LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

One of the strangest and most compelling records to emerge from the early 1970s, Exuma II was the second album by Bahamian musician, singer and visionary Exuma, born Tony McKay. Following his extraordinary self-titled debut, the album develops his unmistakable mixture of Bahamian folk tradition, psychedelic folk, ritual percussion, spiritual imagery and wildly expressive vocals.

The atmosphere moves effortlessly between hypnotic chants, earthy acoustic passages and explosive ensemble performances. Exuma's guitar, voice and percussion remain at the centre, surrounded by bells, congas, whistles and group vocals that give the music the feeling of an improvised ceremony rather than a conventional studio recording. Songs such as Baäl and Fire In The Hole are especially intense, while Damn Fool and A Place Called Earth reveal the more melodic side of his writing.

Recorded only months after his first album, Exuma II belongs to a world of its own: part psychedelic folk, part Caribbean roots music, part spiritual invocation and part protest song. A remarkable cult album and an essential companion to Exuma's celebrated debut.

Tracklist:

Side A
A1. Damn Fool
A2. Baäl
A3. Paul Simon Nontooth
A4. Fire In The Hole

Side B
B1. A Place Called Earth
B2. We Got To Go
B3. African Rhythm
B4. Zandoo