Various Artists, Prairie Cajun Music (Acadiana)

Prairie Cajun Music comes from 1993. The CD craze still hadn’t caught on everywhere, at least not at Acadiana Sounds in Eunice, Louisiana. Many of the label’s early releases were cassette-only, which went the way of the dinosaur when car manufacturers made CD players standard equipment. Still, with everything heading to a digital-only format, many things could get lost in the shuffle, just as they did from vinyl to CDs. With this 10-song compilation featuring five Cajun prairie bands including his own, label honcho Fred Charlie attempts to preserve some of that legacy before it’s too late. Though it’s not perfect, it’s enjoyable and immeasurably heartfelt. The proceedings are delightfully primitive, which will undoubtedly interest enthusiasts seeking that unvarnished sound. Jason Frey and Rhythm Aces nail the best track with “Prairie Cajun Two Step,” but originals from the late Kenneth Thibodeaux, Charlie and J.C. Labbie are also solid. With this snapshot in hand, Charlie should continue culling the vault for those like Frey and Labbie, who haven’t been as prolific in the studio.