Exuma (album)
Exuma is the self-titled debut studio album by Bahamian folk musician Exuma. It was originally released in May 1970 on the Mercury label. Background. In the early 1960s, Exuma (born Macfarlane Gregory Anthony Mackey) had moved to Greenwich Village, New York and started playing guitar and singing in the cultivating folk rock scene developing in that area. After producer Bob Wyld came up to him offering a record deal, he chose to adopt "Exuma, the Obeah Man" as his name. The pseudonym draws from memories of Junkanoo festivals from his childhood. Production. Wyld adopted the pseudonym "Daddy  Ya Ya" and recruited a few musicians for the album, including Peppy Castro of the Blues Magoos (who was credited under the pseudonym "Spy Boy Thielheim"). During recording sessions, Exuma would often turn off the lights and set up candles, recalling songs from his dreams. The album cover was painted by Exuma himself. Reception. The album received positive reviews and moderate airplay at the time of its release. In a retrospective review, Richie Unterberger wrote, "Exuma's debut album was a real odd piece of work...it's kind of like a combination of the Bahamian folk of Joseph Spence  with early Dr. John at his most voodooed-out...It's a little surprising that this stuff hasn't undergone a sizable cult revival." In popular culture. Nina Simone recorded a cover of "Dambala" on her 1974 record, "It Is Finished". Personnel. Adapted from LP liner notes: