The Caribbean Man, winner of five Calypso Monarch titles in Trinidad and Tobago, has teamed up with the host of the pan show "Pan In Yuh Pwefen" on WACK Radio 901fm.com to provide us with a listening gem. The name of the song is "Tell Dem" and it is one that was written and sung for the steelpan. When you listen to the song you can already hear the sounds of the steel pan waiting to burst out of this lyrical beauty.
This song was released early for the season and I do hope that many 'steel bands' are already at it creating pantastic raves to have people in awe of the genius of the great Leroy Caliste. On the other hand we also have Steve Sealy who has done songs for the pan previously. He has come a long was from his days singing with TraffiK but some things never change. Steve is a guy with class and together with the great Leroy Caliste aka Black Stalin they have produced a wonderful song.... a song for calypso lovers and one that would make steel pans harmonize with this melodious rendition; this one is guranteed to bring merriment to pan lovers all over.
Now let's take a closer look at this song and give some perspective on this pan test piece.
Vocals:
We have two 'seasoned' singers doing their thing on this track. They both provide an authentic touch to the song with Stalin's masterful and discernible style of singing. Steve added a very subdued but melodious harmony to the track. I really like the vocal performances on this track.
Musicality:
This is the real deal. This is not a riddim created for various artists to jump on and ride. This is not the how real calypso is done. Soca came from Calypso but the true test of an original piece is that is stands on its own and also stand out when played. Tell Dem that this is how it is done, tell dem that Steve and Stalin will rock the pan world.
Replay Worthiness and Lasting Appeal:
In the Calypso world this song will be played over and over again and it will become a classic for future shows. The only problem is that most of the radio stations in Trinidad are all tuned into the new age sound of Soca. They go for what the youth want to hear and classics in Calypso are not heard on the radio the way most of the Soca songs are catered too. The sad thing is that most of the Soca hits will quickly be forgotten after the Carnival is over but it will be the classics that you will hear when you visit a friends home or go overseas and hear playing in a Trinidadian's home some place in New York. To get to the point you will hear this song on WACK radio regularly because they respect the culture and give Calypso its fair share of airplay. This song will have lasting appeal and when the year 2013 is long gone and all the Soca tracks are forgotten you will hear his classic song played. 'So tell dem again we coming again to inflict some pain .... tell dem, tell dem'; this song will inflict some severe licking for Panorama 2013 and is guaranteed to have lasting appeal!
Originality:
The Black Stalin does music for people to write about - he is the original Black Man. He is the type of person who does work that other will point to and call classic! This is the great Stalin and a steelpan fanatic singing alongside him. In other words you can't get more original than that!
Regardless of how you feel about Calypso the direction that music is heading in Trinidad and Tobago you can always turn to the Calypsonians for the original sweet music that put the country on the World stage. This song is one that you will love and sing for years to come. Damn, this chune sweet! I love it and you will too... at first listen!
This song was released early for the season and I do hope that many 'steel bands' are already at it creating pantastic raves to have people in awe of the genius of the great Leroy Caliste. On the other hand we also have Steve Sealy who has done songs for the pan previously. He has come a long was from his days singing with TraffiK but some things never change. Steve is a guy with class and together with the great Leroy Caliste aka Black Stalin they have produced a wonderful song.... a song for calypso lovers and one that would make steel pans harmonize with this melodious rendition; this one is guranteed to bring merriment to pan lovers all over.
Now let's take a closer look at this song and give some perspective on this pan test piece.
Vocals:
We have two 'seasoned' singers doing their thing on this track. They both provide an authentic touch to the song with Stalin's masterful and discernible style of singing. Steve added a very subdued but melodious harmony to the track. I really like the vocal performances on this track.
Musicality:
This is the real deal. This is not a riddim created for various artists to jump on and ride. This is not the how real calypso is done. Soca came from Calypso but the true test of an original piece is that is stands on its own and also stand out when played. Tell Dem that this is how it is done, tell dem that Steve and Stalin will rock the pan world.
Replay Worthiness and Lasting Appeal:
In the Calypso world this song will be played over and over again and it will become a classic for future shows. The only problem is that most of the radio stations in Trinidad are all tuned into the new age sound of Soca. They go for what the youth want to hear and classics in Calypso are not heard on the radio the way most of the Soca songs are catered too. The sad thing is that most of the Soca hits will quickly be forgotten after the Carnival is over but it will be the classics that you will hear when you visit a friends home or go overseas and hear playing in a Trinidadian's home some place in New York. To get to the point you will hear this song on WACK radio regularly because they respect the culture and give Calypso its fair share of airplay. This song will have lasting appeal and when the year 2013 is long gone and all the Soca tracks are forgotten you will hear his classic song played. 'So tell dem again we coming again to inflict some pain .... tell dem, tell dem'; this song will inflict some severe licking for Panorama 2013 and is guaranteed to have lasting appeal!
Originality:
The Black Stalin does music for people to write about - he is the original Black Man. He is the type of person who does work that other will point to and call classic! This is the great Stalin and a steelpan fanatic singing alongside him. In other words you can't get more original than that!
Regardless of how you feel about Calypso the direction that music is heading in Trinidad and Tobago you can always turn to the Calypsonians for the original sweet music that put the country on the World stage. This song is one that you will love and sing for years to come. Damn, this chune sweet! I love it and you will too... at first listen!
Production Notes:
Singers: Black Stalin & Steve Sealey
Produced By: Junior "Ibo" Joseph
Please be advised that the music is presented here for your listening pleasure and for promotional purposes only ("Fair Use" Musical Content Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976). Lend me your ears... Enjoy!
Please press the play button (below) to listen (small triangle in circle).
Tell Dem - Steve Sealey & Leroy Caliste aka Stalin