The Carolina Chocolate Drops are one of the few remaining African American old-time string bands in existence today. Hailing from Durham, North Carolina, this eclectic trio (Justin Robinson, Rhiannon Giddens, and Dom Flemons) all sing and
play a variety of instruments, creating their own unique, down-home sound. The trio has released five albums to date, their most recent release entitled Genuine Negro Jig (2010). I was a little unsure about the musical message being conveyed, but despite their appearance, their song titles and folk melody are reminscient of traditional string bands of African-American descent. They are a welcomed form of artistry, and I admire their ability to stay relevant in such an exclusive genre. Watch a review of their most recent album release below.
