Made In T&T

The St. James Youth Facility - Part III - by Liam Rezende

2010-04-04T21:50:00.001-04:00

So as I mentioned before in my last post, I spent hours ringing trying to track down the Project Manager at NIPDEC for the St. James Youth Facility. At about 4:20 in the afternoon I finally got through to her.
I spoke to her under the guise of a youth group wanting to host workshops at the St. James Youth Facility. I informed her that I had contacted the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs as well as the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago where I was told that the Facility still fell under the management of NIPDEC and that all questions pertaining to completion dates had to be directed to her.

In possibly the most disinterested and uncaring yet annoyed tone she began to talk about the project. She stated, “well we now get d WASA plans approve, so is only now we could have a constant flow of water to d propatee, and T&TEC still hasis to finalise ah few tings”. I asked her how come it was taking so long to complete and inquired as to how three and a half years after construction the utility plans were now being completed. She snapped, “Listen! I only reach on dis projeck January dis year so I doh know nutting before dat”. I questioned her as to the person who held the portfolio before her and she lamented, “sir I hasis no information he does not work here no more and d onlyist ting i know is he name is Jesse doh axe meh nuttin else bout dat.”

In realising the building up of frustration in her voice I jumped right back talking about what my “youth group” does and why we needed to get the building.

She simmered down a bit and said that the project is near completion and she was hoping that it would be handed over to the Ministry by the end of April this year. She also stated that she had a few documents to process and she had to complete the processing before the end of the week. I queried her hesitance in giving me the completion date by asking what may delay the documents from being processed. She simply ended the conversation by informing me that if the documents were not completed this week they would have to wait until she gets back from her SIX WEEK vacation which starts on Monday 29th March. In complete shock by her flippant attitude to the project I thanked her and told her to enjoy her well deserved six week vacation.

Now after going through that entire scenario I’m sure one will understand my befuddlement as to how a people, a company and a government can be so lackadaisical when it comes to a multi–million dollar project and its complete lack of monitoring, accountability and transparency.

Thirsting for more, I decided to contact a friend of mine that is employed by the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs and is a senior manager of another sporting facility. It was the information that I got from this individual that really had me blown away and I hope everyone understands the gravity of this matter.

I was told that apparently the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs has hired 4 members of staff for the St. James Youth Facility already and they have been receiving a salary since FEBRUARY 2009. These positions include a Manager receiving monthly $7500 plus $1000 travel allowance and 10% duty allowance of $750 amounting to a total of $9250.00, an Assistant Manager receiving monthly $6400 plus $750 travel allowance amounting to a total $7150.00 and two clerical staff each receiving a monthly salary of $3500. Now if this is correct and my Grade Two in CXC Mathematics means anything, by my estimation the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs by extension the Government by extension the TAX Payers by extension the people of Trinidad and Tobago have paid a whopping $304,200.00 in salaries to staff of an incomplete and unused St. James Youth Facility.

Mind you, my conversation with my friend is not over yet. I have also been informed that when the Woodbrook Youth Facility was handed over to the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago from the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs last month. The Ministry went in and removed their desks, chairs, computers, filing cabinets and anything else that “belonged“ to them, then travelled the country looking for storage space to put away these items in other sporting facilities to be locked away and collect dust. The Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago who reports to the Ministry of Finance and not the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs then approached Cabinet and was approved funds to purchase desks, chairs, computers and filing cabinets for the Woodbrook Youth Facility. Well if that’s not a wanton wastage of taxpayers’ dollars I don’t know what is!

My investigations are on-going and I encourage everyone to be strong and not fear victimization when it comes to exposing the in-efficiencies, in-competencies and in-effectiveness of any Government, any businesses, any NGO’s or any individuals. We must treat this cancerous disease of corruption that has infiltrated and become an integral part of our society. You can call me unpatriotic, a cynic, anti-government, ungrateful, a detractor or any derivation of the sort but I know what the people of Trinidad and Tobago deserve as opposed to what they are being served and I will continue to fight for honesty, justice, fairness, equity, accountability and transparency.

St. James Youth Facility - Part II - by Liam Rezende

2010-04-04T21:49:00.001-04:00

I have begun a full scale investigation into the construction of the St. James Youth Facility. I am by no means an investigative journalist nor do I pretend to have the qualifications. I am simply a concerned citizen of Trinidad and Tobago that is begging for transparency, consultation, accountability, monitoring and evaluation. By doing this series I'm hoping someone with the right tools, resources and avenues can pick up my story.

As my "investigations" continue I've realised there is so much more in the mortar than in the pestle. I feel as though I'm pulling a root out of the ground and I can't seem to get to the end, yet the root gets darker and dirtier the more I pull.

So I've been reliably informed that the suspicions of Chinese tenants at the St. James Youth Facility are all true. I have been told that the Chinese living in the Facility are all workers on the project and that it's a norm for them to live on the site they work at. (I for one never knew that was a norm).

So as I mentioned in Part 1, while passing the facility last night I was invited by the two community persons that were in a meeting discussing the Youth facility. My friend and I happily joined the meeting as they both began explaining to us the many trials and tribulations they have gone through in the past to develop and enhance their community as well as moves to get answers on the Youth facility that remains closed.

Allow me to digress for one second to explain to you the space where this meeting was being conducted. I sat in an utter state of depression. The "panyard" which has been functioning as the community center since they lost the last one four years ago to clear space for the new and improved Youth facility was nothing short of melancholic. It was dismal yet full of potential. The bathrooms weren’t tiled and looked horrendous, the kitchen cupboards were falling apart exposing the cut sweet drink bottles being used as bowls and cups, the wrought iron gates to the office and pan storage room were rusting and a few dusty, old and out-dated musical instruments were scattered throughout the room. Yet to the back of the room was a colourful mural done by a girl as a gift to the community space who we learned was from the community and had gone on to do her doctorate.

I was amazed to see the home of the St. James Tripolians who have won a plethora of awards at several local festivals and represented Trinidad and Tobago not only regionally and internationally but was also the first steel drum band to have ever performed at The Great American Brass Band Festival.
The only support they have ever gotten from the Government was a new roof that was installed when the Government needed the space as a polling station for General Elections. To me it showed a complete disregard to not only our National instrument but a complete neglect of our history and culture.
Anyway, apologies for the side note.

So we sat there asking questions about the Youth facility. From what we understand there was one “consultation” and it was the furthest thing from listening to the people as the community person described the meeting as the Ministry shoving plans down their throats and saying this is what has been designed and this is what will be built. He lamented that they were never given an opportunity to have input into what they would like to see in the Facility.

Having been in the building, they have now decided to rally support from the members of the community by printing letters inviting them to discuss what can be done with the completed rooms. Unfortunately, the community has not been as successful as the Artists Coalition to compile the flaws of the Youth Facility as well as the way forward in an analytical palatable document to produce to the Ministry. Another thing affecting the committee is the lack of information from any Government body as it pertains to the management of the facility.

As you would have read in Part 1 , I, myself found it difficult to get any information from the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs as well as the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago as to who is responsible for the building. After making a few more calls today I have been informed by an employee at the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs who refused to give me her name because she found I was asking too many questions, stated that they were not in charge of the Facility and she heard that they had just paid some bill and there was no furniture so it may open next year, she then got very angry and stated that the Facility is still under the National Insurance Property Development Company (NIPDEC ), a privately owned state company, and has not yet been handed over to the Ministry, I simply thanked her and asked her to transfer me to someone who could assist me further. She angrily transferred me to the Youth Affairs division and I told the person that answered the phone that I forgot the name of the person that just transferred the call to her and the person answering being ignorant to the conversation I just had gave me her name, position and department. :)

So I thought great another lead. My obvious step was to contact NIPDEC. After making over seven calls and leaving three messages I finally had the privilege of speaking with the Project Coordinator in charge of the St. James Youth Facility.

My conversation with the Project Coordinator led me to another tip where I became flabbergasted and appalled as to how truly horrific and convoluted this scandal goes.

What's Happening with The St. James Youth Facility? - Part I - by Liam Rezende

2010-03-23T07:58:00.004-04:00

This is a piece by a friend, who decided to try to get some information on the still incomplete St. James Youth Facility. There will be a second part to follow with full details of his findings.

I have begun a full scale investigation into the construction of the St. James Youth Facility. I am by no means an investigative journalist nor do I pretend to have the qualifications. I am simply a concerned citizen of Trinidad and Tobago that is begging for transparency, consultation, accountability, monitoring and evaluation. By doing this series I'm hoping someone with the right tools, resources and avenues can pick up my story.

Over the past few weeks we have heard numerous allegations towards UDECOTT, the Ministry and Minister of Culture, Community Development and Gender Affairs and by extension the Government as it relates to the National Academy of Performing Arts.

Unfortunately, after reading several of the reports released by the Artists Coalition of Trinidad and Tobago on the flaws of the construction of NAPA, I regret to inform you that I believe the St. James Youth Facility has a similar story, possibly worse.

The (St. James Youth Facility) SJYF was first mentioned by the former Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Mr. Roger Boynes in October 2004 costing us a whopping 34.4 MILLION. When driving pass the facility one can clearly see a billboard that states the contractors, managers and the start date of September 2006. As of today March, 2010 the St. James Youth Facility remains incomplete and closed to the public.

One can see that judging from the exterior the building looks near completed but still has galvanize, scaffolding and construction sand strewn throughout the premises.

Today, was an interesting day. I called the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs seeking answers as to why the building which started in 2006 is not yet completed. Which is six months short of four years. After being transferred back and forth and not actually being able to get any answers by anyone and this is after speaking with persons from the Youth Affairs, Public Relations and Accounting departments. Everyone including a representative in Youth Affairs was not even aware that there was a St James Youth Facility.

After futile attempts at getting any headway in the Ministry I called the Woodbrook Youth Facility hoping they may have information on the St. James Facility. I spoke with what seemed to be a very courteous young man who informed me that he was not aware of any St. James Youth Facility but stated that all Facilities fall under the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago. He was also helpful enough to give me a number for the company.

I called (SPORTT) requesting information on the facility I was transfered to the Health, Safety, Security and Environment department of the company as the operator informed me that they will best be able to assist.

After posing as a member of a youth group wanting information on the Facility. The Assistant Manager of the HSSE department stated that she was also not aware of any St James Youth Facility. I began to explain it's location and she then remembered and stated that that does not fall under the Sport Company that still falls under the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs.

So as expected typical government office finger- pointing took place as the majority of persons in both government offices knew next to nothing about the Facility far less who was responsible for it.

Now I posted as my status on Facebook that I was beginning an investigation into the Facility hoping that anyone with information would share. One Facebook friend commented stating that there are Chinese workers living there. Now with all the allegations being bandied about Chinese workers in Trinidad and Tobago I merely shook it off as sarcasm and humour.

Tonight, a friend and I decided to take a drive up to the Facility just to see close up and first hand how behind schedule the facility may actually be. As we slowly drove passed we noticed a SUV parked up in the car park of the Facility and we also noticed just opposite two individuals sitting in what seemed to be a condemned pan yard.

I poked my head out of the car inquiring about the facility, they then eagerly without hesitation called us in to chat. Ironically these two community persons were discussing the Youth facility itself.

In my next note I would enlighten you as to the shocking revelations that proved our worst nightmares a reality. Lets just say that supposedly humorous sarcastic comments below my status are not to be taken lightly!

Demerara (Mikhail Salcedo) - Blue Culture at Fiesta Plaza

2010-03-20T13:39:00.002-04:00

Understanding the 1970 Revolution by Tony Fraser

2010-03-19T02:12:00.001-04:00

The French, American and Haitian Revolutions are staple elements of history courses at secondary and tertiary-level education institutions; and rightly so as they mark significant epochs in the history of modern man.
But what of the 1970 Black Power Revolution which took place here in T&T and the Carib-bean? Unfortunately, there is little on the syllabi of our own secondary and tertiary-level institutions to put into perspective the circumstances of 1970. What were the objectives of the National Joint Action Committee, the institutions and individuals who led the revolution, and what were the consequences thereafter? Yes, 40 years is a short time period in historical development and perhaps 100 years from now 1970 would be studied by academic historians and researchers. But can the society wait for a thorough understanding of this important period of time given its present seeming waywardness, unconsciousness and disinterest in self, suffering from the same old self-depreciating complex bred by colonialism, slavery and indentureship? There is little knowledge of 1970 by the generations after the period. An oil boom, a gas boom, easy money, the politics of polarisation, groundless political leaders interested only in self and party have conspired to largely eliminate the consciousness that was initiated by a generation that found that political independence had left untouched a desire for self-knowledge and actualisation.
In the 1970 epoch, the youth in the urban towns were reading Eldridge Cleaver, Malcolm X, Franz Fanon and seriously reflecting on the Little Red Book. Then there were the “groundings” with Walter Rodney and the New World Group preaching a re-orientation of West Indian society. Sections of today’s generation of young men and women are occupied with automatic weapons, cocaine, bling and gang warfare. So too has the violence of dub music with its focus beneath the waistline become predominant. To begin the understanding of 1970 would be to appreciate that having had a national government come into office in the 1950s, and having achieved political independence in the early 1960s, the economy remained foreign owned and dependent. Beyond the continuing reliance on sugar and oil as the major exports of the economy, the local economy, the onshore sector, according to Lloyd Best, was still the preserve of the new plantation class. Moreover, the colonial order with all its social privileges had not changed. As the study on employment practices in the private sector would show in the wake of 1970, the managerial and professional jobs were the preserve of those who had been historically in power since abolition and the end of indentureship. Educational opportunity was still dispensed, in large measure, on the basis of skin colour and ethnicity; the social clubs prevailed; Shanty Town and Windsor Park in California housed “the wretched of the earth,” and 45-pound chains were the continuing yoke of old frail men and women in the sugar fields of Tate and Lyle.
Suspicion between the two dispossessed ethnic groups was being promoted in the interest of party politics by political leaders whose main ambition was to win office and retain it. The established churches still sought to retain colonial privileges, the hierarchy solidly in place. Trade unionist Clive Nunez makes the point that government repression of the union voice, much like what happened in the 1930s in oil and sugar, forced the movement to attach itself to Black Power. In the US, the Civil Rights Movement had taken on the establishment; to be followed by the more militant Black Power alignment. That a Trinidadian, Stokely Carmichael, was in the front of the protestations inspired and stimulated the pulse in Port-of-Spain. The trigger to the demonstrations and protest happened to be the provocative and racist acts at the Sir George Williams University in Canada, but it could have been any one of the hangovers from colonialism. Having retrieved the power at the point of a gun and with the promised assistance of the US, the Williams Government rounded-up and incarcerated the leaders on Nelson Island in a manner that had been done in 1937 by the colonial government. As CLR James had said, Carib-bean leaders knew that to raise the American red flag by identifying “communist and subversive elements” was a sure way to receive assistance from Washington.
But Williams was also politically wise enough to know that he had also to attempt to finally do something about the old order to come to terms with the call of the revolution. Nationalisation of the energy sector followed; the National Commercial Bank was created and Williams influenced into being the localisation of parts of the financial sector. Williams instituted too a study on employment practices in the private sector against the reality that there continued to be discrimination there. But those attempts at political and economic transformation apart, the real revolution was reflected in the culture. Calypsonian Duke had declared that Black is Beautiful, the Jaycees Carnival Queen show which established beauty as being white, after declaring a brown-skinned queen went out of existence. A plethora of calypsoes around the subject of self-identification by blacks were sung. Calypsonians such as Stalin and Valentino took on the establishment in a manner not known before. In the previous era Sparrow, enraptured by Williams and nationalism, had sung Leave de Damn Doctor. Now Stalin threatened Mr Divider that it is “man talking to man” and he, like the social upper-crust, had to share in the oil bread.
In the decade of the 1970s, calypsonians moved out of the two-calypso syndrome during the tent season and began performing in concerts, reproducing the wealth of calypsoes over the decades. Seen through a new perspective, one created by NJAC’s Black Traditions in Art, these cultural products of the previous decades had value. The bards themselves began challenging the “right” of the local radio stations to drop calypso, steelband and indigenous music off the play list the day after Carnival ended. Prof Gordon Rohlehr is right, we do not know what came out of 1970. The objective of this column is to stimulate the awareness of young people to go after the information and bring their own analysis to the consequences of 1970.

Still Untitled

2010-03-18T01:53:00.003-04:00

A song still to be named... performance at Jazz Under the Trees, UWI, St. Augustine, Trinidad.
VIDEO: Ming

Blue Culture at La Casa de Ibiza

2010-02-25T01:06:00.000-04:00

Blue Culture will be playing an exciting set on Tuesday at La Casa de Ibiza, come dong and enjoy the vibes!

The JAM-IT Show

2010-02-18T13:59:00.000-04:00

This is by no means intended as a comprehensive review, it's just a little of my take on the show

If you missed 3Canal's The JAM-IT! show, you missed the best production of Trinbago Carnival 2010. The show, featured the Jouvert and Canboulay stories, told in a new, fresh way, while holding a mirror up to the society and making humorous, yet serious commentary on the many issues that consume the nation's collective psyche.

The patrons were aptly warned, “10,000 jammets comin dong,” and “the show contained strong, not obscene language”. 3Canal presented a critical, yet humorous commentary on today's social and political happenings, blended into the Jouvert and Canboulay stories, featuring new and familiar faces.

It was all-round entertainment. For those that are seasoned, 3Canal supporters, it was another quality production, while many 3Canal show first-timers were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the production and got a bonus of a belly-full of laughs.

There was a little picong for everybody - T&T politicians, the young people entranced by Jamaican dancehall culture, the da-da heads, artists and “activists of the environmental persuasion.”
The cast of the “The Emperor's Bacchanal Show”, the focus of the second act, included the special guest “artiste-es” Maximus Dan, Shaft and Ataklan, who provided quality musical entertainment for the queen, who was invigorated by the music and the wine.

The show is a clear indication that quality productions can still come out of Trinidad and is an example of truly Caribbean and Trinidadian musical theatre at its best. The all-round nature of the show is a reflection of the many traditions and 'schools' that have shaped the 3Canal philosophy. Some of the cast members may not even be fully aware of all the historical and cultural references in the work and what they represent in the Carnival heritage, but the creative direction definitely showed the influence of the theatre of Derek Walcott and the TTTW, the music of Lancelot Layne, Resistance, Andre Tanker and Kalinda singers of the bois circles and yards, the mas making of Minshall, Bailey, Morris, the robber talk of Honore.

The first act showed 3Canal's respect for the events of the 1881 Canboulay riots and the importance of understanding the Jouvert history, so intrinsic in 3Canal's annual production and mas, which seems to be lost on many Jouvert bands. What is also special is that through the production, the Canboulay and Jouvert history is always recreated and given new life and currency in 3Canal presentations.

The entire cast was involved, from the musicians, with their antics, paying tribute to the “Big Sawati” guest on her arrival, to the acting, which was strong in all the major characters, although it was sometimes difficult to hear a few lines while the audience laughed, some of the lines could have been delayed a little longer. Marlon deBique's character and portrayal of “de boss” was particularly entertaining and strong, from the haircut to the mannerisms and voice.

The set and layout was somewhat jumbled with the band, props and actors, as there was not much depth on stage, which caused a bit of confusion, the audience not knowing who or what to focus on sometimes, therefore missing some cast interactions. Even though the lighting was superb, more spotlighting could have guided the viewing a bit more.

Even though the band was extremely tight as usual, the house mixing made listening to the colours and interaction among the musicians and lyrics a little challenging, especially for those hearing the material for the first time. The engineers got it sorted out and the mixing got better throughout the running of the show.

All in all, it was another high-quality show from 3Canal and the Cut + Clear Crew, highly entertaining, yet informative, a work well-executed.

Blue Culture at Fiesta Plaza

2010-01-28T22:32:00.000-04:00

Folks, Blue Culture will be performing at Fiesta Plaza, Movie Towne, Invaders' Bay on Saturday night from 8:30. Hope to see you all there. Look out for a multimedia diary leading up to the show!

What I have been listening to

2010-01-24T19:40:00.000-04:00

Well just thought I would like to share what I am listening to in heavy rotation these days.
I am still listening my way through my Christmas CD purchases gifts and borrows, among them Klassic Kitchener, Volume I. I am a big Kitchener fan, so I'm always listening to his music. Also in heavy rotation is Stevie Wonder's, Definitive Collection; I am really hooked on Do I Do, especially the bassline. I am also listening to A Time 2 Love, Stevie's 2005 album, which sounds has a lot of classic Stevie phrasing, with modern instrumentation. Also listening to Michael Jackson's Off The Wall Special Edition, I really love the demos and the interviews! I must say, I am disappointed in John Mayer's Battle Studies, not sure exactly why as yet, but I will continue to listen to it and maybe it might grow on me. These along with a few others and of course, a rotation of soca on the radio, which this year, even though I love soca, seems a bit harder than usual to stomach, or ear, but that is another post!

Back

2010-01-24T19:39:00.001-04:00

Ok, so it has been a while since i have updated my blog, but I will try to post things a little more frequently from now.

RE: Groove - Simon's Groove

2009-08-11T00:33:00.000-04:00

An original, composed by Jabari Fraser

Blue Culture at The Corner Bar by Guru Kast

2009-08-11T00:20:00.000-04:00

My take: Blue Culture at The Corner Bar

2009-08-11T00:00:00.001-04:00

JABARI FRASER

Playing with Blue Culture is always pleasurable. It is always an enjoyable and learning experience to play and associate with musicians of such talent. The laughs, antics and lime before, during and after any performance make it all the sweeter.The gig at the Corner Bar on Tuesday August 4, was a challenging one for me, being the least experienced and qualified member of the band.Last minute additions and cuts to the set list and the minimal practice-time ensured that I was at my best to keep up with my more-travelled band members and guest musicians.

The large crowd was indicative of both the name the Band is making for itself on the local music circuit and the aggressive internet promotion of the performance.

The set included a poetic opening from poet Muhammad Muwakil, and to my pleasure and that of my band-mates, he warned the members of the audience that they might be too bazodee to make their way home after the performance. Following Muwakil's warning was Karl's NuJazz' Zone'. We also played Karl's latin/kaiso-jazz 'Westbound', and the Go Go/Kaiso 'Blue Friday'.

Blue Culture's ska version of Gershwin's 'Summertime' wet down very well with the audience, especially with Anthony's super-smooth sax solo. The funky 'All About Groove/Bunkin', composed by Mikhail is always a crowd favourtie.

I must say I was extremely pleased with the performance of my original, RE: Groove, especially the Simon's solo, in an electric synthesizer tone, which really did justice to the meaning of the title of the song - R(Rapso) E(electric) & RE: regarding Groove.

The audience got a really special treat as we played Michael Jackson's 'The Girl Is Mine', joined by Etienne Charles on trumpet. I just played in awe as Etienne and Mikhail duelled on trumpet and pan with amazing, precise runs to the thrill of the audience. They competed for the audience's attention just as Jackson and Sir Paul McCartney competed for the girl in the original record.

We closed the set with a new arrangement to Mongo Santamaria's 'Afro Blue', which still included the signature Blue Culture call at the top and throughout. Etienne was back, this time on the congas, while Modupe went mobile, joyfully tossing and shaking his shekere. There was also a trumpeter whose name I don't know up to now, trading with Anthony and Mikhail.

The appreciation and love of the crowd that we all received after the show was really rewarding. I felt especially satisfied as most of my close friends were in attendance and even my parents and aunts came to the show!

I felt the same way I feel after every performance, lucky privileged and extremely grateful for the opportunities that I've had since joining the band in October 2008(my first major musical assignment), especially being the youngest member of the band.

University of Calypso

2009-07-28T22:42:00.000-04:00

http://andynarell.net/calypso/index.html

JABARI FRASER

University of Calypso, the Andy Narell and Willard Harris (Relator) collaboration, really takes the music, a rich mixture of vintage calypso, jazz and steelpan to the high, academic level that the title implies.
The album sounds like recorded sessions of intense musical fun, featuring a highly-skilled group of musicians including Paquito D’rivera and Andy Narell and the walking calypso songbook, Lord Relator.
Opening with the cricket calypso, Gavaskar,
Relator makes these calypso classics his, with crystal clear diction and clever skipping over the sometimes tricky rhymes in his own compositions. His rhythmic guitar work, along with that of the cuatro, add a traditional sound to the tracks.
Narell's lines and licks decorate the pieces with his very Caribbean style on the doubles.
Half of the cuts on the CD come from Lord Kitchener's extensive song book. Highlighting the importance of the Grandmaster’s contribution to the calypso catalogue and also his influence on the music produced during the Golden Era of calypso. His influence as a genuine jazz musician is evident in his composition, Pan in Harmony, an instrumental track featuring Narell and D’rivera, showing off their endless, sweet runs on the pan and clarinet.
The interpretations of Pan in Harmony, My Pussin, Peddlars and Steelband Music, make clear the melodic and harmonic intricacies of calypso music.
All of the musicians bring life to the pieces in very different ways. The classy, percussive intervention and phrasing add colour to the music. While the piano gives each track its flavour and hints of different styles being fused with the Kaiso Jazz.
The bass playing is effective and efficient, holding the rhythm section together and doing the ever-important job of spelling the dominant and augmented chords for the rest of the band.
The album has something for everyone. For vintage kaiso fans, it presents classics, that have become standards, redone in the jazzy, big-band style of the 1950s and 1960s, under the catchy, contemporary moniker of kaiso jazz.
For jazz fans, it is a delightful blend of music with a talented, all star cast of musicians giving new twists and feelings to pieces with colourful improvisation and great audio mixing.
The album also has a special purpose, intended or not, that of reviving old pieces in a way that young fans, so far removed from their time of composition, can appreciate.

Blue Culture at The Corner Bar Tuesday August 4

2009-07-28T11:28:00.000-04:00

Blue Culture will be at the Corner Bar on Tuesday August 4th!!!

Come hear youthful, funky, Caribbean Jazz. We will be playing new Blue Culture originals and colourful arrangements to your favourite jazz standards!

Don't miss it!

Facebook event link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=108336686786&ref=ts