Calypso Carnival
Collecting tunes from 1936 through 1941, this set is appropriately subtitled "25 Classic Performances from the Golden Age of Trinidadian Calypso" and it lives up to expectations. The required stars are in abundance; Atilla the Hun, The Lion, and The Tiger all have tracks, although some of the chosen tunes are pleasant surprises. Lionel Belasco and his orchestra churn up a wonderful pasillo called "Depression," an instrumental with a great jazz-age sound recorded in 1932. It features Belasco's light and pleasing piano and some great violin by Cyril Monrose. King Radio dominates this collection with knowing lyrics and delivery in a number of great tracks. There are sessions recorded in both Port au Prince and New York City. The NYC dates feature the fuller, more lush band of Gerald Clark, while the island sides feature the local talent in a slightly rougher and more direct sound.--Louis Gibson