With roots deep in western Africa, voodoo spread to North America in the 19th century amongst the slaves and free black men living in the Creole plantations on the outskirts of New Orleans. Their great priestess was Marie Laveau, whose mojo skills and love-potions made her the emblem of a religion which became a “counter-culture”. As a reaction to the strict disciplines of American Protestantism, racism and segregation, voodoo – whether seen as a fantasy doorway to Africa or some sweet, erotic heresy – became an outlet for Afro-American musicians in search of their roots and identity. With detailed notes from Bruno Blum, these magnificent titles – blues, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, even calypso – express all of hoodoo’s sentiments: spirituality, power, virility, pride, sometimes fear, derision and humour. Patrick FRÉMEAUX