Now playing on Soundcloud.....

Hi Music Friends,

I recently shared some new music on Soundcloud. Its cool to see that people have been listening to it. I hope that you get a chance to listen as well. Click on the link for some tuneage:
 https://soundcloud.com/hear-steel-drums-play

Best,
Minsky

"Fan of The Week" Criteria

Hello Music Friends,

I have a tab on my Facebook fan page called "Fan of The Week". Its a n application that automatically chooses a new fan and recognizes them for a week. So, how does one become a "Fan Of The Week? Well, its very easy. Fan of the week stats are compiled by visitors' interaction with the my page. Visitors get points awarded for their visits, comments, posting pictures, "likes" etc. More interaction increases your chances for getting picked. Another way of getting selected is by "becoming a candidate". Clicking on the "Fan Of The Week" icon (which is located on the top right portion of my timeline) will take you to the candidate sign up page. At the moment the chances of being picked are in your favor as I don't really have heavy traffic to my page. Its essentially a ground floor opportunity to interact with me and be able to say "Hey I knew him when". Head on over to my fan page and get involved! I'll be waitin' for ya.
www.facebook.com/hearsteeldrumsplay

Best,

Minsky

Pictures from The World

Hello Music Friends,

Steel Drum music can take us all over the world...here is a gallery of my past travels http://bit.ly/XGIq2E

Best

Minsky

A 120 piece Steel Drum Band!

Hello Music Friends,

While attending my cousin's wedding in Trinidad I was able to visit NLCB Fonclaire's Panyard in San Fernando, Trinidad. Here is an excerpt of their tune of choice for Panorama 2013.

Best,
MInsky

Poly Rhythms. In other words....Serious Iron Section

Hello Music Friends
Carnival season is underway in Trinidad and Tobago. There will be lots of music, color, and many aspects of visual and performing arts will be represented. I stumbled across a video of a group of musicians belting out a percussive groove. This groove is what drives the rhythm of the steel band and is called a "Rhythm Section" or an " Engine Room".  You will hear them playing without an accompanying steel band. I'd describe the rhythms as "Infectious" Enjoy.


Best,
Minsky

An insider's view of Soca Music

 

 

 

Hi Music Friends, Happy New Year
I found a cool article that writes about the origins of Soca music. It is written in laymans term by soca artist Mantius Cazaboun. I choose this article as steel drum repertoires are loaded with Soca tunes. They are happily married so to speak.
Best,
Minsky

 

Soca

A nice essay on soca, with more detail than I ever knew:

•What Is Soca Music


What is soca music?


This material is geared primarily towards folks who are new to this genre of music called soca...

As an artist who has been recording soca songs for the last eight years, and who has won Caribbean wide soca competitions, I shall humbly attempt to present a comprehensive introduction to soca music.



Soca music originated in the Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago. It is widely accepted to have been created by Lord Shorty (born Garfield Blackman). He noticed that Calypso music was threatened by the more popular reggae music and dying out and attempted to create a new hybrid that was more appealing to the masses.

Click below to read the rest

http://folksongstuff.blogspot.com/2008/10/soca.html

The Story of Toyo and De Boys

Hello Music Friends

I composed  a steel drum based song called "Toyo and De Boys" to pay homage to my grandfather's friends who serenaded our household during the Holiday Season.  Although I was very young at the time and did not remember specific details of the musicians, I  do in fact remember the feelings of love and happiness while growing up on Union Rd in Marabella, Trinidad. The insight of other relatives who knew the musicians helped me re-create  and piece together those precious memories.  I've also composed another song of the same vein. It's called " Mr Copeaux and Crew" .While, that song is the first part of the story, "Toyo and De Boys" is the continuation of the story. It is the second part. If you are cleaning your house, or prepping for hoilday guests, you may very well want to include these two songs into your hoilday line-up as they have the energy to put some "Pep in your step" Click on the link below to watch the video and download the song! "Free is For Me"