Music of the Caribbean Jamaica and more

The Caribbean A Set of Islands in the Caribbean Sea Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Trinidad, Tobago, Puerto Rico, Netherlands, Bahamas and other small islands First Inhabitants were from Africa Instruments like the Steel Drum and Maracas are widely used

Mento An early style of Caribbean music Mixes African and European styles Generally medium tempos, uses African percussion Many songs have fun, light-hearted lyrics

Mento Band “The Jolly Boys” Rehab Mento version

Ska Started in the early 1960’s Simple rhythms that emphasize the 2 nd and 4 th beats of a measure Brass instruments and guitars are often used Fast to very fast tempos Influenced by American Rhythm and Blues Famous bands “Skatalites”,

Ska in the ’s Continued to change and take on more elements of music from America and Europe “Two-Tone Ska” by multiracial bands than dressed in black and white In the 90’s a more modern version became popular with bands “Smash Mouth” “Less Then Jake” and “No Doubt”

Ska Bands of the 1990’s Smash Mouth Less Than Jake

Smash Mouth “All Star”

Jamaica

Rocksteady Slower tempo than Ska but faster than Mento Lyrics about modern life, troubles, love, etc. Made famous by Jamaican musician Desmond Decker; also played by groups like No Doubt DESMOND DECKER

“007 Shanty town” by Desmond Decker

Reggae Music 1968 – became an internationally known style of music Characterized by the rhythm combination: REST, CHORD, DROP, CHORD Lyrics often talk about human rights, political views, problems of today, love

Bob Marley ( )

Born in 1945 in Jamaica Bob Marley Introduced Reggae music to the world Grew up very poor in the ghetto Trench Town Was inspired by the different music around him and from different countries Was inspired by the different music around him and from different countries A member of the Rastafarian movement Was politically active and often wrote music about equality for all people Survived an assassination attempt in 1976 Diagnosed with cancer in 1977 Diagnosed with cancer in 1977 Produced over 20 Albums International superstar

Bob Marley o Was award the Medal of Peace by the United Nations in 1980 o Died in Miami Florida in 1981 of Cancer o Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 o He is still internationally known and his music continues through his son Ziggy Marley and grandson Damian Marley

Bob Marley “Three Little Birds”

Compos (Haiti) Comps was founded on the Island of Hispaniola – Haiti & the Dominican Republic Bands include electric guitar, bass, alto sax, drum, cowbell & percussion Combination of French, Creole, American Jazz & Spanish influences

Merengue (Dominican Republic) Equal to Rock music in America 4-beat rhythm, horn section, guitar, bass Can have large bands of 10 or more Spanish percussion instruments like the Tamboura, maracas & guira Tamboura Drum

Other Styles of Caribbean Music Merenhouse – a modern style of merengue like pop rock music Merenrap – merengue mixed with rap, uses modern instruments and electronic sounds Bachata – Simple vocal music sung with guitar (country/folk music style) Lyrics are about lost love, losing a friend, bad luck Modern Bachata songs are back up by a modern electronic band

Trinidad and Tobago

Calypso o From Trinidad and Tobago o Carefree lyrics and beautiful melodies o Medium tempos o Mixtures of the Steel Pan Drums, guitar, drums and other Caribbean percussion instruments

Steel Pan Drum Invented in Trinidad & Tobago after WWII when many empty oil barrels were left on or washed up on local beaches Musicians discovered that you could play different pitches by hitting the tops and play entire melodies on them Has a “raindrop” sound

How a Steel Drum is made

Soca Music Styles Soca – Soul music + Calypso music Heavy bass beat, lots of high cymbals, bass guitar has a moving rhythm, made for dancing Big hit “Hot, Hot, Hot!” by Arrow in 1983 hit charts all over the world Soca Chutney – Music from India mixed with Calypso (Many people from India have moved to Trinidad) Features the Sitar and Tabla, bass guitar, guitar Caribbean percusion

Rapso Emerged in the late 1970’s (about the same time Rap emerged in the US) Founded by Lancelot Layne Mixed Soca music rhythms and rhyming poetry Lyrics deal with modern street life, hardships, etc. (like American Rap music)