E15: Small Islands of the Caribbean - Trinidad, Guadalupe and Haiti

Hear the full episode here:

In this week's podcast Jeremy and Tim turn their attention to the musical cultures of 1965-1975 on some of the smaller islands of the Caribbean: Trinidad, Guadalupe and Haiti. We hear about Trinidad's particular combination of Afro-diasporic and South Asian populations during Imperial rule, how Calypso mediated the island's relationship to the British Empire, the emergence of the steel pans on the island in the face of persecution, and how American Soul influences gave rise of Soca.

Tim and Jeremy also discuss the archipelago of Guadaloupe - not a country but a department of France - and it's two great Twentieth Century musics, Zouk and Gwaka. They discuss the history of Haiti, from its successful slave revolt to the many political pressures its suffered subsequently, and it's Compas music, along with the particularities of the spiritual practice of Voodoo on the island. Plus, cricket lovely cricket!

Produced and edited by Matt Huxley.  

Tune in, Turn on, Get Down!

Tracklist:
Trinidad All-Star Percussion Band - Excerpt from British news reel
Lord Kitchener - London is the Place for Me
Lord Kitchener - Black Power
Lord Kitchener - Victory Calypso
Lord Shorty - Soul Calypso
Lord Shorty - Indrani
Les Vikings de la Guadeloupe - Assez Palé
Exile One - One Favor
Ensemble Aux Calebasses De Nemours Jean Baptiste - Donnez moi La Main
Shleu-Shleu - Ceremonie Loa

You can find friend of the show Cedric Lassonde's compilation of Gwoka Moderne, Lèspri Ka: New Directions in Gwoka Music from Guadeloupe 1981-2010, here: https://timecapsulespace.bandcamp.com/album/l-spri-ka-new-directions-in-gwoka-music-from-guadeloupe-1981-2010

Books:
CLR James - The Black Jacobins