Jamaica Is The Place To Go: An Invitation To Jamaican Mento

Drawing mainly on recordings from the genre's golden age of the 1950s, the 48-track Jamaica Is The Place To Go explores Mento, the island's original popular music. Together with the American R&B favoured by local sound systems, Mento represents the origins of modern Jamaican music. History lesson aside, Jamaica Is The Place To Go offers over two hours of infectious fun: the perfect soundtrack to your summer! 

Though often erroneously regarded as simply a variation of calypso, Jamaican mento is a distinct musical style that developed independently from its similarly styled Trinidadian cousin. Its roots can be traced to both African and European musical traditions, with its rhythmic structure and lyrical content (generally focusing on current news and carnal relations) having a profound influence upon the subsequent development of reggae.

Tracklist

1-1.   Lord Tanamo & Charlie Binger's Six - Invitation To Jamaica
1-2.   Count Owen & His Calypsonians - Island In The Sun
1-3.   Lord Lebby With The Jamaican Calypsonians - Mama No Want No Rice, No Peas
1-4.   Lord Foodoos & His Calypso Band - Hold ’Em Joe
1-5.   Laurel Aitken & The Boogie Cats - Baba Kill Me Goat
1-6.   Lord Laro - Referendum Calypso
1-7.   Count Sticky & His Calypsonians - Chico Chico
1-8.   Alerth Bedasse With Local Calypso Quintet - Rough Rider
1-9.   Lord Flea & His Calypsonians - Naughty Little Flea
1-10.   Hubert Porter With The Jamaican Calypsonians - Rum And Coconut Water
1-11.   Clyde Hoyte’s Manor House Mentones - Charlie’s Song
1-12.   Count Owen & His Calypsonians - Hool-A-Hoop Calypso
1-13.   Cobra Man With Ganny Gabbison And His Calypso Band - Maintenance
1-14.   Lord Foodoos & His Calypso Band - Back To Back, Belly To Belly
1-15.   Lord Power With Trenton Spence Quartet - Strip Tease
1-16.   Arthur Knibbs With Cecil Knott And His Joybell Orchestra - Banana
1-17.   Lord Tanamo - Wicked Woman
1-18.   Laurel Aitken - Calypso Rock N Roll
1-19.   Count Zebra & The Seasiders - Bed-Bug
1-20.   Unidentified - Love, Love Alone
1-21.   Count Owen & His Calypsonians - Aye, Aye, Aye
1-22.   Bertie King - Wheel And Tun Me
1-23.   Lord Foodoos & His Calypso Band - Lousy Mother In Law
1-24.   Marie Bryant & Mike McKenzie Quintet - Little Boy

2-1.   Lord Lebby With The Jamaican Calypsonians - Sweet Jamaica
2-2.   Lord Power With Calypso Quintet - Chambolina
2-3.   Count Owen & His Calypsonians - Lawd Some Man Could A Smart
2-4.   Laurel Aitken - Nebuchnezer
2-5.   Lord Foodoos & His Calypso Band - Drive Her Home
2-6.   Count Zebra & The Seasiders - Cat-O-Nine
2-7.   Lord Tanamo & His Calypsonians - Animal Instinct
2-8.   Clyde Hoyte’s Manor House Mentones - Old Firesticks
2-9.   Count Sticky & His Calypsonians - Bam Celiena
2-10.   Lord Tickler & The Jamaican Calypsonians - Mama Look Tea
2-11.   Count Owen & His Calypsonians - The Weed
2-12.   Lord Power With Trenton Spence Quartet - Let’s Do It
2-13.   Lord Foodoos & His Calypso Band - Stone Cold Dead In The Market
2-14.   Laurel Aitken & His Calypso Band - Rege Dege Ding
2-15.   Lord Laro - Wrong Impressions Of A Solder
2-16.   Lord Tanamo & His Calypso Band - Little Fist
2-17.   Alerth Bedasse With Chin’s Sextet - Honey Bee
2-18.   Hubert Porter with The Jamaican Calypsonians - Not Me
2-19.   Count Owen & His Calypsonians - The Lost Watch
2-20.   Count Lasher And Charlie Binger's Six - Miss Constance
2-21.   Harold Richardson (2) With Charlie Binger And His Quintet - Jamaica Is The Place To Go
2-22.   Lord Foodoos & His Calypso Band - Jamaica Farewell
2-23.   The Wrigglers (Credited To The Wigglers) - The Mermaid
2-24.   Marie Bryant & Mike McKenzie Quintet - Tomato