As you can easily tell by reading any of his articles on the subject, PatrickREALLY enjoyed exploring Barbados earlier this year. We don’t play favorites here at Uncommon Caribbean, (unless St. Croix or Cruzan Rum are involved), but if we did I’m guessing that all things Barbados would merit a gold star from my bro.
From the quiet seclusion of Archer Bay and the storied heritage of St. Nicholas Abbey, to the bustle of the St. Lawrence Gap and the sublime elegance of The House, Barbados put a spell on Patrick that will likely never be broken. About the only thing that could’ve made his week in Barbados any bit better might’ve been a personal tour of the island with its most famous local, R&B superstar Rihanna.
That will have to wait for a future visit (dreams do come true sometimes, right?)… In the meantime we can all enjoy Rihanna’s brief video intro to her home island above.
With World Cup fever now in full swing across the Caribbean (and virtually everywhere else) we’re taking a look back and saluting Jamaica’s football heroes, The Reggae Boyz. Who could forget back in 1998 when Jamaica became the first English speaking country from the Caribbean to ever qualify for the World Cup Finals, a feat many in the region thought would never happen. Making the tournament was historic, but when they won their 3rd game 2-1 vs Japan the Reggae Boyz became legends. Remember when by enjoying the video above, which showcases some of Jamaica’s biggest recording artists – Ziggy Marley, Maxi Priest, Shaggy, Buju Banton, Tony Rebel, among them – performing the Reggae Boyz theme song from 1998, Rise Up!
Christiansted, the charming principal town on my home island of St. Croix, is celebrating its 275th anniversary in 2010. Many notable and historic events have occurred here over the centuries, but we’re choosing to mark the momentous milestone by remembering the town’s uncommon star turn in a 1980′s rap video.
In the mid-80′s there was hardly a bigger rap group, both literally and figuratively, than The Fat Boys. With 3 Gold albums (’84, ’85, ’88) and 1 Platinum release (’87), this Brooklyn trio was on top of the music world. It was pretty surprising to me, then, as a young teen growing up in St. Croix at the time, that they would come to our little corner of the Caribbean to put on a concert and shoot the music video above.
I remember our school principal threatening severe consequences for anyone who skipped classes to appear in the video, though I guess that didn’t stop the few faces I recognize jumping up with the group.
Anyway, enjoy the video, and if you want to see what’s happening in Christiansted right now, or any time for that matter, click here to check out the GoToStCroix.com webcam.
Remember when The Police were the biggest rock band in the world? I’m talking way before Sting started developing jazz scores around his blue turtle dreams, and probably well before he ever heard of tantric sex, much less became the face (albeit a farcical one) for it.
In the late-70′s and early-80′s, the 3-man British trio – Sting (lead vocals, bass guitar), Andy Summers (guitar, vocals) and Stewart Copeland (drums, vocals, percussion) – topped the charts with a unique brand of rock combining punk, jazz and reggae influences.
I, like just about everyone else, was hooked. In particular, I was hooked on the group’s 1981 release, Ghost in the Machine.
Caribbean vibes run throughout the album, from the indisputable reggae guitar licks of Spirits in the Material World, to ska-like horns in Demolition Man, to the hints of calypso in Every Little Thing She Does is Magic. It’s no surprise, really, when you consider the somewhat unusual, at least by today’s standards, location where much of the album was recorded…
Remember when Montserrat was one of the jewels of Caribbean tourism? I’m talking way before the island’s Soufrière Hills Volcano started acting up in 1995, forcing the evacuation and eventual destruction of the capital city, Plymouth.
In the 1970′s, Montserrat ranked among the most desired Caribbean playgrounds for UK vacationers, especially well-to-do folks like Sir George Martin. Who’s he? Oh, just the guy who signed The Beatles to a record deal with EMI in 1962 and produced all their albums until they disbanded in 1970. Yeah, he deserves a royal title or 2.
In 1969, before The Beatles called it quits, Sir George founded AIR Studios in Central London. Then, after falling in love with Montserrat during a 1977 vacation, he opened a second AIR Studios facility there in 1979.
Offering all the world class facilities of AIR’s Central London location with the added cachet of an absolutely idyllic tropical location, AIR Studios Montserrat quickly became popular with the top musical acts of the period, including Dire Straits, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Duran Duran, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, The Rolling Stones, Lou Reed, Black Sabbath, Eric Clapton, and of course, The Police.
All the songs on Ghost in the Machine were recorded in Montserrat between January and September 1981, with the lone and ironic exception being Every Little Thing She Does is Magic. It’s not just ironic because of the Caribbean influences in the song, though. The music video (click here to see it) features footage shot at AIR Studios Montserrat, as well as some great candid moments showing the band jamming, dancing, laughing and singing with a crowd of locals out in the streets. It’s the kind of uncommon travel experience we aspire to, and a nice reminder of the days when MTV actually played music videos.
The band’s experience in Montserrat must’ve been great because they returned a few years later to record their biggest hit record, Synchronicity.
The good times at AIR Studios Monteserrat were short-lived, though. And you can’t blame the volcano this time either. In 1989 Hurricane Hugo destroyed the facility, closing a uniquely Caribbean chapter in rock and roll history.
The recording industry hasn’t returned to Montserrat, but the island’s vacation industry is on the rebound, a fact made clear on the island’s tourism website and in this video. The still-active volcano is a big draw for adventure travelers, but if you’re like me then walking in the footsteps of 1 of the world’s greatest bands may warrant a visit as well. Until we get the chance, at least we can listen to this classic rock album with roots in the Caribbean right here!
As our faithful readers already know, Uncommon Caribbean loves a great concert, so it’s little surprise that on this Saturday we’d rather be in Tortola for the annual BVI Music Festival. The 3-day party’s ideal location in Cane Garden Bay offers music lovers the option of groovin’ on the sand, in the water, or out on their boats, all the while enjoying fabulous local food and friendly faces. Headliners this year include Nina Sky, Fantasia and CoCo Tea, so you know this jam will be hot. The video above of Tanya Stephens performing her hit “It’s a Pity” at last year’s Festival provides a glimpse of what we’re missing…
Need to bone-up on your dance moves before heading out to the clubs tonight? Then check out this classic video with step-by-step instructions on how to dance Jamaican ska…
It’s a funny thing to say because this is not my favorite reggae album. It’s not even my favorite 80′s release. This is simply my favorite album.
I’m not saying Earth Crisis is the pinnacle of musical excellence, or anything like that. I’m just saying that it never fails to put me in the perfect mood. It always floods my mind with vivid feelings and sensations of growing up in the Caribbean.
In fact, my first “official” concert ever was Steel Pulse at the horse track on St. Croix (across from the airport) back in 1992… And that was already 8 years after this, their 5th album dropped.
I had never experienced anything like it. This international band on stage under the stars with an amazing, heart-pounding sound system, and me, surrounded by practically everyone I knew. It was an amazing experience where we all divided time between dancing and watching the band through a thick haze of smoke.
For the grand finale, the band launched into an extended jam to Steppin’ Out. After awhile, the music started getting slower and slower and slower. The dancing on-stage also got slower and slower. Enveloped in the thick cloud of smoke, it truly messed with your mind…
Finally they slowed all the way to a stop.
When they started jamming again – faster and faster and faster – they were playing the song backwards!!
It’s a night I can remember with amazing clarity.
You could do a lot worse than to bring this album along on your next excursion to anywhere in the Caribbean. Not only will the drinks taste a little better, the sun shine a little brighter and the sand between your toes warm your heart a little more, but when you return from the islands you’ll just have to play this album on a sunny day, with a drink in your hand, to almost put yourself right back in paradise.
Anyway, don’t just take my word for it. Listen below and hear why Steel Pulse’sEarth Crisis is music we love.
