My copy of "The Yoruba/Dahomean Collection - Orishas Across the Ocean" arrived yesterday. Woo hoo! This is one of my favorite recordings of all time: traditional West African music from across the Atlantic. I used to own a copy, but in a moment of rashness and financial desperation, must have sold it at some point. Anyway, all is well now!

The music is compiled from Library of Congress archives and comprises recordings made by several researchers between 1939 and 1957 in Haiti, Brazil, Cuba, and Trinidad; Mickey Hart is one of the producers and editors. This time, I'm going to take the time to read the whole booklet 'cuz there's some fascinating historical and cultural information there; but first, I'm just going to listen because the music is really wonderful.
I've put it together on an iTunes playlist with Babatunde Olatunji's "Healing Session" (I think I've mentioned that one before, it's beautiful, hypnotic, meditative music) and another round-up of traditional West African music called "Tribal Folk". TF is a very different style from the music repesented in OATO, but the combo works well.
The music is compiled from Library of Congress archives and comprises recordings made by several researchers between 1939 and 1957 in Haiti, Brazil, Cuba, and Trinidad; Mickey Hart is one of the producers and editors. This time, I'm going to take the time to read the whole booklet 'cuz there's some fascinating historical and cultural information there; but first, I'm just going to listen because the music is really wonderful.
I've put it together on an iTunes playlist with Babatunde Olatunji's "Healing Session" (I think I've mentioned that one before, it's beautiful, hypnotic, meditative music) and another round-up of traditional West African music called "Tribal Folk". TF is a very different style from the music repesented in OATO, but the combo works well.