Sweet pan music to unwind

If you’re in the mood for easy listening music, the kind you enjoy after a hard day, then I recommend pannist, arranger and composer Ken “Professor” Philmore’s newly-released CD, Perfect Combination, which has music to unwind. Philmore takes you through a range of moods with his expert and tuneful pan playing, coupled with the soothing voice of Jerome Bissessar, who sounds very much like Michael Jackson. At times you think the late great singer is right there, taking you through the songs, especially Human Nature. This CD is well put together musically, and the placing of the songs on the 14 tracks keep you wide awake. There’s a bit of reggae in Rockaway and Heaven’s Door, with soca represented by a lively interpretation of Militant’s Passion. Old favourites such as Cruisin’, Rock With You, Never Can Say Goodbye, and My Girl, among others are also included. Ken shows he is very much at home in any genre of music. The production was done by Junior “Ibo” Joseph at this San Fernando studio. Perfect Combination, by the globe-trotting Ken “Professor” Philmore is now on sale at all record shops. It comes highly-recommended.

 

 

 

Plummer quits competition

Don’t look for Denyse Plummer in the Lord  Brynner Independence Calypso Competition to celebrate Trinidad and Tobago’s 50th anniversary of Independence. Plummer told Mr Muzik: “I am through with competition. You have to know when to quit. I need to move to another level.” The calypso icon, who gave T&T the catch phrase “what is dese?,” was recently inducted into to the We Beat Hall of Fame, with calypsonian Trinidad Rio and panman Keith Simpson. She told Mr Muzik that she was a born “St Jamesian” and is humbled by the honour of the We Beat Committee, led by Earl Crosby. “This honour is special,” said Plummer, holder of the nation’s Hummingbird Medal (Gold). “It is like your own people honouring you. It hit me for six!” she gushed. With a career into its 28th year, there is no letting up with Plummer, who thanked corporate Trinidad for giving her gigs. Although she is not in the news these days, she is busy working with London and South Africa on the cards. Affable and warm, Plummer has come a long way from a toilet-paper baptism at the 1986 Calypso Fiesta, Skinner Park, San Fernando, to the top-rung of calypso. This living symbol of perseverance is well decorated, with four Calypso Queen titles (1988, 89, 90, 91) among her awards. Now add the We Beat honour to the distinguished list.

 

 

 

De Fosto again

They call him “Mr Quick Song.” It is a title The Original De Fosto Himself (Winston Scarborough) has earned for composing songs at the drop of a hat on any current topic. His new song, An Oath To Her in tribute to the late Father of the Nation, Dr Eric Williams, joins the ranks of Kamla and Ayana, two quick songs. However, An Oath To Her is a classy composition which traces Mother Trinbago’s journey from nationhood to present, is sprinkled with milestones along the way. De Fosto has a knack for these big compositions, whose strong lyrics are backed by sweet music. I suspect that this brilliant composition will be his offering for the Lord Brynner Independence Calypso Competition, but with De Fosto you never know. He might perform another quick-song act.