PRESS & TESTIMONIALS

FEATURE ARTICLES:

HIGHLIGHTS:

SPIN by Bill Kopp - January 8, 2026

“One of the most intriguing and unexpected current-day musical phenomena is the popularity of tiki, or exotica, a style of music dating back to the mid-20th century. Exotica is quintessentially American — the perfect soundtrack for cocktail hour … In 2025, the Waitiki 7 released a pair of albums; one live, one studio. Both balance originality with the enduring spirit of classic exotica.” 

Goldmine Music by TONE Scott - January 13, 2026

“The Waitiki 7, over the past almost a quarter century, have most prominently carried on the art form and in the most honorable and true-to-form fashion with their own ideological modern twist … utterly fantastic sounding vinyl albums … and an impressive set of releases!”

THE GIG: “Island Time” by Nate Chinen - October 13, 2025

“Exotica was populist, but hardly pablum… The new WAITIKI 7 release is actually two releases: a studio album, Caves of the Sea, and a live album, Enchantment Under the Kiawe Tree: Live at House Without A Key. Both albums are vividly realized and expertly played. I keep reaching for the live LP, which was recorded at the Halekulani — the very same hotel where Lyman met Denny a little over 70 years ago, igniting the tiki torch for this whole style.”

Shepherd Express by David Luhrssen - September 8, 2025

“...they infuse those sounds with a ‘50s cool jazz sensibility and occasional chill room groove.”

Jazz Views by Tim Larsen - September 4, 2025

“Exotica Reborn keeps the playfulness, the atmosphere, and the jazz heart of the music alive.”

WBUR by Noah Schaffer - August 28, 2025

“...proves that the genre isn’t just a fun slice of musical history, but a sound that can still be made in a fresh and vibrant way.”

Paris Move by Thierry De Clemensat -  August 12, 2025

“...pure joy, a heady blend of nostalgia and reinvention.”

BEST OF 2025