| Check these books and CD's from the Caribbean Jamaica's Mento Music on CD The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) has produced a CD featuring four of Jamaica's leading mento bands - Kew Park from Westmoreland; Mount Peace from Hanover; Rod Dennis from St. Catherine and Blue Glaze Band from Clarendon are the featured bands. The songs on the CD are humorous in the mento tradition while at the same time giving serious commentaries on Jamaican life. Some old favourites are Mattie Belly, Ruckumbine and Salt Lane Gal. Mento music is regarded as the foundation of Jamaica's modern pop music from ska to reggae, and is kept alive mostly by older folk. Addresses for the JCDC are jcdc@ cwjamaica.com and www.jcdc.org.jm A CALYPSO TRILOGY - Book & CD by Rawle Gibbons The book consists of three plays which have been successfully performed in Trinidad - Sing de Chorus featuring calypsoes of the 1930's to 1940's; Ah Wanna Fall, calypsoes of the post-war era; and Ten to One, calypsoes of the 1950's - 1960's. Some 132 songs are included in the book, each song itself offering a window to the life of the period through the eyes of Trinidad's popular calypsonians. 25 Calypsoes from the 1930's to 1940's featured in Sing de Chorus are available on CD from the publishers Published by Ian Randle Publishers e-mail [email protected] or on the Internet at www.colis.com/irp/ or e-mail [email protected] SILO SESSIONS CD produced by Seretse Small Lovers of jazz , check this out! Jazz CD SILO SESSIONS, produced by Seretse Small, recorded in a silo at ART/OMI, in New York. Seretse is a graduate of the School of Music at the Edna Manley School of the Performing and Visual Arts in Jamaica He has been making a name for himself in jazz circles with his original Caribbean based sounds. Of the 14 pieces on the CD 10 are original compositions by this talented composer/guitarist. Information can be obtained on the Internet at www.angelfire.com/wi/griot (very interesting site for jazz lovers wanting to know more about Caribbean jazz) or e-mail [email protected] NINE MORNINGS - Books A Cultural Tradition in St. Vincent & the Grenadines by Edgar Adams This interesting little booklet examines the Christmas tradition known as Nine Mornings in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. According to the introduction: "Over the years, many generations of Vincentians have enjoyed the tradition of "Nine Mornings" This tradition has also provided subject matter for local poets and other authors, and has attracted much debate. Apparently for nine mornings before Christmas, ending on Christmas Eve, Vincentians leave their homes very early to parade in the streets, sing, eat, play music, take sea baths and generally enjoy themselves before the work day begins. Author, Edgar Adams has been writing to record some of the traditions of his home country. Other books by him are: LINKING THE GOLDEN ANCHOR with the Silver Chain COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS DIGGING FOR GOLD and Other Stories All available from: R&M Adams Book Centre 5 Grenville Street P.O. Box 707 Kingstown St. Vincent Tel (784) 457-2278 TRAVELLING MERCIES by Lorna Goodison published by McClelland & Stewart Ltd. - www.mcclelland.com Jamaican poet, Lorna Goodison is internationally recognized and widely acclaimed for the excellence of her work. This is her seventh book of poetry. MORE ANON I plan to give you more information on interesting titles from Jamaican/Caribbean publishers - books and CDs. Till then, as we say in Jamaicaj WALK GOOD!! |
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| Many Caribbean publishers are not yet able to offer instant online purchase orders, but I assure you that the books &CDs mentioned on this site are well worth the effort of sending an initial email query |