Tropicalfete Tribute to Mighty Swallow
with an aerialist, and, most
important, included the youth
in the overall production –
broadcasting, video, sound,
performance and design.
“The hosts, Melissa Noel
and Karen Deterville, aka (also
known as) Fimber, provided
some excellent commentary on
the performances and had an
interactive discussion with the
audience on the history of carnival,”
Aimable said.
He said the event got on
the way with the “Don’t Rush
Challenge” produced by Tykime
Davis.
“This latest challenge on
social media does not require
anyone to leave their homes,”
Aimable said. “Masqueraders
dress up in their carnival costumes
and their regular outfits
for the ‘Don’t Rush Challenge’.
“They pass the different Caribbean
flags from one home
to another jamming to Alison
Hinds’s soca track, ‘West Indian,’”
Aimable added.
He said Aerialist Sherisse
Bideshi and Sade Ellis “grooved
to some sweet soca music in
the air.
“They used the Lyra Hoop
to a accomplish the task, and
their selected song came from
Kes (the Trinidadian band),”
Aimable said.
He said veteran calypsoian
and past recipient of the 2015
Tropicalfete’s Award of Excellence,
Caribbean L 24 ife, Sept. 25-Oct. 1, 2020
Mervyn “Dr. Witty” Carter
was scheduled to be part of
the performing cast to deliver
some extempo and calypso.
Unfortunately, Aimable said
he was hospitalized the day
before the event and was, therefore,
unable to perform.
He said the show’s producers
aired a past Dr. Witty video
performance.
Aimable said 13-year-old
John Peters from Tropicalfete’s
Steel Pan Ensemble played Lord
Kitchener’s “Old Lady Walk A
Mile”; Deborah Spooner showcased
the stilts/moko jumbie
artform; and Shaquille Darius
performed the limbo.
He said the blustery weather
“did not cooperate with plans to
showcase fire-eating, but you
can expect to see this at a Tropicalfete
event in the future.”
Aimable said Daria and
Deuel, lead vocalists of group’s
band, sent the audience in a
frenzy with their performance.
Doubt’s double-platinum
Rocksteady album, as well
as Sean Paul’s era-defining
dancehall classic, “Dutty
Rock.”
As time progressed, York’s
talent was revered by many,
leading other top Jamaican
producers, such as like Winston
Riley, Steely and Clevie,
and Sly and Robbie, to take
notice, enlisting him to engineer
other productions.
Consequentially, York
began working with / for
international artists, such as
Chaka Khan, Cyndi Lauper
and Sinead O’Connor, and is
credited with several other
noteworthy projects, such as
Bounty Killer’s “Suspense”
and Beenie Man’s “Memories.”
These influenced Grammy
award winning rapper
and producer Kanye West’s
single, “I’m In It,” from his
2013’s critically-acclaimed
Yeezus album.
In 2016, York released his
debut project, “Epic & Ting”
on Greensleeves Record.
Two years later he followed
up with “Master Blaster,” to
rave reviews, on his Bulby
York Music label.
“Heartcrafted,” which is
distributed by VPAL music,
a subsidiary of VP Records,
can be considered as a testament
to the legacy of the late
reggae icon “Toots” Hibbert
and other reggae-dancehall
industry icons.
“I have poured my heart
and soul into this project; and,
now, it’s here for the world to
hear, see and enjoy,” York told
Caribbean Life. “Each track
has its own meaning and history,
just as how each parish
in Jamaica captures a piece of
what Jamaica represents.
Jamaican reggae producer Collin “Bulby” York. Collin York
“I have worked with some
of our nation’s best, national
treasures, and this project
captures not just our musical
history but who we are,”
he added.
“Heartcrafted” is available
on all musical platforms globally.
Continued from Page 23
Keisha James (pretty mas)
and Diamond Roach (ole
mas). Tropicalfete
Continued from Page 23
repertoire as they had heavy
dominance in the music scene
of Trinidad and
Tobago: ‘Fire in the Backseat’,
‘Wine on Something’
and, of course, ‘The man with
the Pepper Sauce is Boss.”
“He was a friend and inspiration
to us all, soft spoken
and humble,” he added.
In his tribute, Bunji Garlin
expressed condolences to the
people of Antigua and Barbuda,
according to Loopnews.
“Condolences to the family
of legendary calypsonian King
Swallow and such an important
icon to the culture of the
Caribbean,” Garlin said. “Solidarity
with all of Antigua in
this moment of the passing of
an absolute gem of a talent.”
Lyons recalled the good
times he spent with Swallow,
according to Loopnews.
“I’m lost in words,” Lyons
said. “Just last year, we were
performing in Antigua together,
laughing and having a good
time.
“Condolences to your family,
friends and fans,” he added.
“King Swallow, you will always
be remembered as a super star,
Antigua icon.”
Swallow died after a prolonged
illness, according to
ABS Television/Radio. He was
78.
The Antigua and Barbuda
national television and radio
station said Swallow was one
of the twin-island’s more
“revered icons.”
“Sir Rupert ‘The Mighty
Swallow’ Philo died peacefully
surrounded by family at his
home in Willikies,” it said.
ABS TV/Radio said that,
after introducing himself to
the calypso world with a social
and political commentary
called “Raphael Trujillo,” “the
veteran of the artform never
looked back.
“His many songs have
not only earned him calypso
crowns and road march titles
but the respect of generations
and some of the toughest critics
of the artform the world
over,” it said.
In Trinidad and Tobago,
renowned as “the land of steel
band and calypso,” ABS TV/
Radio said Swallow was “a
favorite, winning over audiences
with a string of consistent
hits, including ‘Fire in
the Backseat’, ‘Subway Jam’,
‘Party in Space’ and ‘Satan
Coming Down.’”
Swallow won his first calypso
crown in Antigua and Barbuda
in 1973 with “March for
Freedom” and “Push Ya Push
Dey”, and then again in 1978,
1979 and 1985, ABS TV/Radio
said.
Continued from Page 23
‘HEARTCRAFTED’
The late Antiguan Calypso King, the Mighty Swallow. ABS
TV / Radio