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Sanch Electronix Limited releases Defosto's 30 th Anniversary album for 2007
Sanch Electronix Limited releases Defosto's 30 th Anniversary album for 2007. A new venture for Sanch, managing Director Simeon L. Sandiford, believes it is important for the organization to get its feet into the calypso arena, the fast track. As a consequence, the CD is being released under a new label, Hingsim Company Limited (a subsidiary of Sanch) that will focus on marketing Caribbean culture.
Entitled "The Fearless Warrior", it is a project with a difference for Sanch, being its first experience of producing an entire album locally. The album consists of 13 calypsos, five of which were recorded in 2006 at Dancin Dread Studios. The other tracks were recorded at various studios over the years. They were all mastered by Soundreaction (another subsidiary of Sanch Electronix) and replicated by Crosby 's. The booklet was printed by Caribbean Printing and Paper Products (1993) Limited. The now famous Kenneth Scott, whose handiwork can be seen on almost all of Sanch's albums, did the artwork. Joint executive producers are Winston Scarborough "The Original Defosto Himself" and Simeon L. Sandiford.
In his thirtieth year as a calypsonian, Defosto sees himself as being more direct and critical in his social commentary. Putting on the mantle of a fearless warrior, he attacks with vengeance, not to hurt, but to awaken the dormant silence people have now adopted. The many satirical selections on the album bear testimony to this mandate.
"Police Money" is sure to be one of his controversial pieces for 2007. In the persona of a police inspector, the bard speaks of the challenges facing any policeman today. The situation is chronic and so it is no wonder that a policeman (or soldier) could consider "rent(ing) out his uniform" to ensure he has enough money to keep his wife satisfied.
Calling to mind the lyrics of Stalin's calypso "Bun Dem", Defosto insists there are new individuals to be burnt. In true Original style the calypso bears familiar strains of Stalin's popular renditions like "More Come", " Caribbean Man", "Vampire Year". In this way he pays glowing tribute to a calypsonian who has made a tremendous impact on the art form through his own biting commentary on the goings-on in society.
"Pan Lamentation" is sure to get the nod from pannists looking for new music for the up-coming Carnival season. Defosto berates the fact that inadequate prize money is given to players at this most prestigious competition 'Panorama'. Further, the authorities have allowed the pan to slip through our hands so that other countries now claim it as theirs while all we do is only talk with no action to show.
The epitome of satire is found in another selection "Santa de Business Man ". Speaking to Santa, Defosto tells him how glad we are to see him especially as he makes us spend money we don't have and by the end of the season when our pockets dry and we are in tears Santa joyfully waves us goodbye. Images of Santa Claus on television opening doors at Standards and American Stores, busy by the malls, come to mind as he entices us to come down to take advantage of sale prices.
One of Defosto's greatest contributions to the art form is his ability to capture the essence of a person through his tributes. "Gladiator" is one such song, which pays tribute to the radio personality with a call-in programme bearing the name Gladiator. It is a dramatic piece of music that calls one to experience the power of The Gladiator as he speaks for the voiceless in society. This selection should find its place as the theme song of the programme. Be sure to listen to the clashing of the swords at the beginning and end - the mark of true gladiators!
Some of the other selections on the album reflect Defosto's contributions over the years, "Trinidad for Sale ", "Dip in the Water", "Alien ." As always in high praise of great cultural icons, Defosto resurrects two selections which he sang in 1984 - "Hypnosis" in praise of Shadow and "Legends of a Hero" glorifying the contributions made by Sparrow. Interestingly, all the older hits have been re-mastered from vinyl records by Soundreaction thus giving that crisp, clear quality found on the album.
Traditionally, Sanch Electronix has focused on producing pan music in the Carnival season This has, in a way, protected them from piracy which has crippled the local music industry, making calypso production an almost non-viable enterprise. This new venture is, therefore, a challenging one and one that reflects the strong relationship, which has existed between Sandiford and Scarborough for many years.
The CD goes on sale soon at all record stores and gift shops nationwide. Members of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers' Association (TTMA) will be afforded special pricing through their Membership Value Added (MVA) arrangement with Sanch. For further information please contact Josefina Owen at Hingsim Company Limited, 23 King Street , St. Joseph . The product is also available in MP 3 format through www.Trinimusic.com Ring tones will be supplied through Ellimac Production Limited.
Susanne Roget
2006-12-31
| Sanch Electronix Limited |
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