Midday Mai Tais (LP)

Mark Riddle, Darren Long (of the Tiki Delights), Kane Manakoora (of the Manakooras, Mike Young (of Mr. Moai & The Tikiheads)

For fans of: Sun-drenched lounge, lazy Sundays, and backyard barbecues.

Release Date: May 1, 2025

VINYL LP (180g Black)

01 Tears for the Island

02 Lazy Hammock

03 Midday Mai Tais

04 Pineapple Paradise

05 Sandy's Cove

06 Nights in Bora Bora

07 Lonely Beach

08 Rainbows Over Kaneohe

09 Lahaina Hula

10 Nani Wahine

ABOUT THE ALBUM

Imagine yourself on the beach of a secluded island in the middle of the South Pacific. The temperature is a balmy 82 degrees, it’s a bright and sunny afternoon. Now imagine yourself, lazing in a hammock, being served a gorgeous Mai Tai with a lime shell and fresh mint. Now, listen as the waves crash, the radio tunes in, and the dreamy instrumental music begins. Welcome to Midday Mai Tais – A Collaboration of Original Compositions.

The music on this album was created by members of The Tiki Delights, Mr. Moai & the Tikiheads, Mark Riddle and Jeremy DeHart, who are all musical virtuosos of the Tiki scene. Collaborations like this are unique. They are creative endeavors by friends who wanted to create something new. To share their love and passion for music and to bring happiness and joy to all who listen. It is also a way to expand their musical horizons and gain more perspective in the process. Each musician on this album is a talent in their own right, but working together they have created something truly unique and special.

Let me introduce the players: Mark Riddle has been a Tiki veteran for over 20 years. His Quiet Village Podcast is one of the most popular, where he promotes not only the exotica music of the past, but also the most current groups of the day. Mark currently plays vibes for Skip Heller’s Voodoo 5 and in 2023 released his most ambitious solo album yet, called Lahaina Sunset. Mark pens three songs to help us unwind; Lazy Hammock is a tune with an infectious happy-go-lucky feel. Lonely Beach is a haunting song that continues to echo long after the music fades. Lahaina Hula originally appeared on Mark’s album Lahaina Sunset. Here we are treated to a completely different and more upbeat arrangement right out of an old hula record from the 50’s, with Kane’s resonator guitar.

Darren Long is a hard working Nashville musician and the multi-talented composer and front man of The Tiki Delights. Darren is also the author and publisher of the Omni Hut, a hidden Polynesian restaurant in Smyrna, Tennessee. Darren’s Midday Mai Tais is the beautiful, whimsical title track. Sandy’s Cove and Nights in Bora Bora pick up the tempo, with the former being named after the beautiful Exotica Girl herself Sandy Warner and the latter treating us to Mike’s guitar work—Like watching an episode of Hawaiian Eye, the song has a surf/spy sound that really rocks! The album ends with Darren’s Nani Wahine, one of the most beautiful tracks. The song captures the feeling of ending a perfect afternoon, a bit tipsy, blowing on an empty beer bottle to the sounds of the sea.

Jeremy DeHart a/k/a Kane Manakoora is the brainchild of The Manakooras. Their 2023 album Jungle of Steel is a must-have for any exotica fan and steel guitar aficionado. Kane’s Rainbows Over Kaneohe highlights the sound of the mystical vibes over the lap steel guitar—a mesmerizing and catchy song that begs us to hum along with a melody that lingers long after the last note.

Mike Young is the founder and front man of Mr. Moai & the Tikiheads. His Surfotica CD, released in 2023, is a variety of genres ranging from Hawaiian, Surf, and Exotica. Mike‘s Tears For the Island leads off the collection of songs and sets the tone with an AM radio announcer welcoming you on your journey--as if one was setting up their spot on the beach before hopping in the hammock for the lazy afternoon. The song is a beautiful and enchanting melody and sobering tribute to the people of Lahaina. Additionally, Mike penned Pineapple Paradise— a ukulele tune that features Kane’s steel guitar.

Each member lends their talent to each other’s compositions in a true collaboration. These ten original instrumentals will help transport you to your own tropical paradise, perfectly capturing the romantic mood and melody of the Islands.

Now lay back in your hammock, soak up the sun, the salty air, and enjoy your Midday Mai Tais.

-Jeff Chenault (Author, Music Historian)