Calypso Sound System

As the UK enjoys summer, as far as it can, it is clearly time for a reconnection with Trinidadian calypso. It's largely forgotten these days, but in the 1950s calypso experienced huge international popularity – not least via Harry Belafonte's million-selling calypso hits – and, in London, it gave the newly arrived West Indian community the opportunity to express themselves. These days Notting Hill Carnival is where you might – and only might – hear a calypso sound system. But in Trinidad, while overtaken by soca in popularity, calypso has never lost both performers and audience. With the recent release of Calypso Rose's excellent Manu Chao-produced album (see p46), it seems the wider world is ready to listen again. Calypso Sound System is a tasty introductory sampler to the joys of calypso, featuring 11 contemporary calypso recordings. This download-only album opens with Calypso Rose and follows with other Trini heroes of the last few decades: the late Merchant's ‘Um Ba Yao’ is a gorgeous, brass-heavy tune while Brother Valention's ‘Stay Up Zimbabwe’ recalls an era when Mugabe was seen as a hero. Track for track, it's a very strong compilation – nicely complementing Soul Jazz's excellent 2015 historic effort Calypso: Musical Poetry in the Caribbean 1955-69. Full of melody, wit and supple rhythm.