Exuma (album)


Exuma is the debut studio album by Bahamian folk musician Exuma. It was originally released in May 1970 on the Mercury label.

Background

In the early 1960s, Exuma had moved to Greenwich Village, New York and started playing guitar and singing in the cultivating folk rock scene developing in that area. After producer Bob Wyld came up to him offering a record deal, he chose to adopt "Exuma, the Obeah Man" as his name. The pseudonym draws from memories of Junkanoo festivals from his childhood.

Production

Wyld adopted the pseudonym "Daddy Ya Ya" and recruited a few musicians for the album, including Peppy Castro of the Blues Magoos. During recording sessions, Exuma would often turn off the lights and set up candles, recalling songs from his dreams. The album cover was painted by Exuma himself.

Release and reception

The album received positive reviews and moderate airplay at the time of its release. The opening track on the album, "Exuma, the Obeah Man", was released as a single.
In a retrospective review, Richie Unterberger of AllMusic wrote, "Exuma's debut album was a real odd piece of work...it's kind of like a combination of the Bahamian folk of Joseph Spence with early Dr. John at his most voodooed-out...It's a little surprising that this stuff hasn't undergone a sizable cult revival."
The album has been described not just as a folk record, but also as both psychedelic and experimental.

In popular culture

Nina Simone recorded covers of "Dambala" and "Exuma, the Obeah Man" on her 1974 record, It Is Finished.
“You Don’t Know What’s Going On” was featured in the 1970 nihilist comedy film Joe and was included on the film’s soundtrack.
"Exuma, the Obeah Man" was featured in the 2022 film Nope, with the song being featured on the film's soundtrack.

Personnel

Adapted from LP liner notes:
  • Exuma – lead vocals, guitar, bells, foot drum
  • Daddy Ya Ya – producer, vocals, bells, foot drum, "sacred sand"
  • Spy Boy Thielheim – backing vocals, triangle, cabasa, whistle, bells
  • Lord Wellington – congas
  • Frankie Gearing – backing vocals
  • Geraldine McBride – backing vocals
  • Mildred Vaney – backing vocals
  • Princess Diana – backing vocals
  • Sally O'Brien – backing vocals