Byron Lee, the driving force behind Jamaica's Calypso-soca scene, is also the brains behind that island's rapidly expanding carnival celebration. Years ago he threw a little fete on the Kingston campus of the University of the West Indies; today the several-weeks-long event features a full pantheon of Caribbean Calypso and soca stars, a tentative hybrid called "soggae," as well as concerts headlined by Jamaican vintage artists, the greats of ska, rock steady, and early reggae. The dizzying array of events, parties, parades, and marches draws celebrants from all over the world, including other islands, especially Trinidadians, who come not only to quench an insatiable party thirst but to cast a nervous eye on the competition. For this set, Lee and his band re-create the unique flavor of Jamaican carnival with their interpretations of hits by leading exponents like Trinidad's David Rudder and Machel Montano. Although measuring up to the original interpretations is near impossible, the Dragonaires acquit themselves admirably, and while some find soca's insistent thudding beat monotonous, Lee and company prove that from armchair dancer to "champion bubbler," no one can resist soca's call to "jump and wine." --Elena Oumano

Byron Lee's ska rivals the best, 02 Nov 2007
Bandleader Byron Lee is known for his adaptability in following the musical fashions. So in the early 1960s he recorded ska with his Dragonaires (notably including Baba Brooks, Lester Sterling) and artists like The Maytals, The Bluesbusters and Jimmy Cliff. Often considered second class to producers like CS Dodd, Duke Reid, Prince Buster who worked with The Skatalites, this compilation features great instrumentals (with a twist) and good vocals. Watermelon man ska features an organ, Frankenstein ska sounds like that, Ska-dee-wah and Night train from Jamaica are driving instrumentals and Guns of Navarone is in a live version. Vocally The Beatles got to go, Wings of a dove, You make me feel the way I do and Run man run are the most remarkable, one way or another.
Not as heavy and rootsy as the Skatalites, this short but enjoyable set has enough to prove itself.