Contrary to the image projected by Hollywood B-movies, voodoo has virtually nothing to do with zombies, pinpricked dolls, loquacious ghosts or any other manifestations of the occult.
The term is a Western corruption of the syncretic Haitian religion known as Vodou, the songs of which, along with counterparts Cuban Santeria, Brazilian Candomble and sacred music from the African diaspora transported to the Americas via the slave trade, forms the basis of The Rough Guide to Voodoo.
The influence of Vodou’s source, Dahomey (present-day Benin) and neighbouring Yoruba (Nigeria), is tangible in the mesmerising tribal drumming, chanting and choral singing that dominates the compilation and culminates in…
320 kbps | 273MB | UL | BS | MC1+MC2 * FLAC
… marathon workouts by the ensembles Bata Ketu and Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba.
Two songs carrying the name of 19th-century Louisianan priestess Marie Laveau, sung by contemporary New Orleans luminaries Dr John and John Boutte, offer alternative blues and jazz perspectives. The uplifting brass music performed by Steve Gray’s band and Benin group Gangbe in the instrumentals New Orleans Funeral and Night Train/Segala, stress the American city’s connection with Vodou.
Acoustic guitar differentiates tracks featuring Grupo Vocal Desandann’s spectacular opening Cuban choral arrangement of Guede Nibo and Lazaro Ros & Olorun’s Cantos Iyesa pay homage to deities associated with the spirits of the dead. In the accompanying bonus disc, Regleman, the practising Haitian Vodou priest Erol Josue puts a contemporary twist on traditional Vodou rhythms.
CD1
01. Grupo Vocal Desandann / Guide Nibo 02:08
02. Lord Nelson / Shango 04:22
03. Dr. John / Marie La Veau 03:56
04. Gangbé Brass Band / Segala 04:31
05. Vinícius de Moraes / Baden Powell / Canto De Xango 05:53
06. Bata Ketu / Osain/Osanyin 10:35
07. Olorun / Lazaro Ros / Cantos Iyesa 04:29
08. Toto Bissainthe / Dey 03:39
09. Maria Bethânia / Canto De Oxum 05:16
10. Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba / Yemaya 09:02
11. Steve Gray / New Orleans Funeral 02:34
12. John Boutté / Craig Klein / Marie Laveau 06:53
CD2: Erol Josué – Régléman
01. Hounto Legba 03:20
02. Madam Letan 05:14
03. La Souvenance 02:47
04. Madichon 04:34
05. Ochan Lavi 04:30
06. Balize 03:51
07. Atomp’A 04:23
08. Garçon Solide 04:23
09. Vire Wonn 04:55
10. Ti Moun Yo 04:03
11. Yege Dahomen 05:45
12. Nadoki Nadoka 03:45
13. Krepsol 04:07