Various Artists-Calypsoul 70: Caribbean and Calypso Crossover 1969-1979

Calypsoul 70: Caribbean and Calypso Crossover 1969-1979

2008-09-15

The Caribbean is an incredibly diverse melting pot of cultures, and this collection of rare groove tracks shows not only the influence of various styles on Caribbean music (calypso, reggae, African, soul, and funk) but also the influence of Caribbean music on the world. Taking the listener on a non-stop island hop, the tracks go from steel pan rarities (#11 – Trinidad), third world social commentary (#5 by “rapso” pioneer Lancelot Lane), Latin dynamite (#13 – Martinique legend Marius Cultier), salsa (#3), and Afro Beat political jump ups (#17 ). There are also a couple disco fusion tracks that get funky and sweaty (#7 – St Lucia & 19). This collection captures the sound and the feel of the era, and every selection is worth a listen. It is funky, tropical, and some of the greatest calypso performers appear in rare form. – Tim Morgan