Album Notes

Led by Madeleine Yayodale Nelson, Women of the Calabash's "The Kwanzaa Album," is a magnificent work of art. Combining traditional (most often hand-made) instruments, lyrically harmonic vocals, and music forms with contemporary influences, Women of the Calabash have enchanted audiences of all ages for 20 years. Performing music from Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and Black America. Formed in 1978, Madeleine Yayodele Nelson, Marsha Perry Starkes, and Mayra Casales combine percussion, informal dialog and different languages to create an authentic collection of music inspired by and based upon the ideals, stories, and history of the African-American holiday. There is so much history alive in this 16 track album. A song sung by enslaved Africans passed down through the generations, an anthem of the African National Congress since 1925 and a collaborative effort featuring the spectacular Free Voices of Praise Choir led by Darren Ross. An album that everyone should have in their collection.