Opened by Zarathustra (First Show) and White Lightning (Second Show)

The Trib’s Mike Steele attempted to prepare Minneapolis for Exuma, nee Tony McKay, a/k/a the Obeah Man, in an article on August 9, 1970. Steele described him as

a strange mixture combining heavy, primitive rhythms, ecstatic use of drums, a pulsing Caribbean beat, electric instruments, and a rock vocal presentation that soon becomes primitive chants.

Exuma is originally from Cat Island, Bahamas, but he came to Greenwich Village in 1961. His first album was overseen by his friend and producer, Daddy Ya Ya, with backing by the Junk Band. …

Exuma denies a connection with voodoo, but many claim that the connection is there. Exuma says only that he writes his music during seances. His lyrics are heavy on zombies, dead men, ghosts, devils and angels.

It all sounds weird, but otherwise serious men who have spoken to Exuma believe it all. His record is curiously successful. His first live appearance here should be one of the more interesting events of the year.

Reviewer Dodd Lamberton described the band as a group that defies description.

Their music brings together primitive chants, moaning and wailing, and a large variety of rhythms and instruments, including a bass drum, congo drums, whistles, bells and tamborines. It has a refreshing freedom to it, as the members of the group do not seem to have prescribed notes to sing and play – each performance is different. Exuma sings the verses of each song and the rest of the group joins in on the choruses. … In both shows, they had the standing-room-only crowd clapping and dancing to the catchy Caribbean beat. “Obeah Man,” their best-known song, was their best offering.

Will Shapira’s review for the Insider expressed disappointment in the live performance in comparison to Exuma’s first record. He explains,

What goes on in a typical Exuma set is a series of exhortations and incantations to the dark gods of the nether world, shrieked and wailed by the hoarse-voiced Exuma over pulsating Afro-Cuban rhythms. It CAN get pretty exciting at times, but not often enough, I’m afraid. (Insider, August 29 – September 12, 1970)

Both Lamberton and Shapira had great things to say about local band Zarathustra, which was booked through August 21. Lamberton called the band “outstanding,” saying that Dick Hedlund on bass, Rick Dworsky on organ and Bobby Schnitzer on guitar are “unparalleled on the local scene.” Shapira said “There was excellent vocal, lead guitar and mouth harp work throughout the set and outstanding arrangement of a song called “White Bird.” It’s a Beautiful Zarathustra!