Island-Surf Instrumental Review: Miles Corbin - Sounds From The Tiki Hut

Miles Corbin is best known for his contributions as lead guitarist for The Aqua Velvets, an instrumental surf group. He released his solo album Sounds From The Tiki Hut in 1999.

Bandmate Michael Lindner was a special consultant on this ambitious project, keeping the Aqua Velvet’s elemental musical tides flowing.

The Kahunabud performs on the Maui log drum, Selim Nibroc plays the Moroccan bongo, and Juan Amoratima performs percussion duties. As you can see, Corbin assembled quite a varied group of seasoned musicians in the studio for this session.

The only song that sounded like the Aqua Velvets was the last track, “Trail to Magic Falls.” Everything else sounds fresh and different.

What I noticed straight away was the simplicity and enchantment of the music. This isn’t like the lush, layered arrangements he plays on his regular gig; these are bare bones and stripped-down numbers. The drums lull you into a hypnotic daze, and the guitar will keep you going along for the ride. As pictured on the cover…it’s like sitting on the beach and playing your guitar to the sounds of the surf. Much like it’s depicted on the cover, the music is the romance of the beach in a beautiful island setting. It’s not hard to picture clear blue tropical water, sandy white beaches, and warm breezes when you listen to music so picture perfect.

How can you miss with alluring titles like “Sister Moonlight,” “Indian Summer,” and “Enchanted Island”?

The titles of the songs give you a hint of what lies in the story, and then the music paints the picture on the island canvas in your mind.  This isn’t surf music, so I call it Island Surf-Instrumental. The music stands alone waiting for a partner… it wants you to dive in, drown yourself in the salty air, and feel the ripples of musical delight brush against your senses and engage your imagination.

Grab your suntan lotion and coconut with your drink of choice and enjoy this beautiful music. Paradise awaits your beck and call…

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
May 23, 2001

Tracks:

01. Tiki Hut  

02. Coconut Syrup Daydream Skies   

03. Sister Moonlight  

04. Indian Summer   

05. Quintana Roo  

06. Enchanted Island  

07. Beats Around The Bush

08. Kahuna  

09. California Slack  

10. Trail To Magic Falls