Virgin Islands – Quelbe & Calypso (1956-1960)

The western Virgin Islands are American territory, but who has heard the astonishing music played by its inhabitants? The special sound of these songs is impregnated with voodoo and a direct link between Africa and America; with the help of Fabrice Uriac, Bruno Blum has compiled some rare recordings which miraculously sprang from this source lying between the British and Puerto Rican Virgin Islands, and this anthology reveals an original, often-ignored but irresistible aspect of American music from the middle of the Caribbean. Patrick FREMEAUX