Capturing the spirit of a musical heritage now nearly extinct, this album examines how music and medicine combined in the indigenous practice of witchcraft in a region whose musical traditions were then largely unknown to the rest of the world, where music took on the power of medicine and medicine was tied to the healing sound of drums.
Originally released in 1975 as Africa: Witchcraft & Ritual Music
In order to provide a historical context for this recording, the liner notes that accompanied its original release have been reprinted in full below. The text has not been edited to reflect changes in general cultural perceptions or specific factual information that may have occurred since then. —Ed.
In this recording, I have tried to capture the spirit of a musical heritage now nearly extinct. The music on this album comes from a part of East Africa whose musical traditions remain largely unknown to the rest of the world. Particularly fascinating is the manner in which music and medicine are combined in the indigenous practice of witchcraft; music takes on the power of medicine, and medicine becomes associated with the healing sound of drums, interwoven with beautiful threads of melody. —DAVID FANSHAWE, 1975
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Originally released in 1975 as Africa: Witchcraft & Ritual Music (H-72066).
Recorded in Kenya and Tanzania by David Fanshawe
Engineering: David Fanshawe, Adam Skeaping at Riverside Studios, London
Mastered by Robert C. Ludwig at Sterling Sound, Inc.
Coordinator: Theresa Sterne
Re-mastered by Robert C. Ludwig
Design: Doyle Partners
Photography: © Rene Burri/Magnum Photos
1984
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