Well, another year, another trip around the sun and all that jazz. It’s been a gray and wet couple of months here in Oakland, and yes, California needs the rain, but it’s left me pining for some sun and fun. The ShellacHead Annual is usually a sample of records I’ve collected over the year, but this year I decided to take a musical sojourn to the Caribbean. Here’s a selection of 78s and 45s from my collection that showcase the great diversity and musical connections of one of the world’s most vibrant musical zones. 26 tracks from Jamaica, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Trinidad, Colombia, Honduras, Martinique, Curacao, and elsewhere. The first 200 downloads are free, or until the end of January, whichever comes first.

I hope it gives you a bit of warmth and musical sunshine during the depths of winter. Enjoy!