By the time of
Arthur Lyman's
Isle of Enchantment (1964), the multi-faceted musician/arranger/instrumentalist was a staple -- if not an outright tourist destination -- in and around the Hawaii tiki circuit. For the dozen selections on this LP,
Lyman (vibes/marimba/guitar) is once again accompanied by his longtime bandmates
Harold Chang (percussion),
John Kramer (bass/bamboo flute), and
Alan Soares (piano/celeste). As usual, the chosen material reflects a balance of entries that are equally inspired by traditional ethnic folk origins -- Polynesian, American, et al -- pre-rock & roll pop standards, and the occasional remake of familiar tunes from both the Great White Way and Silver Screen. The opening title track "Isle of Enchantment" immediately creates an ambiance with the blend of
Kramer's moody woodwinds and
Chang's jungle-imbibed percussive interjections -- which are fused with
Lyman's rich shimmering overtones. To a similar degree are the tranquil and meditative "Lei Aloha Lei Makami" and equally sublime "Isa Lei" -- which bears a lolloping rhythm that lies somewhere between the cowboy-esque "Happy Trails" and the familiar pattern used by the
Ink Spots on practically every track the vocal group ever recorded. The comparatively Eastern-informed "Sho Joji" and pleasant "Koko Ni Sachiari" are likewise outstanding examples of the
Arthur Lyman Group at their most sonically and emotively affective. Also highlighting
Isle of Enchantment are a pair of
Henry Mancini-related numbers from his score to the Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn cinematic vehicle Charade (1963). While the film's main theme is wistful and mysterious, "Orange Tamore" (sic) is a rousing uptempo treasure that ably combines
Lyman and crew's tropical sensibilities with composer
Mancini's masterful melody. The effervescent and appropriately monikered "Swingin' Shepherd Blues" as well as the album's closer "Et Maintenant" -- which may be better-known under its translated designation "What Now My Love" -- are evidence of the combo's roots as accomplished interpreters of modern post-bop jazz. As part of Collectors' Choice Music's thorough reassessment of
Arthur Lyman's Hi-Fi Records catalog, in 2008 they combined the contents of
Isle of Enchantment with
Polynesia (1965) onto a two-fer CD, making both long-players once again available after decades out of print.