Martin Denny - Forbidden Island (LP)

Martin Denny - Forbidden Island (LP - Dark Lava Vinyl)

With Forbidden Island, released in 1958, Martin Denny expanded the sonic world he created on Exotica into darker, more mysterious waters. Recorded after Arthur Lyman departed to form his own group, Denny reimagined the exotica palette with heavier percussion, haunting vibraphones, and shadowy melodies that evoke the lure — and danger — of distant shores.

Once again, the cover features Sandy Warner, the timeless “Exotica Girl,” whose face and presence embodied the visual fantasy of tiki-era escapism. Her image, paired with Denny’s immersive arrangements, made Forbidden Island both a hi-fi adventure and a cultural statement.

Part travelogue, part daydream, the album blends Polynesian, Asian, and Latin textures into a lush cocktail of sound. More than sixty years later, Forbidden Island remains one of Denny’s most evocative works — a perfect vinyl escape for collectors, tiki lounge enthusiasts, and anyone chasing the glow of a mid-century paradise.

Original Release Date: 1958

For fans of: Ixtahuele, Les Baxter, Arthur Lyman, Robert Drasnin, Exotica