V.A. - The Rough Guide To Calypso Gold (2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 Calypso is Trinidad's art form, grounded in Africa, but very much of the West Indies, growing out of slave culture. It's the mainstay of Carnival -- even now, there's still a calypso tent -- and it's a world compiler Jean Michel Gibert knows very well. These really are some of calypso's golden moments, going back to the relatively early days of recording with Monrose's String Orchestra (sounding not unlike a sophisticated American string band), to King Radio in the '40s, or Calypso Rose offering "Rum & Coca Cola," which became a major U.S. hit for the Andrews Sisters, down to calypso's heyday in the '50s, when Lord Kitchen, Mighty Bomber, and Lord Pretender were iconic figures in a genre that briefly went worldwide. But it's not just the performers; the best calypso songs have entered the lexicon of popular music, like "Scandal in the Family," "Mary Ann," or "Man Smart Woman Smarter." Although much calypso has been topical or local, those -- among many others -- have found lasting international fame. The compilation also explores a couple of interesting little side streets -- calypso in French and in Creole, which have never figured largely, but are still significant. All in all, a very satisfying disc that works beautifully as a calypso primer. by Chris Nickson
Tracklist:
1 Sir Lancelot – Scandal In The Family 3:02
2 King Radio – Mathilda 2:43
3 Lord Pretender – Human Race 3:46
4 Calypso Rose – Rum & Coca Cola 4:09
5 Caresser – Edward The VIII 3:07
6 The Mighty Bomber – Ugly Woman 3:00
7 Lion – Mary Ann 2:25
8 Relator – Nora 3:53
9 Lord Kitchener – Ah Bernice 3:01
10 Duke Of Iron – The Lost Watch 2:58
11 Tiger – Gold In Africa 3:00
12 Kiskedee Trio – Congo Barra 3:01
13 Caresser – Madam Khan 2:54
14 Atilla – La Reine Maribone 2:51
15 Sam Manning – Amba Cay La 3:00
16 Belasco's Orchestra Feat Houdini – Blow Wind Blow 3:05
17 Houdini – Caroline 3:03
18 Monrose's String Orchestra – Old Lady Old Lady 2:55
19 Houdini – Uncle Jo' Gimme Mo' 3:08
20 King Radio – Man Smart Woman Smarter 3:05

HARRY BELAFONTE - Belafonte Sings the Blues (1962) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

After flirting with traditional African-American material in his previous albums, Belafonte, for the first time, devotes an entire album to the blues. However, of the eleven songs, only two could be classified as traditional blues: "In the Evenin' Mama" and "Cotton Fields," the latter given a five minute treatment. Belafonte would take this song on the road as part of his live act for the next decade. Of the other songs, three were covers of Ray Charles standards ("A Fool For You," "Hallelujah I Love Her So," "Mary Ann"). Another highlight is Belafonte's rendition of Billie Holiday's "God Bless the Child." With few exceptions, the entire album is understated and not as exciting or riveting as other Belafonte records. Still, it's solid listening, and taken track by track, thoughtful performances. Footnote: this was the first Belafonte album recorded in stereo. Some releases feature a thick, dark blue spine. by Cary Ginell
Tracklist:
1 A Fool For You 3:38
Written-By – Ray Charles
2 Losing Hand 4:16
Written-By – Charles Calhoun
3 One For My Baby 4:34
Written-By – Johnny Mercer - Harold Arlen 
4 In The Evenin' Mama 3:29
Written-By – C. C. Carter 
5 Hallelujah I Love Her So 2:53
Written-By – Ray Charles
6 The Way That I Feel 4:29

Written-By – Fred Brooks

7 Cotton Fields 5:17
Written-By – C. C. Carter 
8 God Bless' The Child 5:03
Written-By – Herzog, Jr., Holiday 
9 Mary Ann 2:41
Written-By – Ray Charles
10 Sinner's Prayer 4:42
Written-By – Lowell Fulson
11 Fare Thee Well 4:37
Written-By – Fred Brooks
Credits:
Conductor – Alan Greene, Bob Corman, Dennis Farnon

ROBERT MITCHUM – Calypso Is Like So... (1957-1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

More hip than Don Johnson's Heartbeat, not as camp as William Shatner's The Transformed Man, and equally as kitsch as, well, most everything else from the '50s, Robert Mitchum's Calypso -- Is Like So will win you over. Recorded in 1957, the idea for the album must have been hatched in a rum fervor. While filming in Trinidad, Mitchum began soaking up some of the local musical talent, such as Lord Melody and Mighty Sparrow. The result is an album of neither watered down nor truly authentic calypso. Included are the requisite steel drums, congas, and backing horns and many traditional Caribbean songs, yet, a few are obvious rockers á la Elvis Presley. His voice sounds something like Bing Crosby crossed with Dean Martin and Merle Haggard, and his insistence of affecting the broken English of many of the real calypso artists -- this is "dis," "the" is often dropped -- may smack some as distasteful. Nonetheless, it is great to hear such an icon of Hollywood cool having so much kooky fun at his own expense. And the album is not bereft of musical merit. One of the most interesting elements is the use of a banjo instead of guitar as a single line instrument for solos, prefiguring the instrument's use in many contemporary bluegrass and avant-jazz outfits. Also included as a bonus are two rockabilly tracks the artist recorded for his 1958 bootleg. Noir flick Thunder Road, of which the title track "The Ballad of Thunder Road" was a moderately successful pop hit. Matt Collar 
Tracklist :
1 Jean and Dinah  2:44
Don Raye
2 From a Logical Point of View  3:00
3 Not Me  3:02
King Radio / Don Raye
4 What Is This Generation Coming To?  2:42
Sonny Burke / Don Raye
5 Tic, Tic, Tic  2:44
Don Raye
6 Beauty Is Only Skin Deep  2:37
Sonny Burke / Don Raye
7 I Learn a Merengue, Mama  3:06
8 Take Me Down to Lover's Row  2:35
Don Raye
9 Mama Look a Boo Boo  2:57
Sleazy Christopherson
10 Coconut Water  2:46
Wilmoth Houdini
11 Matilda  2:37
Harry Thomas
12 They Dance All Night  2:36
13 Ballad of Thunder Road  2:31
Robert Mitchum / Don Raye
14 My Honey's Lovin' Arms1:59
Joseph Meyer / Herman Ruby
Credits
Robert Mitchum - Composer, Primary Artist, Vocals