West Indies: An Island Carnival

Songs recorded on the West Indian island chain known as the Lesser Antilles. A mix of African traditions and British/other colonial influences. Read the informative liner notes for cultural/historical background. --Chuan-Mei

1. A dance rhythm, featuring accordion, a scraping instrument, rattle (makes a static-y sound), rhythmic drumming. (2:10)
2. Improvized waltz, featuring violin, strong drum beat, rattle. (3:45)
3. Calypso featuring bright, squeaky flute, guitar, maracas. (3:35)
4. * Calypso featuring "cocoa-lutes." Great rhythms. (1:20)
5. * Plaintive singing in French-Creole. Male & female vox. (3:00)
6. Spanish-influenced serenade in Trinidad-Spanish Creole. Male vox. (2:45)
7. Children's singing game. Children's vox. Recording captures wind on mike, coughing. (1:40)
8. Chanting, drumming, rattle. (4:10)
9. Baptist spiritual. Drumming. Vox. (4:45)
10. Hindu epic song. Vox, drumming, small cymbals. (4:20)
11. * Two different drumming rhythms. Tassa drum and bass drum. Cymbals. (3:15)
12. Vox, tambourine and triangle forming rhythmical pattern. (3:15)