Haiti (1936-1937) Vol. 1: Treasures from the Lomax Archive

The recordings made by Alan Lomax in Haiti in 1936-37 (over 1,500 in total), although little known, constitute a priceless repository of Haitian expressive culture, recorded soon after the departure of the American Marines and while Haiti was in the throes of a nationalist and africentric movement.

In 1936, in the middle of scouring rural America for folk music that might have vanished forever if not for his efforts, ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax traipsed off to Haiti for four months with his 19-year-old fiancée and a 55-pound recording unit. The results are only now available for anyone to hear. "Haiti (1936-1937) Vol. 1 - Treasures from the Lomax Archive" brings together highlights from the 2011 GRAMMY nominated box set "Alan Lomax in Haiti" and traces how Mr. Lomax was out to document the music of everyday Haitians, in whatever form, and to hunt for the influence of African music, as he had in the U.S. From the most accessible sounds to the dance bands of Port-au-Prince, who had incorporated New Orleans jazz from records imported by occupying U.S. Marines, Lomax followed leads around the country, recording celebratory carnival songs, work songs, and eventually the music of officially forbidden Vodou (what is commonly known as voodoo) ceremonies.

Haiti (1936-1937) Vol. 1: Treasures from the Lomax Archive

Label: Lomax Archive

Cat. No: LMX004

Tags: Alan Lomax, The Haiti Recordings, Folk, Field Recordings, Traditional Music, Vernacular Music

Visit: https://lomaxarchive.bandcamp.com/
Source: Digital

1. Surprise Jazz - Instrumental Merengue 2:48
2. Sosyete Djouba - Elèn Kap Kriye, Bèt-La Anraje (Helene Is Crying, The Bug Is Angry) 3:04
3. Anonymous - Nan Semitye Pou M Antere Fanmi Mwen (In The Cemetery, I’ll Bury My Family) 1:13
4. Loumé Fréice - En Avant Simple 0:27
5. Ago's Bal Band - Mèsi, Papa Vensan (Thank You, Papa Vincent) 4:37
6.  Orchestre Granville Desronvil - Déus Blues 3:39
7. La Movinillère - Valse À Elle (A Waltz For Her) 2:37
8. Zora Neale Hurston - Bama, Bama 0:36
9. The Saul Polinice, Louis & Ciceron Marseille Group - Danabala Wèdo Tokan Koulèv (Danbala Wèdo, Sign of the Snake) 1:20
10. Francillia - Nou Tout Se Moún 1:53
11. Students of L’École Normal, Port-Au-Prince - M-Pral Fè Lago Ti Zongle (Ti Zongle, I’m Going To Play Hide And Seek) 1:43
12. Secondary Students of L’École Daumier, Port-Au-Prince - Ti Zwazo (Little Bird) 0:38
13. Ago's Bal Band - Kamèn Sa Wa Fè (Carmen, What Have You Done?) 3:04

14. Surprise Jazz - Mèsi, Papa Vensan (Thank You Papa Vincent) 1:42