Various - Kneelin' Down Inside The Gate: The Great Rhyming Singers Of The Bahamas
STYLE: World RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 18582- LABEL: Rounder 5035 FORMAT: CD Album
Reviewed by Tony May
Recorded by Peter K Siegel and Jody Stecher in 1965, mainly in Nassau, this unique harmonising served as roots for much rap and acappella singing around today. The 14 songs are almost all gospel and even when occasionally addressing other themes never stray far from religious matters. Rhyming group singing is deeply intense and dark, don't expect much by way of sweet ration, this is gruff, complex and powerful music. If you took this reviewer's previous advice to check out Joseph Spence And The Pinder Family then you'll already have a solid start. They have five tracks here, and the other outfits have a basically similar sound. Beauty is in the ear of the beholder. Some will find the roughage a shade tough, the careful listener will quickly pick up on a gut-level beauty that's totally compelling and special. Get yourself educated.
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