Is it already that time again? Like the years before Bajan artist Andy ‘Blood’ Anderson, formerly known as member of Square One and Square Roots, releases a huge compilation album for Barbados CropOver 2012. Huge means musically large – of course – the album is packed hot Caribbean Carnival and Soca vibes. Huge also in quantity: 32 tracks are on this CropOver compilation with many big names of the Soca business in the Antilles:
Mikey, Alison Hinds, Khiomal (Krosfyah), Lorenzo, Contone, D2, Ms Desire, Basil, Smokey Burke and many more. Pan Lovers will find a nice steel drum track by Mexican.

The compilation will be released on May 1st at 0:00 Bridgetown time – weeks before you’ll find it on iTunes, spotify or amazon.

Get it at Faluma Store

Andy ‘Blood’ Anderson on facebook

If you happen to be in Dakar tomorrow, don’t miss Pape & Cheikh’s live appearance at Le Must.

Pape et Cheik – Yërmënde by Faluma

You can either get the album from our little download store africa.faluma.com or from any other download platform you like, click here for tracklisting and download shop links.
*Please note: there are bootleg versions of this album available in many download stores! We initiated legal actions already. Please support the artist and look out that the label is Faluma Africa and nothing else for this album!*

Their second album “Rincon Boyz Goes International” which contains the mega hit “Porfin tin un homber!” (Finally there is a man!) was an instant success and became the number one song of the year 2010!

“Rincon Boyz Crème de la Crème” is the name of their 3rd release which receives massive airplay on all local radio stations. The Boyz’ very own distinctive sound that they developed over the years became even more distinguished.
In 2011 the lead singer of Rincon Boyz won “Rey di Tumba” during Aruba Carnival.

At the moment they’re busy recording their 4th album which is supposed to be released at the end of April especially for “Dia di Rincon” (Rincon Day) a huge international folk festival held on Rincon, a town on the island of Bonaire on the 30th of April and where the majority of the musicans originate from.

Nowadays, thanks to their enormous popularity and success at home and abroad, the group performs almost every day including every Sunday which was the only day during the week that they’ve originally intended to perform!
Two of their albums are now being released internationally by Faluma. “Rincon Boyz Goes International” and “Rincon Boyz Crème de la Crème” will be made available worldwide digitally in May 2011. We’ll keep you posted.

Large Band Category

Showtime – 2011 Calypso Compilation by Faluma

more results:

Medium Bands Category

1: Valley Harps – 275
2: Katzenjammers – 275
3: NLCB Buccooneers – 269
4: Courts Sound Specialists of Laventille – 268
5: Pan Elders – 266
6: Sangre Grande Cordettes – 258
7: Steel Xplosion – 257
7: Arima Angel Harps – 257
9: Power Stars – 255
10: Pamberi – 255

More info on steel pan music.

Press release:
The videoclip ‘I’m Waiting’ makes a debut on the airwaves this February, with clear messages of the prevailing value of ‘self’ in the midst of turmoil. A much anticipated collaborative work between KORA award winner Ade Bantu, and MOBO award-winning songstress Nneka, both of NIGerman origin. This music track speaks of love, of life, of war, of loneliness, of deception, of pain, and of the injustice of living in a society where one is surrounded by plenty, yet living in
penury. A poignant piece which awakens the conscience with its candour, ‘I’m Waiting’ speaks the mind of everyman.

The fusion of Bantu’s free-flowing rap with Nneka’s soulful rendition passes a message of seriousness and emotional weight. This is a song that stimulates the mind, taking one through a plethora of emotions and thoughts. Its powerful imagery speaks the truth in harsh but undeniable beauty. With no clichés, no pretences, and no stereotypes, the duo delivers a song that cannot be ignored.
It simply says what it needs to say, leaving you and I to grapple with our different interpretations of Reality. I’m Waiting (the fifth of ten tracks in Bantu’s new album, NO MAN STANDS ALONE) is also the official soundtrack of Andy Amadi Okoroafor’s movie “Relentless” starring Nneka and Gideon Okeke (Tinsel).

The power of creative communication is brought to bear on the message of this video. With crisp mental triggers, using subtle visual manipulations and uncommon styles of cinematography, it communicates the relationship between the persona and the environment in which he/she must survive.
Each time one watches the clip and listens to the lyrics of this track, a new treasure is revealed in its message and delivery.
This is a refreshing difference from the videos that we have become accustomed to identifying with the African market. ‘I’m Waiting’ is surely NOT business-as-usual. This is true of the movie Relentless, and also of the album “No Man Stands Alone”.

Oh yes, it’s showtime! Just a few more weeks til Carnival – we can’t wait! Now is the time of the most feverish rehearsals in the panyards, of the last tweaks on the costumes in the mas camps, the preliminary rounds of the various Monarch competitions (Calypso, Soca, Chutney…) and of rising excitement among all revellers.
We are proud to present you our first release of the 2011 Soca & Calypso season: “2011 Calypso Compilation – It’s Showtime” produced by MAJOR&minor Productions.
Every year the worldwide booming steeldrum scene is meeting for the Panorama in Port-of-Spain, the most important competition for virtuosos and fans of this beautiful instrument. The pan, invented in the Trinidadian Carnival during the 1930s during the prohibition to play drums, is nowadays known all around the globe. You can find steel orchestras even in Japan, Australia or Switzerland.

Usually the competitors of the Panorama, which is taking place during Trinidad Carnival, pick up current Soca and Calypso songs that will be arranged for steel pan orchestras with up to 100 or even more players.

The propably most popular and longest running compilation series with calypsos written esp. for the steel pan comes from MAJOR&minor Prod. and has been released by Faluma for many years.
Many Panorama titles are based on songs from these compilations.

With vocalists like Calypso Monarch Kurt Allen, soca diva Destra, songstresses Denyse Plummer and Lil Bits, furthermore the great Tony Prescott and Eunice Peters and many more, the music on our annual “Calypso Compilation” is rich in melodies, harmonies and arrangement. Pick up your piece of the real Caribbean Carnival.

Please find the tracklist and download links here!

Right in time for Christmas we treat you with two wonderful releases by the Netherlands-based Caribbean fusion band La Ritmica.
First of all we have the hit single Juana P for you, please also check out the video above.
Juana P, originally a classical salsa tune from the 70′s from the famous late singer Hector Lavoe and trombone legend Willie Colon, now freshly recorded by La Ritmica. La Ritmica interpreted it in their very distinct way and spiced it up with different rythms such as salsa dura, bomba and reggeaton with technos influences.
This characterizes the concept of the band La Ritmica which is called Caribbean Fusion, fusing different Caribbean rythms with each other and with other musical influences.
The other release is the live album called “En Vivo!” by La Ritmica. With this infectious Caribbean-style salsa at its best they will definitely get you in the mood to dance! I can guarantee you that this high quality recording of their show will warm you up in spite of all the snow and ice over here in Europe.
If you don’t have the chance to see one of the bands numerous live shows (don’t miss it if they perform somewhere close to you), this album is what you need to feel their energy!

Please find the download links to En Vivo! here and to Juana P here.