"...WOMEN OF THE CALABASH...bring out a huge assortment of musical instruments from flutes
and drums to iron bells, bamboo tubes, gourds, steel drums, and railroad spikes. The variety of
enchanting melodies and beats that the WOMEN produce on these instruments will astound you. So
will their powerful, pure voices as they harmonize, defy, celebrate, tease, and ultimately pull the
audience out of their seats to pay tribute to the voices of South Africa, Brazil, Ghana, Nigeria,
Martinique -- and Mississippi, too."

"WOMEN OF THE CALABASH keep the flame alive. As these urban American women sing in the
various African languages and play instruments from all parts of the continent, their concert is about
reaching back in the pleasures of rediscovery and the renewal offered by traditional forms."

"...finely detailed music ...a performance marked by the blend of simplicity, warmth, delicacy, and
power that identifies the work of WOMEN OF THE CALABASH."

"WOMEN OF THE CALABASH pull off what they do with an almost primeval sense of grace and
ease...a three-women cultural phenomenon who talk and play and generally charm their way through
a combination percussion demonstration, African history lesson, and coolly understated political
message."

"Now for something completely different. Forget the tinsel and mistletoe and focus on a more substantial winter tradition: Kwanzaa.

The trio Women of the Calabash have enchanted audiences for two decades with traditional instruments and harmonic vocals. Their colorful spectrum includes music from Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and Black America. And now, finally, they present their debut recording, The Kwanzaa Album.

This compilation of tunes celebrates Kwanzaa, the non-religious African-American holiday that runs Dec. 26 to Jan. 1.

Each note is inspired by and based upon the ideals, stories and history of the holiday. Free-flowing spoken-word segments weave smoothly in and out throughout the disc and explain the main principles of Kwanzaa. The 16 cuts are threaded together with a variety of willowy and expressive moods, via percussion and various languages. Pretty impressive considering that every instrument and vocal (with the exception of one track) is performed by the trio alone. No backup band, no electrical outlets.

Empowering and entertaining, The Kwanzaa Album is an asset to any CDl ibrary, any time of the year."

"...the extraordinary WOMEN OF THE CALABASH!"

"WOMEN OF THE CALABASH sing traditional music of Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean with astounding, joyous vitality. The music of freedom has rarely before been given voice so simply, so gracefully, so ecstatically."

"Whenever they perform, they elicit an almost religious excitement..."