Tracklist:

• Aloha Oe, Song Of The Islands
• Kalua
• Bali-Ha'i
• Sweet Leilani
• On The Beach At Waikiki, Hawaiian War Chant, My Honolulu Tomboy
• Gates Of Heaven (Traditional Japanese Court Ceremonial)
• The Moon Of Manakoora
• Kashmiri Song
• Lotus Land
• We Kiss In A Shadow
• Now Is The Hour, Aloha Oe

Notes:

Released in 1959 by Columbia Records, Lure of Paradise is an orchestral exotica album by Andre Kostelanetz, a renowned conductor and arranger known for his lush interpretations of popular and classical music. This album serves as a follow-up to his earlier Lure of the Tropics, embracing the growing fascination with exotic soundscapes during the late 1950s. With its sweeping arrangements and atmospheric flourishes, Lure of Paradise transports listeners to a dreamlike vision of faraway lands, blending Polynesian, Asian, and Middle Eastern influences into a cohesive musical journey.

The album features orchestral renditions of well-known melodies associated with tropical and exotic themes, including Aloha Oe, Bali Ha'i, and The Moon of Manakoora. Kostelanetz’s approach is grand and cinematic, incorporating shimmering strings, delicate harp flourishes, and occasional field recordings, such as ocean waves, to enhance the immersive quality of the music. His arrangements transform these familiar tunes into expansive, symphonic interpretations that evoke both nostalgia and fantasy, making the album a standout in the easy listening and exotica genres.

One of the defining characteristics of Lure of Paradise is its ability to blend traditional melodies with Kostelanetz’s signature orchestral style. Tracks like Lotus Land* and *Kashmiri Song showcase his ability to create rich, layered soundscapes that feel both elegant and transportive. The album’s instrumentation, including steel guitars, flutes, and glockenspiel, adds a shimmering quality to the compositions, reinforcing the sense of escapism that was central to the exotica movement of the era.

Beyond its musical appeal, Lure of Paradise reflects the mid-century fascination with distant cultures, catering to audiences eager for an auditory escape. While some critics view the album as a response to the booming exotica trend rather than a groundbreaking work, its polished production and Kostelanetz’s refined orchestration ensure its place among the notable releases of the genre. For collectors and enthusiasts of vintage exotica, Lure of Paradise remains a beautifully crafted example of orchestral interpretations of tropical themes, offering a glimpse into the era’s romanticized vision of paradise.