Drummers of the Societe Absolument Guinin - Voodoo Drums (2001)

Unique collection containing authentic rhythms of Haitian Voodoo drumming. Recorded in Port-au-Prince, Haiti by Soul Jazz Records, this album features The Drummers of the Societe Absolument Guinen.

Voodoo is the African religion at the heart of Haitian life. The complex rhythms of the drums are used to bring down African spirits in Voodoo ceremonies. These drums are the link between the music of Africa and the Caribbean. With links to Cuban Santeria, Jamaican and Trinidadian Afro-religions, Voodoo rhythms are the heaviest, most intense of all. Soul Jazz Records.

REVIEWS

"Soul Jazz yet again come correct with the roots and culture. This amazing set of ritual breakbeats Haitian style has to be the most phenomenal, left field battle breaks album you could imagine. The rhythms used cause spirits to manifest themselves in the physical world, all powerful, some benevolent, others less so. Enjoyable and really quite mind expanding, this is recommended to anyone who thinks traditional music is not for them. Really unparallelled, both in terms of quality and the competition." Boomkat

"Haitian Voodoo is a religion of the new world that came about during the 16th century African slave trade. During their rituals they use drums to bring spirits down to the earth, faccilitating a possession of a worshipper by a specific spirit. Soul Jazz released these pristine recordings and I think it’s one of the best recordings of a drum ensemble I’ve ever heard. It documents the broad tonal range of these drums. I had to check the liner notes to make sure there wasn’t a bass guitar or synthesizer in the mix!" Type

"This record, which consists entirely of recordings of voudou drumming made in Port-Au-Prince, is one of a series of Soul Jazz releases exploring Haitian music, all of which are worth your attention. Nonetheless there's something about the intensity and virtuosity of this particular drums-based album that's particularly transportive. Beautifully recorded so each strike of each drum punches with all the force of an electronic dance music kickdrum, it captures the extraordinary complexity and sophistication of these ceremonial rhythms, which shift, interlock and switch angle of attack with a logic that's near-indecipherable as a listener unable to see visually how they unfold. These drum rituals are central to Haitian voudou, whose roots lie in closely related religions on the West Coast of Africa, and which originated in the 18th century when Haiti was a French slave colony. Their roles in ceremonies seem as complex and detailed as the rhythms themselves, involved in drawing participants together through the shared pulse of the beat and inciting spiritual possession. Yet their power to awe and mesmerise isn't dimmed through being relatively unfamiliar with the traditions that underlie them; these recordings are dynamic and riveting in their intricacy and power." Quietus

"I haven't heard anything quite like this; the rhythms are very deeply orchestrated yet it also sounds like improvisation. There are tonalities and textures coming from this album like I've never heard. A great album by Soul Jazz, it's very well recorded, the drums sound so warm and nuanced, a great representation of each drum in the mix. Some of the sounds I have no idea how they are getting them. I would love to see this group play! As a drummer, this album is bending my ear and setting off the dancing devils in my soul!! Unreal!" Guardian Guide

01 - Yanvalou
02 - Africanadou
03 - Rongol
04 - Zepol
05 - Dahome
06 - Congo
07 - Mai
08 - Parigol
09 - Contredance
10 - Afranchi
11 - Juba
12 - Petro
13 - Kita
14 - Boumba
15 - Koye
16 - Zepol
17 - Areyen
18 - Mas Karon
19 - Ibo