Toussaint Earl King Ronny Jordan Jerry Wexler Doc Watson and more . The sound of Haiti has long been entwined with the religious fury of Voodoo, historically linking slaves brought from the Fon of Benin to tumultuous present day life in Haiti. Voodoo describes a belief in good and evil spirits mixing African folklore elements, rituals and rhythms. These rites include singing, drumbeats and dances that call down the gods or loas from the voodoo pantheon.
Haitian musicians have to be careful to avoid political reprisals and censorship.
The outspoken singer-songwrter Manno Charlemagne has remained a key figure despite a lengthy forced exile. Also on Smithsonian though altogether earthier is Caribbean Revels - a collection of field recordings partly executed in Haitian cemeteries. Also of interest is Marc Ribot Plays Solo Guitar Works of Frantz Casseus very fluid compositions written between 1940-80 which comprise a national music for Haiti. There Productions , all rights reserved. Order music from the Root Store .