February, 2001

Greetings, Arhoolie friends and fans!
We have been pretty busy around here, as the media coverage of the 40th Anniversary Collection box set continues to generate interest in the label, the music, and, of course, Chris Strachwitz's amazing knack for finding sonic treasure in the various regions of North America (and beyond). The box set has received coverage in a rather astonishing variety of publications, from Folk Roots to Playboy, USA Today to Details. Recently an excellent review by Meredith Ochs on NPR's All Things Considered provided a surprise burst of sales and a flood of email.

* NEW RELEASE! Various Artists, Lamento Borincano (Puerto Rican Lament) A Tale of Two Cities: A Revolution in Puerto Rican Music (1916 - 1939)

As tempting as it is to bask in the success of the box set (and the El Cerrito sunshine), we are hard at work planning new releases. Coming on February 27th is Lamento Borincano (Puerto Rican Lament): A Tale of Two Cities: A Revolution in Puerto Rican Music (1916 - 1939) , a 2 CD collection of 50 cuts of early Puerto Rican music, accompanied by a 55-page booklet. The recordings were made between 1916 and 1939, during a period of intense activity in the Puerto Rican community in New York. The music is a mix of styles, from the more gentile European Danzas to the more energetic African influenced Plenas and Guarachas. All of the music has been painstakingly restored using state-of-the-art digital technology. For those who have been enjoying the renaissance of early Cuban music and would like to dig deeper into Hispano-Caribbean music, Lamento Borincano offers the languid, lilting melodies juxtaposed with the fiery tropical rhythms that have been taking the world by storm since the Buena Vista Social Club hit the scene. For more information on Lamento Borincano please go to its web page at www.arhoolie.com/titles/7037.shtml.

* NEW RELEASE! Various Artists, Sacred Steel VIDEO!

Also ready for February release is Sacred Steel, the first video of the history of the genre. Produced by the Arhoolie Foundation, Sacred Steel traced the history of the music through interviews, historic footage, and live performances. Noted folklorist Robert Stone, who first brought the genre to the attention of the outside world, directed Sacred Steel. The video is 55 minutes long and features a good mix of material, including scenes of actual House of God church services. For more information on the Sacred Steel video please go to www.arhoolie.com/titles/203v.shtml.

* NEW RELEASE! Various Artists, Train Don't Leave Me! The First Annual Sacred Steel Convention (CD Only)

In March, we are releasing Train Don't Leave Me! The First Annual Sacred Steel Convention CD. Featuring both the established masters of Sacred Steel as well as up and coming young players, Train Don't Leave Me! captures the excitement of live performances in a unique setting: the two-day Sacred Steel Convention in Winter Park, Florida. The musicians gathered to trade licks and ideas and to Praise the Music in performances, workshops and showcases.

* Sacred Steel News!

In related Sacred Steel news: Paul Simon (the pop singer) mentioned the Arhoolie Sacred Steel series in his year 2000 recap in Rolling Stone magazine, saying that they have been some of his favorite cd's of the year, singling out Sonny Treadway's Jesus Will Fix It! for particular praise.

From March 30 - 31 in Sanford, Florida, Sacred Steel players from both the Keith and Jewell Dominions of the House of God Church will meet at the Second Annual Sacred Steel Convention. To read all about it go to www.arhoolie.com/news/2001ssconvention.html.

* Other Arhoolie Releases!

Other Arhoolie releases for spring 2001 will include: blues singer J.C. Burris, El Conjunto Bernal (featuring Paulino Bernal), and a collection of early Banda Sinaloense recordings (exciting brass band music from the Northern Mexican state of Sinaloa). We will keep you posted as to actual street dates as we approach them.

If you have any questions about any of the new releases, any of the old releases, or any Arhoolie matter, feel free to drop us a line at mail@arhoolie.com. Also, be sure to check out our Artist Itinerary page www.arhoolie.com/itineraries/index.html and get out and listen to this great roots music when it comes to a town near you!

-The Arhoolie Staff