Creolization in The Music of the English Caribbean

We will first explore the theme of creolization in the music of the English-speaking Caribbean. The textbook Tour de Force: A  Musical Journey of the Caribbean highlights numerous examples of creolization in English Caribbean music. 

One example the text provides is the rake-and-scrape musical style of The Bahamas. Rake and scrape blends African and European musical elements to create its distinct sound. The authors also include instruments used in the rake and scrape music genre like the accordion, the goombay drum and the handsaw. They refer to other creole musical styles close to the Bahamian rack and scrape such as ripsaw from the Turks and Caicos, quelbe music from United States Virgin Islands and fungi music of the British Virgin Islands.

Here is a photo of the rake-and-scrape band Ophie & Da Websites holding the instruments.

Photo taken from https://folkmoot.org/bahamas-ophie-webb/

Below is a video of the band leader, Ophie Webb, discussing the dynamics of the rake-n-scrape style.

Video taken from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHWWHScr7Ok&t=88s

Another example the textbook outlines of creolization in music of the English-speaking Caribbean is the reggae musical genre from Jamaica. Authors Christine Gangelhoff and Cathleen LeGrand outline some features of this style such as the "skank" rhythm, slow tempo, use of the electric bass and syncopation. According to study.com reggae developed from slowing the ska and rocksteady musical styles and fusing it with characteristics of New Orleans rhythm and blues. 

Here is a photo of Jamaican Bob Marley who is among the most prominent artists in the reggae musical style:

Photo taken from https://twitter.com/bobmarley

Below is a video of Marley singing the song "Is This Love," which falls under the reggae genre. One can automatically recognize the syncopated and dragged beat of this musical style. It is also key to note that the reggae lyrics contains examples of the Jamaican creole language, patois. 

Video taken from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69RdQFDuYPI

Another example from the website study.com is the Caribbean musical genre of calypso which originated in Trinidad and Tabago. Calypso was formed from a mix of French, Caribbean, European and African music. According to the article, some features of the calypso genre are a steady driving upbeat rhythm, elements of call and response and the use of percussion. 

Here is a photo of the Trinbagonian calypso singer Aldwyn Roberts who is also known as Lord Kitchener:

Photo taken from https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/photograph-of-lord-kitchener#

The video below features Lord Kitchener performing the calypso song "Pan In A Minor." The video displays common instruments like the steel pan, trumpet, saxophone and electric guitar often used in calypso music. 

Video taken from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVCUdjI0CLk



References

Gangelhoff, C., & LeGrand, C. (2019, December 31). Tour de Force: A Musical Journey of The Caribbean. Sound Caribbean.

Przybylek, S. (2021, February 15). Caribbean Music: Artists & Genres. Retrieved from https://study.com/academy/lesson/caribbean-music-artists-genres.html.

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