Exuma (1970 *Mercury SR 61265) Flac + 320

The debut record from righteous Afro-Bahamian songwriter Macfarlane Gregory Anthony Mackey, aka Exuma. His earliest work is an unreal melange of heavy folk dirges, pounding junkanoo ruckus, and the groaning incantations of mythically just, voudoun enlivened cataclysms of spiritual and material oppressions in our brave new world. Proper chant down Babylon vibes. Exuma's records have long been a staple of the countless hauntologically-minded and/or whateverly freak-folked RSS electroducts we've been privy too for years, now. I know I've dropped him here, before. Hot on the heels of GC's recent Exuma II drop, here's a lossless/320 upgrade, ripped by yours truly with the help of my friend DJ Cuica, who kindly lent it my way to share the love of this astounding record. Huge thanks! Full scans included. Enjoy.

Exuma -- Exuma (1970, Mercury SR 61265) 

Flac + 320

Side 1 

1. Exuma, The Obeah Man

2. Dambala

3. Mama Loi, Papa Loi

 Side 2 

1. Junkanoo

2. Seance In The Sixth Fret

3. You Don't Know What's Going On

4. The Vision

Exuma -- Exuma II (1970 *Mercury SR 61314) Flac + 320

"Exuma, the Obeah Man, was born in Cat Island, Bahamas and christened as Tony McKay; he grew up through Canaan Lane off Shirley Street, Nassau, Bahamas. Drawing on the traditional Bahamian folk songs, the infectious beat of Junkanoo, ring play, myths and linguistic idioma, Exuma, through his musical recordings, performances and paintings, has promoted Bahamian heritage and extended Bahamian music throughout the world moreso than any other contemporary Bahamian recording artist." (Nina Simone Database)

Righteous Afro-Bahamian songwriter Macfarlane Gregory Anthony Mackey, aka Exuma, sang it with depth. At times, he comes on like a man possessed, defiantly exorcising himself. His earliest work is an unreal melange of heavy folk dirges, pounding junkanoo ruckus, and the groaning incantations of mythically just, voudoun enlivened cataclysms of spiritual and material oppressions in our brave new world. Proper chant down Babylon vibes. Exuma's records have long been a staple of the countless hauntologically-minded and/or whateverly freak-folked RSS electroducts we've been privy too for years, now. I know I've dropped him here, before. This is my flac rip of Exuma II. Baal destroys me. Some contend that this record's uneven. Mayhaps its more of a for madmen only kind of thing. Nahmean? Anyway, I hope you enjoy it. Paz.

Exuma -- Exuma II (1970 *Mercury SR 61314)

Flac + 320

Side 1

1.  Damn Fool 
2.  Baal 
3.  Paul Simon Nontooth 
4.  Fire In The Hole 

Side 2
1.  A Place Called Earth 
2. We Got To Go 
3.  African Rhythm 
4.  Zandoo

Wendell Stuart & The Downbeaters (197x, Elite ER-1006)

A top-shelf serving of mellow early-70s Bahamaian soul. Wendell Stuart's tenor tremelos are heartworn and intoxicating. I'd say he's reminiscent of an early Johnny Nash. The backbeats are smoothly understated and Solomon Frazer's sonorous lead guitar bounces and strums in a pleasingly Ranglin-esque mode. Plenty of winners here, with a charming bossa-like rendition of Sandie Shaw's Always Something There to Remind Me (later a hit for Naked Eyes in 1982)...



...Stuart's version of Tom Paxton's The Last Thing on My Mind is also something else, but my real favorite might be this slowburning rendition of the Supreme's "My World Is Empty Without You", which was recently included on Trans Air's excellent West Indies Funk compilation:



Highly recommended. 320 vinyl rip by yours truly.

Download Link: Wendell Stuart & The Downbeaters (197x, Elite ER-1006)

A1 Jude
A2 My World Is Empty Without You
A3 The Last Thing On My Mind
A4 Island Woman
A5 Yellow Bird
B1 Always Something There To Remind Me
B2 Island In The Sun
B3 Shame And Scandle In The Family
B4 Delilah
B5 From The Moment To Moment
B6 Mary Ann