This CD is the fruit of a long research of the parallel paths of calypso and jazz, which finished with the series of concerts entitled “Calypso - Jazz Wednesdays”, a periodical gathering directed by master pianist Manuel Obregón and calypso expert Ma [+]This CD is the fruit of a long research of the parallel paths of calypso and jazz, which finished with the series of concerts entitled “Calypso - Jazz Wednesdays”, a periodical gathering directed by master pianist Manuel Obregón and calypso expert Manuel Monestel. They departed from a deep investigation and their enormous talents in jazz and calypso to experiment alongside some of the major living legends of Costa Rican calypso. The research process, the concerts and their recording were possible thanks to the colaboration of the Costa Rican Ministry of Culture and the Spanish Cultural Center.
In this production recorded live, we revive the most famous songs from the 1950s and 60s, back when neighborhood calypso bands where the main attraction in Limón Carnival days. Calypso Limón Legends contains the tradition of the glorious age of calypso carnival bands, but it its strengthened by a New Orleans style jazz piano, which gives this recording a fresh new sound. Sound engineer Draxe Ramírez, is one more star of this production, thanks to his months of precision work to transform the concert recordings from rough diamonds into bright musical gems.
The Vocalists
The five singers we hear in this production are the authors of songs that became true landmarks of Afro Costa Rican culture.
Cyril Sylvan is one of the few singers who have kept the style perfected by Panamanian calypso legend Lord Cobra, one of the household names of Central American calypso. Cyrilo was a fisherman and butcher in Port Limon's main market for 40 years and lead singer for the carnival bands “Lobsterband” and “Skelintans” from the notorious Cieneguita neighborhood, where his brothers, nephews, his daughter and even his mother also performed.
After belonging to several calypso bands, Reynaldo Kenton “Shanty” has always been devoted to music. He was part of the canrival bands Lobster Band and Skelintan by Sylvan, and he continued to interpret calypsos of the great composers from Port Limon in groups like New Revelation, a band from the neighborhood of Cieneguita, founded by reknowned Julio Medina. This is one of the few bands from Costa Rica to be included in Radio France International's compilations.
Originally from Bluefields in the Nicaraguan Caribbean coast, Emilio
|
 |