Alan Lomax in Haiti Box Set

In the 1930s musicologist Alan Lomax went to Haiti on a recording mission. Armed with some wax cylinders and a notebook, Lomax had the practically impossible dream of documenting an entire culture's musical development, and he came pretty damn close, making over 1,500 recordings. This treasure trove had, until recently, been sitting in the Library of Congress collecting dust until a restoration project began.

Now we have a box set that includes some 287 songs on 10 cds from artists like Assasins (the killers) and Plaisance Boy Scout Troupe (Awesome). Included in the set is a transcription of many of the creole lyrics and field notes. Unfortunately it is not cheap (very few worthwhile things are!), but it is universally available thanks to Other Music's digital store.

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