This page contains a brief overview on the album RAF ROBERTSON: Universal Rhythm. Learn more about the artist and explore the track lists and website. If you find any information that needs to be corrected, please let us know.

 
RAF ROBERTSON, accomplished pianist and arranger specially known for his sensitive and creative performances of the improvizational genre known as Calypso-Jazz, has just published his new CD, titled "Universal Rhythm."

This new work is further proof of Raf's success in combining the "joie de vivre" of Caribbean rhythms with jazz harmonies. This is music that can make you dance and travel spiritually. Here's what a connoisseur of the Calypso-Jazz genre says about the new CD:

"In these momentous times of globalization, words such as universal often carry a suspicious gloss.

For those who know pianist, composer, vocalist and teacher Raf Robertson, however, the word universal is one of many sincere expressions of his artistic gifts.

As a seasoned musician who has performed either as a leader or accompanying musician in various parts of Europe and the United States, in Africa, and across the Caribbean for the better part of three decades, Raf Robertson is acutely aware of what it means to play with a universal rhythm.

"Universal Rhythm" is Raf's third CD as a leader. He follows the trajectory of his previous recordings ("Just Teasin'" and "Branches") in documenting the life of what is incorrectly considered to be a poor relative of Jazz music - Calypso (Kaiso) Jazz. In this regard, "Universal Rhythm" is offered as a most eloquent corrective.

It may be argued that Calypso Jazz is as old as calypso itself. The tasteful and catchy arrangements of calypsos from the 1940s and 50s for example (like those of the Roaring Lion and Lord Kitchener) embodied the jazz zeitgeist of the age. Then in the 60s came musicologist Scofield Pilgrim, and exponents such as Clive Zanda, John "Buddy" Williams, Rupert Clemendore, Luther François, Anise Hadeed, Monty Alexander, Robbie Greenidge, Len Boogsie Sharpe, Andre Tanker, Frankie McIntosh, Toby Tobas and scores of other improvising young West Indians. We now have what has become a well-defined and documented jazz sub-genre.

In [the first tune on this new CD, titled] "Pan Explosion," Raf mirrors the refined melodicism of the sadly departed master (Lord Kitchener) and adds his own inimitable improvizational flair. Anton Rubinstein's face would be wreathed in smiles if he were to listen to Raf Robertson's treatment of his delicate and pretty "Melody in F" - demonstrating Raf's classical music affinities and the fact that Kaiso Jazz takes no prisoners in terms of its source material! Raf answers guitarist Andre Tanker's "Jumbie Call" with a hip-swaying beat and barrelsful of improvizational ideas. Kaiso Jazz gives way to a mellow reggae-fied vibe on Frankie McIntosh's "Madisa." Raf's two original compositions are "Pan for Carnival" and "Mandela's Dance." The former puts one in the mind of enthusiastic devotees "chipping" their way down Frederick Street [Port-of-Spain, Trinidad] on J'ouvert morning [starting the yearly two-day Carnival celebrations]. The latter, tinged with "Township Jive," evokes the heady feeling of exhilaration when Nelson Mandela strode to freedom on that eventful February day in 1990. Perhaps the most haunting tune of the disc is the truly masterful reharmonisation of Mighty Sparrow's "Slave" featuring the very commanding vocal of Raf Robertson himself. Ekendra Das' "Comparsa" adds a compelling percussive element to a fine album.

Ably supporting Raf on this most recent exploration of the Calypso Jazz beat are Konrad Atherley on electric bass guitar, Ekendra Das on percussion, Kenny Joseph on drums, Faye Clinton on cello ("Mandela's Dance") and Lennard Jack playing steel pans.

[This CD] is a rich "musical callalou," essentially West Indian in content, but transparently global in intent and impact. Enjoy it!"

Raf's long musical career began in the early 1970s, while he was still attending high school in Trinidad in the era of dance music and combos. After studies in England and the U.S., Raf's resumed his career as a professional musician with tours in Europe and North Africa. Following his return to the Caribbean in the early 1980s, he participated in workshops throughout the region, lecturing on developing calypso jazz and the potential of the steelpan. He also performed at various concerts, including a series organized by the Trinidad and Tobago Tourist Board and the delightful "Ivory and Steel" series presented at the Frank Collymore Hall in Barbados and the Central Bank Auditorium in Trinidad.

Raf toured Europe, Africa and the Caribbean for several years with pop star Eddy Grant and performed at the St. Lucia Jazz Festival and with other well-known artistes such as Ralph McDonald, Branford Marsalis, Grover Washington, and Roy Haynes. He recorded a segment of BET's "Jazz in the Sun" series in Jamaica and has played for the past two years at U.S. Congressional Black Caucus events.

During one of his more recent sojourns in Barbados, Raf taught school and produced two CDs for fellow artistes at his own RiffRaff Studios. He has arranged music for steelbands and judged steelband and calypso contests in Trinidad, Barbados, and New York. Raf has since late 2000 been in the Washington, D.C. area, where he came to work as Musical Director for the PG County Community College Metropolitan Ebony Theatre's musical, "Once On This Island." Raf and his band have since been featured in the Washington, D.C. area at Calypso Jazz concerts organized by the Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago and by the Trinidad and Tobago Association of Washington, D.C. He teaches music and plays gigs regularly at various venues in the area.

"Universal Rhythm" joins Raf's previous works already published, "Just Teasin'" (cassette) and "Branches" (CD). Visit his Web site: RafRobertson.com for more...

Check out the artist's website:
http://www.rafrobertson.com

Track List:
1. Pan Explosion
2. Comparsa
3. Slave
4. Madisa
5. Melody in F
6. Pan For Carnival
7. Jumbie Call
8. Percussao Para Carnaval De Brasil
9. Mandela's Dance

Other Genres:

• WORLD: Island
• JAZZ: World Fusion
• FEATURING PIANO