Calypso Rose – Far From Home

What is it about the Caribbean? The music seems to have a vibrancy and feel to it like no other place on Earth. Their ability to produce sunshine music that soothes the soul and moves the feet is universally known.

Step forth then The Queen of Calypso, and the most expansive and forward-looking record Calypso Rose has made in a career that began in the carnival parades of Trinidad more than half a century ago. This is not just an album that is homage to a 76 year old woman, it is perhaps the best album she’s ever made. Far From Home is full of quick wit, humour, and life teaching as well as providing a summer bounce. She is joined by the worldly wonderful musician Manu Chao, who joins her for three tracks and helps to create a modern relevance and wider appeal for the album.

The album starts with a simple traditional calypso tale of a girl. ‘Abatina’ is a wonderful track with such an infectious beat, it commands you to move. The track also features a wonderful video which is available via YouTube, which we strongly recommend.

‘Leave Me Alone’ which features Manu Chao is a straight jump up Soca track straight from the islands. Manu and Rose are backed by a rhythm section of pure magic and the horn section pierces through as we sway and smile. The title track ‘Far From Home’ is a bitter-sweet ode to her beautiful island of Trinidad and Tobago. Joined again by Manu, his collaboration lifts the track into a wonderful summer tune that we hope we gains huge exposure.

‘Calypso Queen’ is a response to any doubters that dare to question her place as The Queen of Calypso. Reminding us all that she’s been doing this for a very long time and she is not done yet. The fire and passion for her music is paramount. Further evidence of her standing and impact is illustrated in the wonderful ‘No Madame’. This is a reworking of an old track from Rose, such was its impact back in the 1970s that the Trinidad Prime Minister summoned a cabinet meeting. How we could do with such music today. The track describes the treatment dished out to domestic servants and the harsh conditions and unfair pay they received. This resulted in a change to the employment laws. However, although this is a powerful political statement it still carries and wonderful calypso rhythm which is infectious and moving.

‘Woman Smarter’ is a reworking of the traditional classic ‘Man Smart Woman Smarter’. Rose is in splendid form reiterating the universal truth that we all know. Woman are smarter, and she gives many examples of this with all her craft, humour and wit that can’t help but bring a huge smile to our faces. The album finishes with the wonderful ‘Human Race’, another stock favourite which chants the universal line that no matter who you are with or what nation you come from, we are all part of the biggest family and we should love and respect all.

This is a superb album and will go a long way to restoring the faith in the power of music. This, from a hugely influential woman whose life has been immersed in music. She perhaps says it better herself: “I did not become a singer of calypso; I was born into calypso.”Who are we to argue?

Youth Authority is available from iTunes and Amazon.