Silencing the Drum explores the role of sacred music in Afro-Brazilian religious traditions and provides detailed accounts of religious intolerance, particularly in relation to the drum. The book argues that unless Afro-Brazilian sacred music is protected from a rising wave of attacks, the effects on these important practices could be devastating.
Silencing the Drum includes a beautiful album of sacred Candomblé drum rhythms and songs recorded at Pracatum studio in Salvador, Bahia Brazil and features master drummer Totô Cruz with percussionists from bloco afro Ilê Aiyê under the musical direction of Mario Pam. Listen for free online. Foreword by Carlinhos Brown.
Silencing the Drum
Rebel Dance, Renegade Stance reveals a rarely discussed perspective on contemporary Cuban society during the 1990s, the peak decade of timba, and beyond. Simultaneously, the book reveals popular dance music in the context of a young and astutely educated Cuban generation of fierce and creative performers. This book is also my own coming of age story as a young Black man understanding his place in the African diaspora.
Rebel Dance, Renegade Stance
Carlos Aldama’s Life in Batá
This book recounts the life story of Carlos Aldama, one of the masters of the batá drum, and through that story traces the history of batá culture as it traveled from Africa to Cuba and then to the United States.
Carlos Aldama’s Life in Batá features a classic recording of Carlos Aldama playing Cuban batá drum rhythms in his inimitable old school Havana style. Umi accompanies Carlos with other drummers and serves as the Executive Producer. Listen for free online. Foreword by John Mason.