scott introduced me to Erv and my sonic pallet began to expand.  I met other fine composers who also studied with Erv and created the most “far-out” music you’ll ever hear.  My good friend Stephen Taylor (himself a fantastic composer for film & TV) spent over 2 years filming and creating this astounding web site:   www.TheSonicSky.com

Click Here to watch a video about Erv Wilson’s Organic Scales.

You have to check this out.  Your musical ears will never be the same.