[Dixielandjazz] Mento (not the candy) muisc from Jamacia

[David M Richoux]

Hi all,

I was just introduced to this style of music via the Jugband Yahoo  
group - it appears to be a kind of string band  and has a very  
interesting beat to it! I can hear elements of what would develop  
into  Ska and Reggae, but it is not that simple a path.

This website has a lot of information: http://www.mentomusic.com/WhatIsMento.htm

and this video is worth a look:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqVW9Sx31-M

Anyway, yet another interesting sub-set of historical Afro-European  
improvised music !

Dave Richoux