Exuma

clutnuckle · 10-17-2010, 08:05 PM

I'M EXUMAAA, I'M THE OBEAHHHH MAN...

I was seriously surprised not to find anything on this guy; I've seen some love for him for him around the forums, but I suppose nobody saw it fit to create a thread for him until now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

Macfarlane Gregory Anthony Mackey, who recorded as Exuma, was born in the early 1940s on Cat Island (Bahamas) to Ms. Daisy Mackie and died in Nassau in the Bahamas on January 25, 1997.

Exuma was known for his almost unclassifiable music; a strong mixture of carnival, junkanoo, calypso and ballad. In his early days in New York's Greenwich Village, Tony McKay (his self-given name) performed in small clubs and bars. Later, along with his then-partner and lifelong friend, Sally O'Brien, and several musician friends, Tony launched EXUMA - a 7-person group that toured and recorded albums, starting with Exuma: The Obeah Man in 1970 and ending with Rude Boy in 1986. His songs invoke influences from calypso, junkanoo, reggae, African and folk music with his lyrics dealing heavily with Obeah. His backing band known only as the Junk Band has included names such as Sally O'Brien, Bogie, Lord Wellington, Villy, Mildred Vaney, Frankie Gearing, Diana Claudia Bunea, and his good friend Peppy Castro.

His music is among other things, seriously optimistic and moving. Nothing quite propels me to do something with my life as much as something like "Exuma, The Obeah Man". Brilliant rhythms hang under his seriously anthemic voice, and the guitars are played with such confidence.

If I were to ever, EVER abandon the suburban lifestyle for something more natural and pure, I would immediately gather/create sheet music for each song on his self-titled album, create a band to play each part, create a bonfire along the beach, and play these songs all day long. Exuma's music is a lot like that; it influences you to live with such power that you almost want to abandon anything restraining you (WHO NEEDS AIR CONDITIONING... REALLY?).

Word.

Recommendations:

Exuma

Exuma II

I'm kind of sparse on his material myself, but I find his first album to be somewhat of a masterpiece. If anyone's more familiar with his work than let me know what you would recommend. I plan to acquire it all quite soon, but just for the sake of consistency...

~~James~~ · 10-17-2010, 08:08 PM

Two five star albums in my book. Exuma is one of the most interesting artists to have graced my ears.

zachsd · 12-04-2010, 01:31 AM

The only Exuma thread on this forum has one response, how disappointing.

Quote:

create a bonfire along the beach, and play these songs all day long. Exuma's music is a lot like that; it influences you to live with such power that you almost want to abandon anything restraining you (WHO NEEDS AIR CONDITIONING... REALLY?).

This is really funny, I had a very similar reaction when I first listened to Exuma. I immediately wanted to invite a bunch of friends over to my house, start a fire in my backyard, blast it on the stereo, take hallucinogenic drugs, and partake in some voodoo ritual. This album is so good that it it should be banned by the government.

But yeah, Exuma is amazing. I'm fairly new to him right now and have just been playing his first album. What do you think of his later stuff?

**Janszoon** · 12-04-2010, 07:30 AM

This is great stuff! I'm really going to have to check him out.

clutnuckle · 12-04-2010, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zachsd

The only Exuma thread on this forum has one response, how disappointing.

This is really funny, I had a very similar reaction when I first listened to Exuma. I immediately wanted to invite a bunch of friends over to my house, start a fire in my backyard, blast it on the stereo, take hallucinogenic drugs, and partake in some voodoo ritual. This album is so good that it it should be banned by the government.

But yeah, Exuma is amazing. I'm fairly new to him right now and have just been playing his first album. What do you think of his later stuff?

Exuma II is definitely a step down, but it's not as though you could except a second masterpiece from his right away. Also, it's still a great album so I wouldn't split hairs. I found it a lot less full and colorful (in terms of instrumentation), but I still loved the vocals.

His third album, Do Wah Nanny is a lot less mystifying, angular and effective. It's still very nice, as the instrumentation still sounds really cool to the ear. Nothing will ever move you like "Exuma the Obeah Man", though, and you're more than likely to be humming the melodies to these songs, rather than chanting them with excessive pride.

Besides, even if you hate them, you can always stare at the cover art!

gunnels · 12-05-2010, 12:45 AM

I only have his first self-titled, but it's pretty bitchin'. Dambala is chilling song.

12-04-2010, 07:30 AM	#4 (permalink)
Janszoon Mate, Spawn & Die Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Rapping Community Posts: 24,593	This is great stuff! I'm really going to have to check him out. __________________ A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man Time & Place 25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die last.fm

10-17-2010, 08:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
~~James~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Scotland Posts: 4,483	Two five star albums in my book. Exuma is one of the most interesting artists to have graced my ears.