Friends & Countrymen

Recorded at Sweet Sixteen Sound Studios N.Y.C., Oct. 1973. Made in Barbados ℗ 1974 Back cover text: The Steelband, undoubtedly, the 20th century's most revolutionary musical instrument, has already been a source of great wonder to most people. This instrument is featured in this unusual album the alto pan, to be exact, played by Earl Rodney, a super musician who has been associated with the steelband almost from its inception. Earl got together with a group of his buddies - Ruiz, Freddy, Johnny, Beaver, Cape, Oxley and Roderick (all of whom are in seif imposed exile in New York and who are a talented and well-disciplined bunch you'll probably find any-where). One of Earl's pals who did not perform on this album but did play a vital role, that of tuning and also moulding the alto pan - was Allan Gervais, a lite - long friend and veteran steelband leader. FRIENDS AND COUNTRYMEN is a never-before-heard interpretation of the African musical experience in the Caribbean. Earl articulates that experience with the help of the other musicians. The locals of this intriguing, irresistable, musical trip is Trinidad perhaps, the fountainhead of music in the sun-drenched Caribbean and the birthplace of Earl and his group. The solemn mysteries of shango; the compelling jab jab beat; the excitement of the calypso and the heady atmosphere of Trinidad carnival are all here. "Juck Juck", the opening song is basically a jab jab beat with simpie folk melody scintillatingly executed on alto pan by Earl. Ruiz (flugle horn) and Freddy (guitar) are the other soloists backed by Jonny (bass), Beaver (drums and congas) Cape (alto sax) and Oxley (Trombone) and Roderick, setting the pace for the rest of the album, "Peace Pipe" is a double entendre song with shango rhythm. The same soloists are featured. "Strife in a village", takes us back to rural Trinidad and the historic camboulay riots of 1881. Here the music tries to capture the discord, violence and clash of arms. There is an exciting conga solo by Beaver in this piece. The mourntul Midnight man (O' mo 'O'ru) a shango melody featuring Eari and Freddy, begins the action on the flip side. 'Conversation of love" is a rap session between two lovers: the sessions provided a happy ending. The beat is shango and Ruiz, on trumpet this time, and Earl provide the conversation. The album ends with the titlers tune - an undeniable, uninhibited Trinidad carnival jam session. Apromiscuous interplay of musical idiom and the hand-shaking, laughter, carouing and joie-de-vivre of long-lest "Friends and Country-men". i take this opportunity to say a special word of thanks to all my fellow musicians for the discipline, patience and love which was present through these difficult but fruitful sessions. All my friends featured on the album have very impressive musical credits and long years of experience in their craft, both in the Caribbean and the United States, most of them having accompained top American and Caribbean singers. Though we are separated by thousands of miles, for over three years, we were able to come together for this memorable occasion. As a token of appreciation, the last song is dedicated to my "Friends. and Countrymen" who almost played their hearts out before we all parted once again.