KING PÉPE & HIS CALYPSO COMBO not only are inspired by the Latin American and Afro-Caribbean music, they revisit it. They take us to distant lands in the middle of the 30s, 40s, and 50s, combining Caribbean rhythms with Latin and New Orleans jazz; it is a journey through time, from Trinidad to Jamaica, the Bahamas, Cuba and Colombia until Brazil, and up through the banks of the Mississippi. It’s the grace and beauty of Calypso and Mento mixed with Goombay, Highlife, Mambo, Son Cubano, Changui, Samba, Cumbia, Merengue, Jazz, Blues, Rhythm & Blues, and Oldies – a tasty musical stew indeed. This hard working French combo is a perfect fit for our “78RPM style 10″ LP calypso series. It has the look and feel of those original Jamaican Mento albums, recorded in 33 rpm (don’t worry!). Antique olive green vinyl. Limited edition on JUMP UP Records. Read the rest of this entry »
COUNT KUTU & THE BALMERS “Take Me” 10″ LP – Mento / Calypso and Ska-lypso from The Phillippines! (JUMP107)
Count Kutu & The Balmers is a Calypso and Mento band from Manila, Philippines. Formed in 2002 by original members Count Kutu, Senyor Lucca, Don Ustollano, Lord Santadio and Doctor Turbo, the band plays strictly rural style Jamaican mento music, lead by Count Kutu’s nasal voice and vintage acoustic instrumentation ranging from low end guitars, Tenor Banjo, maracas, catacoo, sand block, bamboo drum and rumba box. Read the rest of this entry »
LORD MIKE’S DIRTY CALYPSONIANS – “More” CD/10″ LP (now on OLIVE wax) – (JUMP070)
The seeds of Lord Mike’s Dirty Calypsonias were planted years ago within the ska/reggae scene of Chicago. As the legendary singer of Deal’s Gone Bad, Mike toured endlessly across America and recorded three full length albums for JUMP UP Records. The last of a dying breed, Deal’s Gone Bad were one of the few traditional ska bands left after the mainstream ska explosion, proudly taking their place next to Go Jimmy Go, The Slackers, The
Pietasters, and See Spot. Even with all of this success, Mike knew that there was something else calling his name…but what was it? Read the rest of this entry »
LORD MOUSE & THE KALYPSO KATS 10″ LP (JUMP089)
Debut 10 trx LP from Europe’s top vintage big band calypso act finally on wax! Having the look of an old Jamaican 78RPM 10″ right down to the vintage green sleeve/label art, includes new versions of “WASH YOUR HANDS”, “FE DA RE”, “CALYPSO BE” + many cool original. For fans of KITCHENER, MIGHTY SPARROW, etc. Click on the image to visit the band’s MYSPACE page and look at all the pretty gals that make up the KALYPSO KATZ! Read the rest of this entry »
DR RING DING – “Back and Forth” CD – (JUMP074)
DR RING DING’s began his professional career in 1987 playing trombone with EL BOSSO & DIE PING PONGS, one of Germany’s most famous ska bands. His experience in EL BOSSO lead to his life long love for Jamaican music. By early 1993 he had formed his very own band, DR RING DING & THE SENIOR ALL STARS, and over the next ten years they would release five albums, numerous singles, and two albums backing legendary Jamaican vocalists DOREEN SHAFER and LORD TANANMO. American releases on MOON SKA and JUMP UP helped solidify his fan base in the United States, and soon DR RING DING was enjoying a worldwide audience for his snappy vocal style and tremendous Read the rest of this entry »