I used to be Seth from China. Since I wrote this nine years ago, I've had three grandchildren, and all of them have been been raised with lots of Etta Jenkins. SHe is so cool and never acts silly or condescending with kids, but always has the goods. A few years ago, the local Goodwills were full of her early stuff, and I was happy to get these great records for cheap. It's amazing to me what people decide to keep and to toss. I found her first ten inch record in a thrift store. It was made in the nineteen fifties and seems like it was designed for kids in segregated schools to learn about African rhyhtm. I've never seen anything quite like it before.
long live Etta Jenkins!
seth