Exuma, the Obeah Man
August 31, 2017 7:23 PM   Subscribe

"I came down on a lightning bolt / nine months in my mama's belly. / When I was born, the midwife scream and shout / I had fire crystals coming out of my mouth. / I'm Exuma, I'm the Obeah Man!" Being an introduction to the unclassifiable Bahamian musician Exuma (1942-1997). Read a Downbeat Magazine profile from shortly after his death, or a slightly less easy on the eyes profile from Perfect Sound Forever. Or listen to some music after the jump.

Listen to the albums: Exuma (1970), Exuma II (1970), Do Wah Nanny (1971), Snake (1972). (Things kind of go downhill record-wise after that.) Watch him live on Soul! in 1972. Listen to Nina Simone cover one of his songs. Watch a very strange music video for "Exuma, the Obeah Man," or one for "Ballad of Atlantis."
posted by goatdog (10 comments total) 19 users marked this as a favorite
 
Mama Loi, Papa Loi is one of my favorite songs. Thanks for this!
posted by rewil at 8:13 PM on August 31, 2017 [2 favorites]


I found Exuma through my friend Justin Vivian Bond's cover of 22nd Century. Looking forward to listening to more. Thank you.
posted by gingerbeer at 8:49 PM on August 31, 2017 [1 favorite]


Man, I heard "Exuma the Obdeah Man" for the first time on that Nicky Siano's Legendary The Gallery comp on Soul Jazz some thirteen years ago. The song quickly became one of my favorites. And that comp was one of my go-to party records for years afterwards. Thanks for this post.
posted by thivaia at 9:53 PM on August 31, 2017


I came across the first Exuma album at a grade school rummage sale for 10 cents in
1972. I took it home expecting it to be a dud. boy was i surprised, I was dancing
around the house all day. It was a gem in disguise.
posted by quazichimp at 12:13 AM on September 1, 2017 [1 favorite]


I became obsessed with Nina Simone's version of "Dambala" and so tracked down Exuma. Ms. Simone's arrangement is spare and terrifying, but I came to love the original song even more. "Mama Loi, Papa Loi" still raises the hair on my neck!
posted by OrderOctopoda at 4:52 AM on September 1, 2017


How did I not know about him? Now I'm sad that I can never see him live. But this is great stuff, thank you!!!
posted by MexicanYenta at 6:48 AM on September 1, 2017


Came in to link to Mama Loi, Papa Loi, and find it's the first comment! Excellent.
posted by tzikeh at 7:28 AM on September 1, 2017 [1 favorite]


At first listen, he's almost certainly saying, "I had fire and brimstone coming out of my mouth."
posted by demonic winged headgear at 10:35 AM on September 1, 2017 [1 favorite]


You know what, I just copied and pasted it from PSF without really reading it. You're obviously right. Argh!
posted by goatdog at 1:28 PM on September 1, 2017


I was wondering! Fire crystals seemed like an odd phrase in the context.
posted by tavella at 1:40 PM on September 1, 2017


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