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The Best Caribbean Band Ever...

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-02 15:09:42 

By any measure...Ayen pa mol

I was going to include best artist, but I will give the nod to Bob.

Although if these guys sang in English their brilliance would be evident!

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-02 15:10:22 

And please spare me the Bajan nonsense.

 
Maispwi 2019-05-02 15:15:57 

Ah tawt you were going to say Swinging Stars

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-02 15:18:00 

Btw, the group was formed in 79.

This Mark's their 40th year! 40 years, but for the death of Patrick St. Elloi the group is unchanged!

And still producing great music and the best dance concerts out there!

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-02 15:21:02 

In reply to Maispwi

Hey, swinging stars put out some great music in it's time backing up calypsonians...but Kassav, like the great Jamaican musicians of yesteryear, started a genre and has ruled it with an iron fist for 4 decades!

Very few Bands in the World can say that, if any!

 
Bigzinc 2019-05-02 15:23:52 

In reply to Ayenmol

The tradewinds, Yoruba singers, merry men

my money on the tradewinds...

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-02 15:25:32 

Want a dance workout?

If your smart TV is connected to your stereo dial up one of Kassav's concerts and let it play loud.

You can't get the full depth of the music unless you turn it up!

The African drum and the horn section alone makes me want to move!

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-02 15:26:14 

In reply to Bigzinc

Post your favorite from the tradewinds.

 
russean76 2019-05-02 15:27:59 

Byron Lee and the Dragoneers

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-02 15:32:46 

In Concert..

 
Bigzinc 2019-05-02 15:39:40 

In reply to Ayenmol

caribbean man
boyhood days ...remember frankie worell late cutting laker for four
civilization
you cant get
copycats
guyanese folk song medley

off the top of my head

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-02 15:47:21 

In reply to russean76

Byron Lee cannot touch Kassav for innovation in music!

Byron Lee ain't known but in the Caribbean and a few small areas outside!

Kassav is well known in the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, South America etc. Their music has influenced everything from merengue to Compas to Soukous.

Plus, how many bands have started a genre, and remained on top for so long while continuing to adapt with the times?

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-02 15:47:51 

In reply to Bigzinc

Man post a YouTube link...nuh.

 
imusic 2019-05-02 15:50:21 

Not in any order per se

Third World
Steel Pulse - not Caribbean based but great none the less
Wailers
Kassav
Square One
Touch
Xtatic
Charlies Roots
Black Uhuru
Burning Flames

 
Larr Pullo 2019-05-02 15:56:51 

In reply to imusic

Black Uhuru was not a band

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-02 16:05:51 

Which genre has such percussive brilliance?

 
Bigzinc 2019-05-02 16:08:07 

In reply to Ayenmol

dont have youtube here but you can search for Tradewinds songs..

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-02 16:09:04 

In reply to imusic

I always liked Burning flames and I thought their lead singer...Onyan and Patrick St Elloi had identical vocals....

Love Third World too. All of the above I heard perform live.

Krosfyah was another band I enjoyed growing up...I also enjoyed what WCK did both the bouyon version.

 
camos 2019-05-02 16:10:10 

In reply to imusic

No third world?

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-02 16:17:12 

English Caribbean folks will identify these beats...Soca and Calypso samples these.

Incredible how many beats there are in the Caribbean.

We don't get near the attention for our contributions to music particularly percussion.

I think the most important part of music is the percussion section.

Is that learned? Or personal?

 
Drapsey 2019-05-02 16:51:49 

In reply to Ayenmol

What about the MerryMen (from BIM)?

 
Halliwell 2019-05-02 16:53:45 

Roy cape big grin

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-02 17:20:35 

In reply to Bigzinc

Tradewinds...

Man, them is run of the mill vocal heavy bands.

Grammacks putting them to shame.

 
imusic 2019-05-02 17:27:24 

In reply to camos

No third world?

The very first name on my list

Defog dem glasses bruh cool

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-02 17:30:03 

Dominican cadence music from the 70's...

Exilie One

Those guys set the tone for the Dominican style.

Appropriate song for this site..

Reflect before you talk.
Reflect before you critic.
Reflect before you judge.
Reflect before you attack.

 
camos 2019-05-02 17:30:21 

In reply to imusic

oh shit! lol lol

 
imusic 2019-05-02 17:30:32 

Byron Lee, Roy Cape, Tradewinds to a lesser extent, are cover bands

Now.....they have excellent musicians in their ensemble. Roy Cape in particular has some of the best session musicians in the business.

But they’re cover bands none the less

 
Bigzinc 2019-05-02 17:31:55 

In reply to Ayenmol

grammacks had one big hit from the late 70s Wooey midebar...

i will give kassav a listen sometime...

 
imusic 2019-05-02 17:32:37 

In reply to Ayenmol

Grammacks good too

I can’t argue against your pick of Kassav.

I remember when they used to come Trini back in the day.

They used to RAM OUT the Queens Park Oval to the point where they even postponed cricket matches in order to host Kassav in concert. Such was the demand.


ONE OF MY KASSAV FAVORITES

Their lead singer has such a rich, throaty, kinda scratchy voice. Unique

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-02 17:32:48 

In reply to imusic

Favorite Third World Album.

96 degrees...sweet for days!

Try Jah love to me is example #1 of the clarity in vocals that Third World represented...first song I learned to sing along to as a kid.

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-02 17:44:47 

In reply to imusic

There are very few artists that can make you sing and dance like Kassav!

None have stuck to their roots like these guys.

None have been more loyal than these guys.

Great thing about them is that all of them are great singers and musicians which is why I used 'ayen pa mol' in the lead post. Great example of all the core members singing, except for the drummer and bass guitarist.

 
Oilah 2019-05-02 18:04:35 

Thought I was going to see a top Steel Pan orchestra in Trinidad or Third World smile

 
openning 2019-05-02 18:05:07 

The Merrymen
Tradewinds

 
Oilah 2019-05-02 18:21:27 

In reply to openning

As a child Merrymen was indeed my favorite but I grew up wink
Still love dem though smile

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-02 18:26:57 

Kassav on their 30th Anniversary.

Watch from 1:30 to 2:50...typical great fan interaction to get the crowd enjoying themselves.

Am on the lookout for a US date this year see if I can go.

Clean fun. Great music.

 
Jumpstart 2019-05-02 18:28:04 

In reply to Ayenmol

kassav........purely for the technical brilliance of their work....i don't think any other band has or has had the technical level of musicianship that kassav has

 
openning 2019-05-02 18:45:25 

In reply to Oilah

The few years I worked at Paradise Beach club, before immigrating to Canada, the Merrymen played every Wednesday night, and the Tradewinds played a number of times, during the tourist season.
Jackie Opal band also played

 
nitro 2019-05-02 18:50:09 

UB40

 
openning 2019-05-02 18:56:39 

In reply to imusic
I don't know much about Steelband, but this guy was Mr. Pan
He and his wife was smart enough to get new pans every year, donating the old ones to schools.
ozie hamilton george

 
Raggs 2019-05-02 18:59:26 

I think Peter Tosh's Word Sound and Power band was the best ever. When Sly n Robbie were band members. Being Peter was a brilliant rhythm guitarist he allowed the band members to express themselves fully on stage.

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-02 19:01:54 

10th Anniversary

Band member introduction included. I think George Decimus and the drummer are no longer there as well as Saint Eloi who passed of Cancer in 2010.

You can see how much the crowd loved the music even then when they were just getting going in France...Zouk la was released in 85.

What a band. To see Caribbean folk make it like these guys against so many odds and still be so respected and imitated around the World is tremendous.

Every Caribbean Country should teach about that group to young ones.

 
openning 2019-05-02 19:13:23 

In reply to Ayenmol
First time hearing about this group, had to google to see where the band is from

 
imusic 2019-05-02 19:15:33 

Phase II Pan Groove
Trinidad All Stars
Desperadoes
Renegades

 
Jumpstart 2019-05-02 19:20:02 

In reply to imusic
VAT 19 Fonclaire

 
imusic 2019-05-02 19:25:36 

In reply to Jumpstart

Fonclaire produced a wealth of talented players and arrangers

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-02 19:26:47 

In reply to Jumpstart

I agree 100%.

I put those guys on U2 level!

All due respect to the Tradewinds and merryman, them guys aren't in the same zip code.

Kassav History

Dominican roots.

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-02 19:28:25 

In reply to openning

Not too many English speaking people who were born after Zouk la took the World by storm know them...but YouTube is your friend.

 
openning 2019-05-02 19:31:59 

In reply to Ayenmol

I am trying to learn Zouk and Kizomba dances, so I will hear more of this group.

 
imusic 2019-05-02 19:35:14 

There is a band that tops Kassav in terms of pure musicianship for me

Irakere. They were in a word.....phenomenal

But the Cubans aren’t often considered to be “Caribbean”

But Cuban musicians in general tek win hands down. And not just music....the arts in general.

Nuh sleep on Haiti neither

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-02 19:47:11 

In reply to openning

You can't learn Zouk without Kassav. They I vented the thing.

Before Kassav it was called either konpa from Haiti or kadanse from DA.

Kassav melded the two to make what is called Zouk.

In fact zouk the word is synonymous with what jamaicans call dancehall or house party or block party.

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-02 19:56:06 

In reply to imusic

Irakere sounds good, but they are very folksy and seem to play a more African style that is quite true to the root.

Am not sure if I would call that greater musicianship. Maybe we view musicianship differently.

The Caribbean is about melting various styles to form a distinct sound that is easily recognized but impeccably crafted.

 
openning 2019-05-02 20:05:01 

In reply to Ayenmol
I was told Zouk dance origin is Haiti, it is new to the North Ameriacan dance scene.
BTW, North America has bastardize some dances, making it easier for people to learn.
My latin dance instructor is Cuban, a graduate of The National school of Arts

 
DonD 2019-05-02 20:10:49 

In reply to Ayenmol

What a band. To see Caribbean folk make it like these guys against so many odds and still be so respected and imitated around the World is tremendous.

Every Caribbean Country should teach about that group to young ones.



Ayenmol: I agree with you 110%. I have been listening to Kassav since the late 1990s. I had a french teacher on my staff who introduced me to Kassav and Zouk music. Zouk dance music is happy sing along music. Granted, I don't understand the lyrics but I can repeat the refrains and move to the rhythm easily. Kassav is by far the best dance band I have ever heard. I once saw them in Toronto. To see and listen to Joscelyn Berorard perform Siwo is an incredible happy musical experience. Kassav and Manu Dibango's band dominated the Parisian scene for many years. Good to know that the Band is still going. Hope Joscelyn never grows old.

 
imusic 2019-05-02 20:22:14 

In reply to Ayenmol

Original Irakere members

Chucho Valdes
Paquito D’riviera
Arturo Sandoval

Thiose 3 alone are among the giants of musicianship in any genre. They are world renowned and respected.

You’re right about the “folksy” sound. They were forbidden to play jazz....so to “hide” it, they incorporated Cuban popular music and blended it with bebop lines.

In essence, they combined the traditional African rhythms, Cuban popular music, bebop, and Cuban folk music to form the fundamentals of what is today referred to as “Latin Jazz”

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-02 20:28:35 

In reply to imusic

Man that is the way it is with the French and Latin American musicians in trying to capture the hearts of the public, particularly within the American culture and it dominant musical reach.

That is why, as American music continues in it's instrumental blandness and vocal torrent, I continue to enjoy the tunes from the unapologetic Caribbean and Latin community.

 
DonD 2019-05-02 20:36:52 

In reply to imusic

Not sure Jazz genre belongs on this thread. A seperate thread for Caribbean Jazz music might be a useful exercise.

 
Benjie 2019-05-02 20:48:58 

In reply to Ayenmol

Agreed

Djoni
Mwen di ou awa
Kole Sere
Zouk la se medikamano

My favourites in that order.
In the 1980s I used to listen to alot of Zouk - Mala Voi , zouk machine....

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-02 20:50:02 

In reply to openning

I was told Zouk dance origin is Haiti, it is new to the North Ameriacan dance scene.


Zouk is a musical style, not a dance.

Kassav has so popularized the genre that people also refer to the dance as zouk.

Again...Zouk is a style of music made popular or pretty much invented by Kassav.

It has ot's roots in the African drum beat with it's various renditions throughout the Caribbean and South America.

Kassav started out playing a style of kadanse from DA and Konpa from Haiti also merengue.

They all borrow from each other in rhythm and dance. Hardly can you say any one Island originated it, just where each particular style was adopted.

Zouk, because of the Worldwide success of Kassav, is the most popular and now influences every other genre of the kind...including soca.

The merengue dance has roots in the line dance we call in DA belle, and quadrille.

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-02 20:53:56 

In reply to Benjie

Zouk machine was pretty popular for a while, Tanya's st.vall, frankie Vincent (the French sparrow with his double entendre laced vocals).

Lot's of groups rose up after Kassav. But no e are standing today.

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-02 20:56:43 

This little crowd pleaser always get me going.

That's the beguine beat that Kassav uses often.

 
Priapus 2019-05-02 21:04:38 

There was a 70s band in St.Lucia by the name of Trutones (hope i spelt it correctly). I heard that they were the headline act for one of the Super-bowls during that era. Perhaps Courtesy or any other Looshan poster on here can shed more light on this.

 
Benjie 2019-05-02 21:05:02 

In reply to Ayenmol

Tabou combo from Haiti was pretty good as well
Exile One is another band I recall

But back to Kassav - Djoni & Mwen di ou awa . You will struggle to find two caribbean songs with better rythmns

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-02 21:11:43 

Jacob Desvarieux and Machel

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-02 21:14:30 

In reply to Benjie

Yelele also. Man Kassav have so many great tunes. Whenever I fall in love with one and hear another I can't choose...particularly when they bring the medley.

 
Larr Pullo 2019-05-02 21:27:20 

Any of y'all down with Afro-Beat music? Anyone a fan of Davido?

Y'all should start getting familiar with it.

Here's a Sampling...


BTW did I tell alyuh about the BAD African sisters? lol lol lol

 
openning 2019-05-02 21:28:34 

In reply to Ayenmol

I am familiar with latin dances and music to these dances,ie Salsa, Cha Cha Cha, Merengue,Bachata, Cumbia
I now learning Zouk and Kizomba.
Living out west, we don't have any radio stations that play any of the post music.
I am fortunate to have Sirius radio, where I can listen to Soul, The Joint which is Reggae, Caliente my favourite station.

 
Larr Pullo 2019-05-02 21:34:05 

Here's some more Afrobeat. Gotta introduce alyuh to the music of the motherland...

smile

 
imusic 2019-05-02 21:42:11 

In reply to openning

Living in Calgary, the only music on the radio is Conway Twitty and Jim Reeves cool

 
Da-Vincy 2019-05-02 21:46:44 

In reply to imusic


Third World
Steel Pulse - not Caribbean based but great none the less
Wailers
Kassav
Square One
Touch
Xtatic
Charlies Roots
Black Uhuru
Burning Flames


You know Touch? Rather impressed!

 
imusic 2019-05-02 21:47:23 

In reply to Larr Pullo

FELA RANSOME KUTI

 
openning 2019-05-02 21:50:23 

In reply to imusic

Bro, we have more stations than Van.
Allyuh better be nice to us, we stop BC wines last year, we will stop the oil from getting to you, having now elected, a Trumplike party.
lol lol

 
Larr Pullo 2019-05-02 21:50:57 

In reply to imusic

Respeck to Fela but the new youths now poised to take over with their beats. Actually Machel gets a lot of air and club play in Africa too...

 
openning 2019-05-02 21:51:51 

In reply to imusic

You seem to be hip to music, following you and brother Cheek, did you play in a band back home or in TO?

 
imusic 2019-05-02 21:52:16 

In reply to Da-Vincy

Touch is (was) boss!

 
imusic 2019-05-02 21:53:08 

In reply to openning

I’ve played in bands in both locations.....and elsewhere

 
openning 2019-05-02 21:58:54 

In reply to imusic

I can tell, just by your comments.
The guy I posted came to Canada with a Steel band between 71-73 after his band doing well in the Carnival competition, a number of guys, stayed in Calgary.
Ozie being one of the guys.

 
imusic 2019-05-02 21:59:38 

In reply to Larr Pullo

I heard that about Machel in Africa



Interesting tidbit. Some coworkers from Fiji ask me where I from. I tell them Trinidad. They say they know it.

I ask how

They say Sundar Popo

I nearly drop down on de people floor.

Apparently Sundar Popo is HUGE in Fiji with his chutney music

They say he does RAM OUT the football stadium there when he performs. Well.....they didn’t use the term ram out.....but they did say stadium sell out and people cyah get tickets to buy

They also said that before a Fijian woman gets married, all the women in her family and friends get together for what we would call a “stagette”. Then they all get on dutty singing Sundar Popo songs. And the duttiest of dem all is dey Nani.

And this talk was confirmed by other Fijians I subsequently checked with.


Who de fork knew?

Sundar Forkane Popo. KING in Fiji! lol

 
Da-Vincy 2019-05-02 22:00:38 

In reply to imusic
Fully agree. Always wished they were known outside of Vincy.
But I see that your handle is well-deserved big grin

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-02 22:07:44 

In reply to Da-Vincy

Dance music is quickly assimilated by other cultures.

More so than love songs which you need to understand to appreciate.

Music, the actual rhythm and beat, is what brings people together.

 
Courtesy 2019-05-02 22:29:42 

In reply to Priapus

Yep. The Trutones sometimes spelt as Tru Tones and yes they were featured at the Superbowl - their leader Ronald "Boo" Hinkson is one of the best guitarist you can find in the region. They are now basically defunct but Ronald "Boo" is still very much into his music and is arranging for many young artistes. He is also been very visible during our Jazz festivals.

Ayenmol, I agree with your choice of Kassav - no other band comes close...well yes, Tabou Combo. Tabou Combo at their very best...enjoy!!!

Carveat: Get a good music system to listen to this on this poor Google platform. big grin

 
Maispwi 2019-05-02 22:34:42 

In reply to Da-Vincy

Did de McIntosh boys have a band? Dem fellas cud play

 
che 2019-05-02 22:34:53 

In reply to Ayenmol

And please spare me the Bajan nonsense.

WTRH!!.. yuh friken fi grammy factory owner Rhi, spouge creator Jackie Opel, queen Alison Hinds n ressa dem

gud thread anyways...

lol lol lol

 
Courtesy 2019-05-02 22:35:47 

In reply to Maispwi

Latinaires...they were quite good especially the organist.

Latinaires.

 
Courtesy 2019-05-02 22:42:20 

How many of you enjoyed the Tabou Combo above? Thank me later. big grin

Please, if you are an audiophile listen to Tabou in a lossless format not this shit MP3 format.

 
Curtis 2019-05-02 22:48:06 

In reply to Ayenmol

Great thread. Kassav is the all time best band from the Caribbean period.

Roy Cape, Lloyd Parkes, Fab Five, Troubadours are all good bands.

Kassav in class by itself.

 
Maispwi 2019-05-02 22:48:16 

In reply to Courtesy

Thanks but ah was looking for a Frankie/Syl collaboration

 
Courtesy 2019-05-02 22:49:54 

Tabouuuuuu!!!!!...can't touch this

Test tune for many Caribbean audiophiles. We basically image our systems with this song.

 
Courtesy 2019-05-02 22:52:52 

In reply to Maispwi

OK.

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-02 23:32:16 

In reply to Courtesy

I respect tambu combo, but put them on the level of exile one, grammacks and midnight groovers.

They even have a disco feel to their music.

Good stuff for those who enjoyed the oldies...but still not Kassav fresh.

I still listen to groovers and exile one in the car on a Friday when I like to roam a bit, hit a few fast food joints and go to the car wash or squeal a tire here and there.

But for the home stereo? Kassav.

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-02 23:35:21 

In reply to che

lol

All talented folks. But too much marketing and sex appeal.

Real music ain't that shallow!

Vocals has it's place but great music is when all on stage shine!

 
Courtesy 2019-05-02 23:39:15 

In reply to Ayenmol

I respect tambu combo, but put them on the level of exile one, grammacks and midnight groovers.

Please tell me you are joking.

Actually, most persons who are into music in a serious way have a preference for TABOU.

Those Haitians can play.

 
Drapsey 2019-05-03 00:01:54 


What about Inner Circle?

I know they're a one hit wonder with Bad Boys, but that song having been the theme for the TV show Cops which ran for about 15 years, should qualify them for mention.

 
Benjie 2019-05-03 00:05:58 

In reply to Maispwi

Are you referring to Frankie McIntosh ?
Lead a band called Laviscount Brass in Antigua in the 70s. Arguably the best band
the island has produced. Brass bands with horn sections are now missing from most bands.

 
Drapsey 2019-05-03 00:06:09 


Wait, no love for The Dread And The Bald Head?

 
Da-Vincy 2019-05-03 00:11:28 

In reply to Maispwi


Did de McIntosh boys have a band? Dem fellas cud play

Frankie McIntosh was born into a band (his father’s) and became an excellent pianist himself. But he is more legendary for his arranging, doing so for virtually every calypsonian of note.

 
Benjie 2019-05-03 00:12:44 

In terms of the English Caribbean, I would put Byron Lee and the Dragonaires at the top of the list. They produced consistent quality music for several decades and were quite versatile in terms of the genre of music they played. They also toured extensively.

 
openning 2019-05-03 00:39:10 

In reply to Benjie
I've seen Byron Lee for almost 20 years, the band always come with songs from Carnival, I really don't know if the band has any original songs.

 
Maispwi 2019-05-03 02:26:25 

In reply to Benjie

Was it Lions Centre dey used to play at during Carnival?

 
Maispwi 2019-05-03 02:28:55 

In reply to openning

Byron Lee's calypso renditions were watered down versions but ah enjoyed his Soft Lee series

 
Jumpstart 2019-05-03 03:02:05 

In reply to imusic

Chucho valdes and Irakere......fantastic group

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-03 03:55:53 

You know who iwas thinking lacks a musical standout? St. Lucia.

Has St. Lucia produced any musicians of note?

 
DAVE400 2019-05-03 11:05:27 

In reply to imusic

I don't like them but if you going to list local bands putting out original works you have to list Kes

 
DAVE400 2019-05-03 11:06:46 

Not long lived but Traffic were ok

 
Courtesy 2019-05-03 12:26:18 

In reply to Ayenmol

Mate, you are not even following your own thread (WTF - Wed, Thurs, Fri).

Tru Tones headlined at the Super Bowl. Where do you think the Tru Tones are from?

But not paying attention to the various posts even your own thread is not atypical.

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-03 12:41:08 

In reply to Courtesy

Well, i missed that. Am not familiar with trutones either. Never heard of them till today.

 
Courtesy 2019-05-03 12:49:28 

In reply to Ayenmol

I am imagine you don't GOOGLE either? If this is the case, I don't blame you.

God knows and sees everything.

Ronald "Boo" Hinkson, Leader of Tru Tones.

big grin

Love Everyday.

Shades.

 
Priapus 2019-05-03 12:57:12 

In reply to Courtesy

Thanks. The OP had tunnel vision for Kassav big grin

 
Jumpstart 2019-05-03 13:09:54 

In reply to Courtesy

boss guitarist.....i remember when BETonJazz was around.....they had a concert by him quite regularly on a friday night

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-03 13:37:07 

In reply to Courtesy

Why would i google something I've never heard? And what does that have to do with this thread? We are talking dance bands...Where does Jazz fit in?

Maybe you are the one missing the point? Or you just want to create confusion on the thread?

Plus, headlined? I did use google, and no, there were a few bands who played including the merrymen. They were apparently a well known group in Miami at the time when the Superbowl performance tapped into local fare.

 
openning 2019-05-03 13:44:03 

In reply to Ayenmol

The Best Caribbean Band Ever

Is that not All Genre?
This thread is quite informative, for someone like me, living out west.

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-03 13:52:02 

In reply to openning


Is that not All Genre?


Yes but i have never heard anyone ever nominate a jazz band for best anything. Ever. Plus the Caribbean is not known for top Jazz musicians. Jazz is not a Caribbean product.

If talking Caribbean innovation in music, Jazz would be way down the list. As enjoyed as it may be in the region.

 
Ray123 2019-05-03 14:13:34 

In reply to Ayenmol

Krosfyah hands down! lol

 
Larr Pullo 2019-05-03 14:26:01 

In reply to Ayenmol

Have you ever heard of Etienne Charles?

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-03 14:37:22 

In reply to Ray123

My wife and i were dating when Krosfyah came out with their first hit Album...man, we use to go down to greenhouse on the waterfront for dance night. That was the jam before it got way to out of control. Great dance night and nice tracks out at that time. Alot of average people went out dancing in those days because the soca was so good.

We use to try make it even to the tourist joints at the hotels.

Oh, lawd..

Onyan was out too..

There was another one by a female vocalist to...can't think of it now.

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-03 14:40:30 

In reply to Larr Pullo

Can't say that i had...went to his site. Nice sound. will look into it for sure.

 
Maispwi 2019-05-03 16:09:50 

A little compa maybe

Or a little reggae

De church say no

 
Courtesy 2019-05-03 18:18:18 

In reply to openning

Is that not All Genre?

Thank you Sir not forgetting the complexity of the genre compared with the boom, boom!!!. And his (Iron mol) question was:
Has St. Lucia produced any musicians of note?

Anyways, I have wasted enough time on this contorting waste of a man...Ayenmol.

big grin

 
Jumpstart 2019-05-03 18:23:13 

Malavoi was another phenomenal group.....in fact without Malavoi, there would be no kassav

 
Benjie 2019-05-04 11:59:01 

In reply to Jumpstart


malavoi - la case à lucie. Phenomenal song.
Totally different genre to Zouk. Wasnt malavoi and all string instrument band ?
There is an awesome youtube video of them live at the Zenith in Paris.

 
DirtyDan 2019-05-04 14:38:59 

In reply to Courtesy

Test tune for many Caribbean audiophiles. We basically image our systems with this song.


Just because you mentioned it, I just imaged new speakers with that Tabou piece - Monitor Audio 500's

sweet indeed

 
Courtesy 2019-05-04 14:44:34 

In reply to DirtyDan

Welcome to the club. If you can lay your hands on the lossless version it will be thrice as nice.

Btw, that Monitor Audio 500 standing is just awesome.

big grin

 
np 2019-05-04 14:45:23 

In reply to Ayenmol

Bunny Ruggs (RIP) had one of the sweetest voice clarity you would ever wished for).
Third World in concert is good music to listen and watch. The guy who replaced Bunny is good - but not great - AJ Brown.

 
camos 2019-05-04 15:23:08 

In reply to np

Zapow was a great band!

 
camos 2019-05-04 15:28:17 

In reply to Ayenmol

Yes but i have never heard anyone ever nominate a jazz band for best anything. Ever.


none of the bands listed here half as good as a top jazz band!

 
Hants 2019-05-04 15:37:15 

In reply to DAVE400

This live performance was great.YouTube

Kes the Band - Savannah Grass "LIVE" @ Gateway to the World 2019

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-04 15:50:34 

In reply to camos

Such as?

Often times Jazz bands rely on highlighting one instrument at a time understandably, but when playing all together can seem disjointed and chaotic.

There’s a a reason such a genre is not mainstream.

I recall some of the big bands of the 50's and 60's. There were few that captured the imagination.

Of course, some would disagree. Music is a personal choice and expression.

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-04 15:54:23 

In reply to np

Yeah. I mentioned that earlier. I thought it was truly marvelous.

I have always had problems, for some reason, distinguishing lyrics in songs.

Never with Ruggs. It almost seemed like he was speaking the lyrics.

 
camos 2019-05-04 16:50:36 

In reply to Ayenmol

Such as?



Wynton Marsalis


MJQ







roy hargrove quintet

 
Curtis 2019-05-04 20:35:55 

Folks, I think the analogy that works for this topic:

The Best WI teams did not have Sobers, Kanhai, Lara, Headley and myself.

Yet, all those fine gentlemen were world class, even greatest ever for Gary and BCL.

Kassav is like the WI TEAM of the 80"s and early 90's. No real doubt about it. Big band with Originality ,dynamic arrangements, musicianship with most appeal in French Caribbean circles.

Yet of course, we had massively great bands and singers.

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-04 23:51:15 

In reply to Curtis

Kassav is an innovative band who took a local Caribbean beat and rhythm and turned it into a World renowned standard. Blending instruments and styles that spanned Continents and Cultures.

They have remained together for 40 years. Churning out many albums in that span with at least 5 of their members producing their own albums over that span.

So outside of the music itself, which we all have our preferences....tell me what makes Wynton Marsalis or the others miles better, as you put it?

btw, I don't think Marsalis is part of a band as Kassav is.

 
tc1 2019-05-05 01:10:47 

In reply to imusic

I heard you played with the Dutch brothers, Joey Lewis, and Ansil Wyatt New year eve against the BRC n the Tropical Islanders @ Carlton.

 
JoeGrine 2019-05-05 09:42:57 

Third World by a mile then the rest!

 
JoeGrine 2019-05-05 09:44:25 

In reply to camos

Zapow was a great band!


Not bad at all, great harmonies with Beres Hammond in tow

 
StumpCam 2019-05-05 09:53:26 

Third World for me! Never heard of cassava until now!

 
JoeGrine 2019-05-05 10:02:01 

In reply to StumpCam


It's like arguing Usain Bolt or Tyson Gay for best sprinter.(i.e.) it is not even close.

 
che 2019-05-05 12:50:59 

In reply to StumpCam

lmfao

lol lol lol

 
Larr Pullo 2019-05-05 13:29:34 

Can't believe no one has yet mentioned the Buena Vista Social Club....or is Cuba not part of the Caribbean?

 
camos 2019-05-05 13:57:57 

In reply to Larr Pullo


that is not the name of the band! they are great though, saw them last July.

 
Larr Pullo 2019-05-05 14:11:25 

In reply to camos

What dem name?

 
camos 2019-05-05 14:44:51 

In reply to Larr Pullo

sorry! you are correct re the name.

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-05 14:51:20 

Pretty soon every band will be named.

Not a single reason given for their being chosen though.

 
imusic 2019-05-05 15:48:55 

In reply to tc1

I heard you played with the Dutch brothers, Joey Lewis, and Ansil Wyatt New year eve against the BRC n the Tropical Islanders @ Carlton.

Oh man......Similar to your eyesight, your hearing seems to have deteriorated beyond repair

You might want to spend whatever time you have left appreciating your caregivers. cool

 
imusic 2019-05-05 15:50:30 

In reply to Ayenmol

Yes but i have never heard anyone ever nominate a jazz band for best anything. Ever. Plus the Caribbean is not known for top Jazz musicians. Jazz is not a Caribbean product

Those are some pretty ignorant statements

 
Larr Pullo 2019-05-05 16:03:11 

In reply to imusic

Those are some pretty ignorant statements


ent? lol

 
tc1 2019-05-05 17:01:41 

In reply to imusic


Nuttin wrong with having a caregiver

 
Ayenmol 2019-05-06 16:01:25 

In reply to imusic

There are great bands from every genre and beyond the fact that jazz is at the heart of about every form of music and just about every great band has musicians that excel in playing certain instruments on par with great jazz musicians...

Please post examples of a jazz combo, trio, quartet or big band ensemble that has remained together for 20 years, had multiple Album releases and at least 3 albums go platinum!

Then accuse me of ignorance.