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Profiles of Caribbean Artistry
Ray Holman
Special Brew
- Carib Tokyo - Comp. & Arr. R. Holman
Ray Holman is not only one of the most admired musicians in Trinidad; he
is also the only active steelband arranger to have participated in the
first Panorama competition in 1963. Panorama gave birth to a new kind of
steelband music and Holman was one of the musicians that contributed most
significantly to its new style. He won the competition in 1969 and 1971
with Starlift, and in 1972 he became the first steelband arranger to have
his own composition Pan on the Move performed in Panorama. Since
then
he has consistently defied the standard practice of arranging a popular
calypso, blazing a trail (where many other arrangers have followed) by
doing his own music, or "own tune" every year.
"Special Brew" got its name from the unique combination of talents that went into its recorded vocal version. Music was composed by Holman and lyrics by Merchant (Dennis Williams). Brass band arrangement was done by Leston Paul, and vocals by Drupatee. Some of Holman’s writing, such as the repetitive tenor pan rhythms that sound like tassa drums, or the orientally tinged minor mode section, was done to suit Drupatee’s Indo-Trinidadian musical background. In general, however, the steelband arrangement is vintage Holman. Its overall form is typical for Panorama, essentially a series of variations on the verse and chorus, in different keys, with an introduction and coda. Holman stamps it, however, with his unique melodic genius.
The chorus, in particular, which begins with a phrase of just two pitches set to a distinctive rhythm, reappears in a number of meltingly sweet variations and motivic references. Holman’s exquisite melodic phrasing complements a background of bass lines and strumming that is rhythmically driving and gentle at the same time.
The "jams," especially long vamps between the variations built on a short repeated chord progression display Holman’s unique ability to resist the frenzy of Panorama, leave space, and let the music breathe and groove. The slow tempo of this performance, beautifully executed by the Destination Tokyo steel orchestra, only enhances the elegant rhythmic architecture and sweetness of Holman’s music.
© 2001 Shannon Dudley
Ray Holman no sólo es uno de los músicos más admirados de Trinidad; es también el único arreglador de steelpan activo que ha participado en el primer concurso de Panorama en1963. Panorama dio luz a un nuevo tipo de música de steelband y Holman era uno de los músicos que más contribuyeron a su estilo nuevo. En los años 1969 y 1971, ganó la competición con Starlift y en 1972 fue el primer arreglador cuya propia composición Pan on the Move fue tocada en el concurso de Panorama. Desde entonces, ha desafiado constantemente la práctica normal de arreglar un calipso popular, abriendo un camino que han seguido muchos otros arregladores componiendo su propia música o su propia canción cada año.
La " Poción Especial" fue nombrada por la combinación única de talentos que grabaron la versión vocal. Lamúsica fue compuesta por Holman con letras de Merchant ( Dennis Williams); Leston Paul hizo el arreglo de la banda charanga con vocales de Drupatee. Algunas de las escrituras de Holman tales como los ritmos repetitivos del tenor pan que suenan como tambores de tassa, o la sección del modo menor al estilo oriental, fueron hechos para convenir el fondo musical indo-trinitario de Drupatee. En general, sin embargo, el arreglo del steeband refleja al Holman clásico. Su forma total es típica para Panorama esencialmente una serie de variaciones en las estrofas y el coro, en tonos diferentes, con una introducción y una coda.
Holman lo sella, sin embargo, con su único genio melódico. El coro, en particular, que empieza con una frase de sólo dos tonos arreglados a un ritmo distinto, reaparece en un número de variaciones tiernamente dulces con referencias a la melodía principal. El exquisito fraseo melódico de Holman complementa un fondo de líneas del bajo y un rasguear que es a la vez rítmicamente impulsor y suave. Los "jams", improvisaciones bastante largas entre las variaciones de la breve y repetida progresión de cuerdas demuestran la habilidad única de Holman a resistir el frenesí del Panorama, dejar espacio , y permite que la música respire y mueva. El tiempo lento de esta ejecución, bien ejecutada por la orquesta de acero Destination Tokyo, solamente aumenta la elegante arquitectura rítmica y la dulzura de Holman.
© 2001 Shannon Dudley
My Band...A Masterpiece
I have been asked time and again "What is your favourite steelband recording?"
After fifteen years and a repertoire of over one thousand tracks, the answer is
still
My Band, Ray Holman's effervescent composition and arrangement as
performed by Carib Tokyo Steel Orchestra and recorded at Tokyo's Panyard on
February 10th 1988. Each time I listen to this piece, I discover subtle nuances
and inner detail in its balanced, cohesive and transparent soundstage. Ray's
immaculate phrasing, musicality, metronomic rhythm, seductive introduction,
innovative Tassa on Pan ( 4.17 - 4.35), and exquisite bass solo ( 8.06 - 8.48) all
contribute heavily towards my sustained bias for this timeless masterpiece.
© 2002 Simeon L. Sandiford.
Listen to audio clips from My Band by Carib Tokyo (Sanch CD
Pan For The People)
