This is the album that made Harry Belafonte's career. Up to this point, calypso had only been a part of Belafonte's focus in his recordings of folk music styles. But with this landmark album, calypso not only became tattooed to Belafonte permanently; it had a revolutionary effect on folk music in the 1950s and '60s. The album consists of songs from Trinidad, mostly written by West Indian songwriter Irving Burgie (aka Lord Burgess). Burgie's two most successful songs are includ...   [ read more ]

CD $7.59

One of two stunning CDs of solo piano recorded by Kenny Werner for Steeplechase -- upon hearing it one wonders why this brilliant pianist isn't more widely known. His takes of great standards such as "If I Should Lose You" and "My Romance" are very refreshing and strikingly original. His masterpiece is a breathtaking reworking of "Yesterdays," although the phenomenal rendition of "What Is This Thing Called Love?" and the reflective, imaginative take of "Naima" are equally impressive. F...   [ read more ]

CD $18.98

All of the material on this 26-song, 73-minute CD was recorded for Moe Asch of Folkways Records between 1946 and 1961; half of the tracks were previously unreleased. It may be that many of the arrangements he used were more accessible to American ears than those used by some of his calypso peers, or just that the fidelity on many of these numbers (particularly those from the later 1950s and early 1960s) is superior to that heard on many vintage calypso recordings. But Lord Invader does seem more c...   [ read more ]

CD $16.13