“This double-CD presents forty-two titles from calypso’s golden age, from pre-war favourites such as Wilmoth Houdini and King Radio to younger talents such as Lord Kitchener, a long-time UK resident whose ten titles were all recorded in London, and the still active Mighty Sparrow. The topics range from sex and romance to Russian satellites, rock and roll and be-bop, and racism – Kitchener’s unexpectedly serious ‘If You’re Not White, You’re Considered Black’.
There are a couple of items with steel-band accompaniment – oddly enough, both are sung by women – but most tracks feature a combination of saxophone, piano, guitar, bass, drums and various percussion. Each item here is fascinating in one way or another, and world music and Caribbean music lovers, as well as social historians, will find much to enjoy. Why, even Louis Farrakhan is here with his 1953 recording, ‘Female Boxer’.
By Norman DARWEN – ROCK ‘n REEL
There are a couple of items with steel-band accompaniment – oddly enough, both are sung by women – but most tracks feature a combination of saxophone, piano, guitar, bass, drums and various percussion. Each item here is fascinating in one way or another, and world music and Caribbean music lovers, as well as social historians, will find much to enjoy. Why, even Louis Farrakhan is here with his 1953 recording, ‘Female Boxer’.
By Norman DARWEN – ROCK ‘n REEL
