From 1972, this fascinating collection only hints at the rich musical traditions of the Caribbean. Focusing on the 3 major traditions (Afro-Hispanic, Afro-French, Afro-British) it includes everything from rural folk songs to more urban music. Good stuff with typically informative and interesting notes.
1. Lively call-response w/a big village chorus & drums.
2. Another call-response w/good energy & perc.
*3. Uptempo w/accordion/perc/call-response vocals.
*4. A fast merengue w/catchy percussion.
5. Slow w/wailing female leader & chorus of women.
6. Female chorus in a midtempo ode to the Virgin Mary.
*7. Claps/vocals/chorus in an uptempo work song.
8. Lazy & warm bolero w/a quirky charm. Vox/perc.
*9. Uptempo, swaying meringue w/a relaxed energy.
10. Afro-drum based improv w/wailing male vox..
*11. Slow a capella intro to midtempo work song w/picks.
*12. Another great work song w/picks & good harmonies.
13. Men passing rocks & harmonizing to another work song.
*14. Fun mix of odd instruments in a relaxed but joyful tune.
15. A capella female solo, midtempo folk tune.
16. Children call-response a capella.
17. Female solo a capella, midtempo, kind of fun.
18. Fast drum jam into slow male vox/then halting & so on.
6/2004