And so we trundle on. This time out we are in Guyana, which perches proudly at the top of South America and invites you to admire its rain forests and biodiversity, its healthy oil fuelled economy and its many fine cricketers. Anything but Jonestown.
Like several recent posts in the series it was already going to be tricky to track down enough music for Guyana. Matters were made worse when notorious expansionist Charity Chic parked his tanks on my lawn in much the same way as Mr Plump did in Guyana's western neighbour (although to be fair to CC he didn't break into my house and kidnap me).
There is some overlap between the artists featured in the two posts, which is either a sign of shared impeccable taste or limited supply (or both). But unlike CC I have decided to exclude artists born in Guyana who left as children and whose whole careers were in the UK or US. So its goodbye to the likes of Eddy Grant, R.B. Greaves, Ram John Holder and Mad Professor.
I nearly accidently broke my own rule by including Colle Kharis in the Mandatory American Reggae spot and it was only when I was researching the post that I discovered his family moved to the US in 1990. It is a bit tough on Mr Kharis so I may feature him in his own right in the future. In the meantime check out his "Caribbean Bloodline".
On to the official entries. We will start proceedings with an excellent album that has featured here before - "Fighting For Survival" by Yoruba Singers. The band were formed in Georgetown in 1971 and despite their name had no direct links from Nigeria, home of the Yoruba people, but identified with the area from which so many of the African diaspora in Guyana were originally descended.
Their sound was a mix of local folk music, Afrobeat, reggae and lots more besides. "Fighting For Survival" which came out in 1981 is their career highlight - I could have picked pretty much any track from that album - but their 1974 debur "Ojinga's Own" is worth checking out as well.
If that description of the Yoruba Singers' sound prompted you to wonder what the folk music of Guyana sounds like, wonder no more. The Young Ones of Guyana are here to demonstrate with this traditional number which can be found on their 1970 album "On Tour".
While a significant number of Guyanese are of African descent, they are not the largest ethnic group in the country. Descendants of indentured labourers from India account for about 45% of the population compared to 35% Afro-Guyanese (the others are indigenous or of mixed heritage).
There have been clashes between the two main ethnic groups over the years, inevitably stirred up by politicians. One such incident back in the 1960s was reported on by Nesbit Chhangur, who for reasons best known to himself chose it set it to the tune of "Devil Woman" by Marty Robbins.
Staying in the 1960s for a moment, Guyana's greatest calypsonian King Fighter was at the peak of his powers having relocated to Trinidad in the late 1950s to do battle with the best in the business. This particular track comes from a compilation on Soul Jazz records called "Calypso: Musical Poetry In The Caribbean 1955-69", but there is much more from Fighter on the misleadingly titled "Trinidad Calypso Devil".
The modern equivalent of calypso is of course soca and there is plenty of that in Guyana as Adrian Dutchin demonstrates. Those of you who follow Selector Andre on Instagram will know that Mr Dutchin is riding high at the top of the charts right now with "Born And Grow" but we've picked an oldie but goodie for you. It dates from 2011 and can be found on a compilation called "Dis Soca Baddy".
Understandably the Indo-Guyanese didn't want to be left in the kitchen at the soca party so they got together with the large Indian diaspora in Trinidad to develop a style called "chutney". Charity Chic went big on chutney when he was in Guyana but I don't have his robust constitution so I'm restricting myself to this track by Terry Gajraj. It is pleases your palate you can find more on "Chutney Rhythms Vol. 1".
Speaking of Charity Chic, the last two acts both featured in his tribute to the music of Guyana. Eddie Hooper was a stalwart of the scene in the 1970s and 1980s who blended disco, calypso and reggae into a style that he called "loopie" (although I'm not sure anyone else did to be honest). This track dates from 1987 and can be found on "This Is Eddie Hooper", a compilation of some of his best work. Lyrically it has echoes of King Fighter.
Finally in the MAR spot we have Natural Black. Having been blessed with the birth name Mortimer Softley he foolishly abandoned it for his rather generic pseudonym. There is nothing generic about his music however, he has been producing high grade reggae for over twenty years now. We present the title track of his 2018 album "Eyes A Look" for your delectation and delight today.
"Revolution Day" - Yoruba Singers
"Yellow Girl" - The Young Ones Of Guyana
"A Guyanese Lament (Tain Public Road)" - Nesbit Chhangur
"People Will Talk" - King Fighter
"Plenty Wukkin Up" - Adrian Dutchin
"Samdhin Teree" - Terry Gajraj
"Nosey People" - Eddie Hooper
"Eyes A Look" - Natural Black
If all of that has left you thinking Guyana might be worth visiting, let Karissia Couchman and friends provide you with more information about what you can expect if you do go.
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