Rara and Gaga are basically the same thing -- vaudou-related Easter parade music using (traditionally) African-derived single-note shawms, and -- quite often these days -- trumpets and saxes as well as percussion. Gaga is distinct from rara to the extent that the Haitian minority in the Dominican Republic has developed its own traditions. Both branches are exuberantly documented here through street recordings of both traditional and trumpet-led examples. Joyous stuff from a beleaguered people. ~ John Storm Roberts