Pan Jazz 'N' Calypso CD

Pan Jazz 'N' Calypso Part of the relatively extensive Caribbean Carnival series on Delos, known generally for its Western classical lineups. The album deals primarily with bands that have a decently large representation of women in them, such as Exodus, the Silver Stars, and Pandigenous (one of the few, if not only, groups that use a vocalist in addition to the steel band). The music is composed by a few of the notables in steel band society, such as Ray Holman and Len Sharpe, as well as Jit Samaroo (three of the "Big Five"). The music is all recorded during outdoor practices for the Panorama Competitions, due to the extreme difficulties in recording actual Panorama performances. Surprisingly enough, only two of the groups involved on this album are using their full armies of 100 or more players, with the rest holding 10 to 25 members in their contingents -- this is a ridiculously small lineup for many purposes during the Panorama season. Nonetheless, the music is well done, leaving the listener with a good thick introduction to the genre, or for the advanced listener, a good thick helping of the music in general. Not a bad album at all -- if interested, one should check out some of the other releases in the series on Delos. ~ Adam Greenberg Liner Note Author: Simeon L. Sandiford. Recording information: All Stars Panyard (06/20/1986-07/14/1990); Fernandes Industrial Centre (06/20/1986-07/14/1990); Phase II Panyard (06/20/1986-07/14/1990); Solo Harmonites Panyard (06/20/1986-07/14/1990). Arrangers: Earl Rodney; Leon "Smooth" Edwards; Kenneth Brown; ...