Exuma

clutnuckle · 10-17-2010, 07:05 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...