Islands Library

The Islands Groove Library :: The Groove Library Vol. 2

1h 17m

Vintage Calypso, rare Mento cuts, and tropical warmth distilled into sixty minutes of island sound.

Island music carries the weight of place in a particular way. The records in the Islands Groove Library are not postcard sounds -- they are the real thing, made by people living on specific patches of earth surrounded by water, shaped by history and climate and necessity. Calypso, Mento, early reggae and its predecessors: music with roots deep enough to hold.

Vol. 2 moves through the Caribbean with a light touch and a serious ear. The obvious anthems are absent by design. What you get instead are the records that serious collectors return to -- the sides that did not make the compilations but should have, the artists who deserve wider ears. The groove is warmer than you expect and the bass sits exactly right.

An hour goes by quickly. That is always the sign of a well-sequenced mix.

Tracklist

  1. 1 Miriam Makeba – I Can't Cross Over
  2. 2 Blind Blake – Goombay Rock
  3. 3 Josephine Premice – Rookoombey
  4. 4 The Loire Valley Calypsos – Calypso Is Like So
  5. 5 Dave Bartholomew – Shrimp and Gumbo
  6. 6 Calypso Mama – Run Joe
  7. 7 Mongo Santamaría – Jamaicuba
  8. 8 Romperayo – El Busetero Buscapleitos
  9. 9 Aillacara 2743 – Cumbia Chacarera
  10. 10 Maya Angelou – Peas and Rice
  11. 11 Louise Bennett – Day Dah Light
  12. 12 Calypso Mama – Ask Me Why I Run
  13. 13 Passion Coco – Chamelon
  14. 14 Lalo Guerrero y sus Cinco Lobos – Los Chucos Suaves
  15. 15 Calypso Rose – The Bicycle
  16. 16 Bio Ritmo – Picaresca
  17. 17 George Symonette – Goombay
  18. 18 Eloise Trio – Coconut Woman
  19. 19 The Loire Valley Calypsos – Big Load Of Coconut Water
  20. 20 Passion Coco – Tiburon a la vista
  21. 21 The Talbot Borthers of Bermuda – You Can't Tell The Old From The Young
  22. 22 George Symonette – Dont Touch Me Tomato
  23. 23 Calypso Mama – Yes, Yes, Yes
  24. 24 Blind Blake – Spirit Rum
  25. 25 Mighty Panther – Barbados Carnival
  26. 26 Young Growler – Pussy Galore
  27. 27 Alvin Tyler – Peanut Vendor
  28. 28 Lord Flea & His Calypsonians – Out De Fire