Calypso Rose - So Calypso !

Calypso Rose
So Calypso !
2018
Spotify

When you listen to this record your first thought is "this is reggae" and you would not be alone. However it may surprise you to hear that this music is in fact much older than reggae and has it's roots in West African Girot. People who sing this kind of music are called calypsonian hence we have one of the longest running active members of the genre Calypso Rose. Her music is gentle and flowy but like all much of the music from the Caribbean has a certain sense of social commentary. Songs like "Israel By Bus" have this lightness and fun to them but also with a strong sense of returning home. Not all of these songs are originals, in fact many of them have deep roots, but Calypso Rose's unique spin is a joy to listen to. Often for me Reggae can lack some diversity, and end up sounding like much of the same, but Calypso Rose sounds so fresh and exciting that you can't help but buy in. It doesn't hurt that at 78 she still sounds absolutely fantastic. Imagine if your grandma could make a bop like this, you'd probably call her more often. This album also feels like a bit of a tour of the Islands in the Caribbean with different themes and sounds coming from each. Hailing form Tobago Calypso Rose has been performing almost her entire life, winning the title of Calpyso Queen in the 70s and performing with Bob Marley and the Wailers in New York in 1967. Her pedigree is unquestionable, but it's really her excitement for the music she is performing that really makes this album come to life.

I mean you would expect for covers like "I Say A little Prayer" which has been done and done to death to feel heavy and generic, but you'd be totally wrong. The effervescence never leaves this record, just track after track of light springy tracks. This doesn't mean that the album is devoid of meaning, instead Rose uses these lighter opportunities to share her thoughts on the world. There is a plain brilliance to her vocals. They are not the most shimmering nor does she go on vocal run after vocal run, but she finds these pockets of space where the music absolutely soars. This is great music to put on int he background or to make the center of attention, it shines in both venues. If you can get this this record without wiggling your ass you might want to get yourself checked out because something may seriously be wrong. From start to finish this album is an absolute joy from an absolute legend. I cannot wait to hear these jams streaming over a daytime Coachella field, simply magical.

8.3 out of 10