Genre: Jazz
All the musical Voodoo you need – original music of sacred rituals from Haiti and beyond, adapted Jazz-concept albums and the imagined mysteries of Exotica Forget the clichés about Voodoo and throw everything you know about it from lms, books, and Pop-songs overboard before listening to the drums from Haiti, which form the most important ritual foundation for the Voodoo religion and its ceremonies.
Voodoo was a syncretistic religion originating in West Africa originally, spreading via the slave trade across the Caribbean and Haiti to Louisiana in the Southern USA and South America. Merging with the European musical heritage, its rhythms formed the basis for many North American popmusical forms of the 20th century, such as jazz, blues, rhythm & blues, rock, funk and hip hop. In Haiti and some African states, Voodoo is a recognized state religion and is said to have 60 million followers today. Katherine Dunham (1909-2006) was an African-American pioneer who, as an anthropologist, dancer and choreographer, began travelling to Haiti in 1936 and intensively studied the music of the Caribbean; she probably also made the rst recordings there, which were to be released in the US as early as 1946. The singer and dancer Emy De Pradines (born in Haiti in 1918) was the rst to receive a recording contract in her home country. The original albums of master drummers like Ti Roro, Ti Marcel and Issa El Saieh demonstrate how this music developed in the 50s.
In the United States, an Exotica-boom began in the mid-1950s, triggering a wide spectrum of recordings under the voodoo concept from jazz to easy listening. Hiding behind the alias Chaino the American drummer Leon Johnson (1927- 1999) made some recordings, which stayed rather close to the original rituals. Musically interesting are the Voodoo-productions with jazz musicians by Perez Prado, Shorty Rodgers, Don Ralke, Buddy Collette and, above all, Tito Puente. The last three CDs of this box set present the kings of Easy Listening, whose exotic soundtrack journeys into the world of Voodoo, comfortably enjoyed from the sofa of the futuristically furnished American middle-class apartment, a wellgroomed cocktail in hand, created a wonderful sound-wallpaper.
Tracklist:
CD1
KATHERINE DUNHAM PRESENTS DRUM RHYTHMS OF HAITI CUBA BRAZIL:
THE SINGING GODS
1. Ibo (PD) 3.29
2. Yon Valu (PD) 4.10
3. Mahi (PD) 3.41
4. Petrokita (PD) 4.00
5. Samba Da Favela (PD) 3.45
6. Nanigo (PD) 4.44
7. Santo (PD) 4.30
8. Yemenja (PD) 3.24
9. Maracatu (PD) 3.30
10. Coco (PD) 3.17
Albert LaGuerre, Antonio Rodrigues, Francisco Aguabella, Jean Marie Durand, Julito
Besabe Collazo (conga). Recording Supervisor: Katherine Dunham.
Released in 1955.
KATHERINE DUNHAM AND ENSEMBLE
AFROCARIBBEAN SONGS AND RHYTHMS
11. Ba-Tu-Ca-Da (Samba) (Stillman, Alfonso) 3.14
12. Solé Oh! (Invocation To The Sun) (PD) 3.03
13. Callate (PD) 3.03
14. Congo Mondong (PD) 2.32
15. Choucounne (PD) 3.06
16. Toitica La Negra (PD) 3.10
17. Aferincomon (Nanigo) (PD) 2.36
18. Nago (PD) 2.54
Katherine Dunham, Jean Léon Destiné (voc), LaRosa Estrada, Julio Mendez (vocals,
perc). Released in 1950.
Total Time 62.40
CD2
EMY DE PRADINES, HAITI DANSE CHORUS AND ORCHESTRA
VOODOO AUTHENTIC MUSIC AND RHYTHMS OF HAITI
1. Drums (Banda—Voodoo) (PD) 1.43
2. I Man Man Man (Dahomey—Voodoo) (PD) 1.38
3. Choucoune (Meringue—Romantic) (PD) 3.56
4. Negess Quartier Morin (Congo—Voodoo) (PD) 2.06
5. Erzulie (Invocation—Voodoo-Zepaul)
(PD) 5.25
6. Dodo Titit Maman (Lullaby—Popular) (PD) 2.41
7. Rasbodail Rhythm (Indian Infuence) (PD) 2.31
8. Azaou (Invocation—Voodoo) (PD) 4.12
9. Panamam Tombe (Congo—Popular) (PD) 2.49
10. Mreli, Mreli, Mandi (Mascaron—Voodoo) (PD) 1.58
Emy De Pradines (voc), The Haiti Danse Chorus, The Haiti Danse Orchestra
Recorded in Haiti.
Released in 1953.
VOODOO DRUMS VOODOO DRUMS IN HIFI
11. Contradanse : Avant Simple With Flute (PD) 2.51
12. Ti-Roro Drum Solo 1 (PD) 6.51
13. Ti-Joe Carabien (Ti-Marcel) (PD) 2.24
14. Merengue With Flute (PD) 2.48
15. Nan Point La Vie Encore Oh ! (PD) 2.59
16. Laissez Yo Di (PD) 2.51
17. Rara Ri s (PD) 4.53
18. Contradanse : Avant Simple With Accordion (PD) 3.11
19. Annonce Oh Zange Nan Dlo (PD) 2.30
20. Contradanse : Avant Simple & Merengue With Flute (PD) 2.46
21. La Misere Pa Douce ! (PD) 3.00
22. Ti-Roro Drum Solo 2 (PD) 3.03
Inorvia Simon, Renée Mirault (vocals), Germaine Thomas, Renée Mirault (backingvocals),
Ti-Roro, Ti-Marcel (drs), other artists unknown.
Recorded in Haiti 1958.
Total Time 69.30
CD3
ISSA EL SAIEH WITH TI RORO, TI MARCEL, TI RENÉ
HIFI HAITIAN DRUMS
1. Voodoo Drum Solo 3.06
2. Christiana [Rah Rah Rhythm] 2.50
3. Damballah [Petro Rhythm] 3.46
4. Télé A Hougan Voodoo Doctor) [Petro Rhythm] 2.35
5. Artibonite Oh [Mais Rhythm] 2.32
6. Moin Tende Youn Canon Qui Tire 3.04
(To Agwé Taroyo)
7. Main Diable La (Here Comes The Devil0[Rah Rah Rhythm] 2.56
8. Nous Rive [Yanvalou Rhythm] 2.51
9. Voyez Zin 2.43
10. Nou Bre [Petro Rhythm] 2.28
11. Gran Chemin M Te Ye [Congo Rhythm] 3.09
12. Lao Zao (To God Zao) 3.11
Guy De Rosier (vocals: 4), Ti Roro, Ti Marcel, Ti René (drs), Issa El Saieh (sax, leader).
Total Time 35.16
CD4
CHAINO
JUNGLE MATING RHYTHMS
1. Jungle Mating Call (Chaino, Kirby Allan) 1.02
2. Voodoo Love (Chaino, Kirby Allan) 3.31
3. Voodoo Trinidad (Chaino, Kirby Allan) 2.19
4. Lost Canyon (Chaino, Kirby Allan) 2.11
5. Love Chant Of The Mau Mau (Chaino, Kirby Allan) 3.02
6. Seduction Of The Virgin (Chaino, Kirby Allan) 3.29
7. Watussi (Chaino, Kirby Allan) 2.32
8. Rico Tico De Dongo (Chaino, Kirby Allan) 2.39
9. Mad Bongos (Chaino, Kirby Allan) 2.12
10. Voodoo Chant (Chaino, Kirby Allan) 3.17
11. Ora Ora A (Chaino, Kirby Allan) 3.03
12. Jungle Crazy Maze Bongo (Chaino, Kirby Allan) 2.10
Chaino (vocals, percussion).
Released in 1958.
CHAINO
JUNGLE ECHOES
13. The Jungle Chase (Chaino) 2.55
14. Torture Of The Mau Mau (Chaino) 2.17
15. Co-Gona Voodoo (Chaino) 3.10
16. The Feast Dance (Chaino) 2.45
17. The Limbo (Chaino) 3.21
18. Jungle Drum Variations (Chaino) 7.29
19. Cum-Ba-See (Chaino) 2.25
20. The Spear Dance (Chaino) 2.43
21. Safari Jungle Maze (Chaino) 2.22
Chaino (vocals, percussion), unknown drummers and voices.
Released in 1959.
Total Time 61.38
CD5
PEREZ PRADO, SHORTY ROGERS
VOODOO SUITE PLUS SIX ALLTIME GREATS
1. Voodoo Suite (D. Perez Prado) 23.11
2. St. James In rmary (Joe Primrose) 2.54
3. In The Mood (Joe Garland) 2.23
4. I Can‘t Get Started (I. Gershwin, V. Duke) 2.23
5. Jumping At The Woodside (Count Basie) 2.09
6. Stomping At The Savoy (Sampson, Webb, Goodman) 2.45
7. Music Makers (Lerner, James) 2.16
Track 1: Perez Prado (leader), Shorty Rodgers, Bill Regis, Maynard Fergusson, Walter Stuart,
Pete Candoli, Don Dennis (tp), Joe Colwin., Harry Betts, Milt Bernhart (tb), Tibor Shik
(french-horn), Bud Shank (as, fl), Stan Seckler (as), Bob Cooper (ts), Don Robinson (brs),
Don Tosti (b), Shelly Manne (drs), Eddie Gómez, Steve Valera, Carlos Vidal, Madesto Duran
(conga), Mile Pacheco, Ray Vasquez (bongos). Recorded in Hollywood, April 8, 1954.
Tracks 3, 5, 6, 7: Perez Prado (leader), Bill Regis, Rolf Erikson, Luis Valisan, Bill Castagnino (tp),
Jay Hill (tb), René Bloch (as), Willie Maden, Nash Maez (ts), Ray Vasquez (brs), Ed Guerrero
(b), Leo Acosta (drs), Roberto Casanova (conga), Juan Cheda (bongos). Recorded in
Hollywood, February 15, 1955.
Tracks 2 and 4: Perez Prado (leader), Bill Regis, Pete Candoli, Rolf Erikson, Luis Valisan, Bill
Castagnino (tp), Jay Hill (tb), René Bloch (as), Willie Maden, Nash Maez (ts), Ray Vasquez
(brs), Ed Guerrero (b), Leo Acosta (drs), Roberto Casanova (conga), Juan Cheda (bongos),
Alladin Pallaette, Robert Freda, Charles Bilek (violins). Recorded in Hollywood, February 18,
1955.
Total Time 38.02
CD6
TITO PUENTE
TAMBO
1. Dance Of The Headhunters (Tito Puente) 3.12
2. Call Of The Jungle Birds (Johnny Conquest) 2.27
3. Rumba-Timbales (Tito Puente) 2.14
4. The Ceremony Of Tambó (Tito Puente) 2.36
5. Velorio (Johnny Conquest) 2.12
6. Cuero Pelao (Tito Puente) 2.11
7. Jungle Holiday (Tito Puente) 2.24
8. Guaguanco (Tito Puente) 2.32
9. Ritual Drum Dance (Tito Puente) 3.27
10. Witch Doctor‘s Nightmare (Tito Puente) 2.38
11. Son Montuno (Tito Puente) 2.55
12. Voodoo Dance At Midnight (Tito Puente) 2.22
Tracks 3, 6, 8 & 11: Tito Puente (leader, arranger, timbales), Gilberto Lopez (p),
Bobby Rodriguez (b), Carlos „Patato“ Valdez, Ray Barretto (conga), Jose Mangual, Sr., Chickie
Perez (bongos), Santitos Colon (guiro).Recorded in N.Y.C., April 19, 1960.
Tracks 1, 4, 9 & 12: Tito Puente (leader, arranger, timbales, marimbas), Doc Sverinsen, Bernie
Glow, Ernie Royal, Pedro „Puchi“ Boulong, Jimmy Frisaura, pat Russo (tp),
Dsymor Berger (tb), Carlos „Patato“ Valdez, Ray Barretto (conga), Jose Mangual, Sr., Chickie
Perez (bongos), Wilie Rodriguez (drs), Bobby Rodriguez (b). Recorded in N.Y.C., April 20,
1960.
Tracks 2, 5, 7 & 10: Tito Puente (leader, arranger, timbales), Alberto Socarras (fl), Rafael
Palau (ts, fl), Peter Franelli (as, fl), Shepp Pullman (brs), ), Gilberto Lopez (p, arranger), Bobby
Rodriguez (b), Carlos „Patato“ Valdez, Ray Barretto, Catalino Rolon (conga), Jose Mangual,
Sr., Chickie Perez (bongos). Recorded in N.Y.C., April 21, 1960.
Total Time 31.12
CD7
DON RALKE AND BUDDY COLLETTE
BONGO MADNESS
1. Bembe Negro (Donald E. Ralke) 4.09
2. Pasion Caliente (Donald E. Ralke) 2.40
3. Ritmo Marteo (Donald E. Ralke) 3.54
4. Afro-Mambo Alegre (Donald E. Ralke) 1.45
5. Belleza Y Diablo (Donald E. Ralke) 4.14
6. Calypso Cubano (Donald E. Ralke) 2.27
7. Sesion Grande (Donald E. Ralke) 2.36
8. Noche In Havana (Donald E. Ralke) 3.29
9. Afro-Bop (Donald E. Ralke) 2.41
10. Mgombo (Donald E. Ralke) 3.09
Don Ralke (p), Buddy Collette (fl), Don Tosti (b), Jack Burger (bongos), Tom Wofford
(conga).
Released in 1957.
DON RALKE ORCHESTRA
THE SAVAGE AND THE SENSUOUS
11. Head Hunter (Donald E. Ralke) 2.59
12. Saoco (Ralke, Duran) 2.24
13. Ju-Ju Man (Donald E. Ralke) 2.29
14. The Mystery Of Yambuya (Donald E. Ralke) 3.10
15. Voodoo Priestess (Donald E. Ralke) 2.32
16. Face Beside The Fire (Donald E. Ralke) 2.49
17. Poison Dart (Donald E. Ralke) 3.42
18. Black Panther (Donald E. Ralke) 3.16
19. Zulu Magic (Donald E. Ralke) 1.55
20. Moon Goddess (Donald E. Ralke) 2.49
21. Ritual Of The Cobra (Donald E. Ralke) 2.57
22. Sacri ce Of The Maidens (Donald E. Ralke) 2.03
23 Safradesia (Donald E. Ralke) 3.25
24. Mombasa (Donald E. Ralke) 2.28
Don Ralke (leader, p), Carlos Vidal, Modesto Duran, Marcelino Valdes, Earl Palmer, Frank
Guerrero, Oswaldo DeOlivera, Milt Holland (percussion), others unknown.
Recorded in 1959.
Total Time 70.42
CD8
JOHNNY RICHARDS
THE RITES OF DIABLO
1. Omo Ado (Johnny Richards) 6.07
2. Kele Kele (Johnny Richards) 4.21
3. La Pecadora (Johnny Richards) 7.43
4. Ochun (Johnny Richards) 4.31
5. Oluo Anu (Johnny Richards) 6.58
6. Ofo (Johnny Richards) 5.10
Johnny Richards (leader, arranger, conductor).
Released in 1958.
RICHARD HAYMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA
VOODOO!
7. Danse Calinda (Ardan Clar) 2.17
8. Conjuration (Jim Tyler) 2.27
9. Spell Of Deatra (Ardan Clar) 2.23
10. Incantation (Sticks Evans) 3.46
11. Afro (Ardan Clar) 1.48
12. Zombi (Ardan Clar) 2.32
13. Voodoo (Ardan Clar) 2.59
14. Mamba (Jim Tyler) 1.57
15. Haiti (Ardan Clar) 2.52
16. Midnight Ritual (Ardan Clar) 3.55
17. Gris-Gris (Ardan Clar) 2.16
18. Invocation (Ardan Clar) 2.15
Richard Hayman (leader, arranger, conductor).
Released in 1959.
Total Time 66.36
CD9
JOSÉ BETANCOURT AND HIS ORCHESTRA, RICHARD CAMPBELL AND HARRY H. COON
BEAT TROPICALE
LATIN RHYTHMS
1. Inspiracion (José Betancourt) 2.12
2. La Cumparsa (José Betancourt) 3.11
3. Cactus Polka (José Betancourt) 2.01
4. Cha-Cha-Cha Flamenco (José Betancourt) 3.33
5. Jungle Flute (José Betancourt) 3.36
SAVAGE DRUM FANTASY
6. Savage Drum Fantasy: Watusi A.P.B.; Masai Rumble; Tumbatu Tintintambula;
Tombs Of Cameroon; Bantu Bounce; Kikuyu Strut; Mombassa Bombilation;
Nairobi Mambo; Ubangi Boom; Breezy Zambezi; Specter Of The Zulu Goddess;
Sumbawanga Rattatto; ... Also Authentic Indian Chants (Coon, Campbell) 14.32
José Betancourt (marimba) And His Orchestra (tracks 1-5),
Harry H. Coon, Richard Campbell (Track 6: drs), others unknown.
Released in 1958.
ARTHUR LYMAN TABOO THE EXOTIC SOUNDS OF ARTHUR LYMAN
7. Taboo (Lecuona) 4.43
8. Kalua (Darby) 2.13
9. Ringo Oiwake (Ozawa, Yoneyama) 3.14
10. Sea Breeze (Busch) 3.24
11. Misirlou (Roubanis) 2.57
12. China Clipper (Conrad) 2.22
13. Sim Sim (Baxter) 2.30
14. Katsumi Love Theme (Waxman) 3.05
15. Caravan (Ellington) 2.33
16 Akaka Falls (Parker) 2.26
17. Dahil Sayo (PD) 2.28
18. Hilo March (Peele) 2.28
Arthur Lyman (arranger, marimba, vibes, percussion), Paul Conrad (arranger), John Kramer
(b, ukulele, git , fl, cl, perc, voice:bird calls), Alan Soares (git, p, perc), Harold Chang (perc,
xylophone ).
Released in 1958.
Total Time 63.39
CD10
LES BAXTER AND HIS ORCHESTRA
LES BAXTER‘S JUNGLE JAZZ
1. Brazilia (Les Baxter) 2.04
2. Rain Forest (Les Baxter) 2.27
3. Papagayo (Les Baxter) 2.55
4. Amazon Falls (Les Baxter) 2.53
5. Coco (Les Baxter) 3.25
6. Carnival Merengue (Les Baxter) 2.55
7. Isle Of Cuba (Les Baxter) 3.20
8. Blue Jungle (Les Baxter) 3.16
9. Voodoo Dreams (Les Baxter) 3.02
10. One Thousand Cockatoos (Les Baxter) 2.30
11. Go Chango (Les Baxter) 3.15
12. Jungla Brava (Les Baxter) 2.26
Released in 1959.
LES BAXTER, HIS CHORUS AND ORCHESTRA
TAMBOO!
13. Simba (Les Baxter) 2.43
14. Oasis Of Dakhla (Les Baxter) 3.38
15. Maracaibo (Les Baxter) 2.54
16. Tehran (Les Baxter) 2.23
17. Pantan (Les Baxter) 2.28
18. Havana (Les Baxter) 3.05
19. Mozambique (Les Baxter) 4.10
20. Wotuka (Les Baxter) 2.23
21. Cuchibamba (Les Baxter) 2.17
22. Batumba (Les Baxter) 3.14
23. Rio (Les Baxter) 3.11
24. Zambezi (Les Baxter) 3.17
Released in 1955.
Total Time 70.21