Kobo Town Brings Independence To Canadian Music Week
Mannieb
Toronto-based roots-calypso act, Kobo Town will headline the official
Canadian Music Week (CMW) 'MusicDish 10th Anniversary' Showcase hosted
at The Trane Studio in Toronto on March 8th. The Trane Studio is
located at 964 Bathurst Street. Kobo Town takes the stage at 10:30 PM.
Other performers include Caroline Glass, Mélissa Laveaux, Grüvoria and
the Souljazz Orchestra. The showcase is free for all CMW badge holders
and $10 for the general public. For more information, please visit
http://www.musicdish.net/cmw/ or http://www.tranestudio.com
Kobo Town produced and self-released their debut album "Independence"
in November 2006. It was named by Blogcritics as the best
International album of the last year. CBC Radio One's "Fresh Air" and
"Big City Small World" radio shows also chose the record among their
Top 10 lists for 2006. Finally, The Live Music Report had this to say
about the record after placing it on their Top 10 list of outstanding
2006 discoveries:
"It is daunting to attempt to describe a CD created by a poet with the
eloquence of Trinidadian-born Drew Gonsalves. His 'St. James' would
fit nicely in an anthology of Caribbean and Caribbean-born poets that
would also include the works of Linton Kwesi Johnson. Some heavy
material, but there is levity too - and rhythm! Lots of sounds to
savour.
"Intoxicating calypso rhythms held straight with a reggae backbone is
the best way to describe this Toronto based group's sound...
"Independence" shows how music can be the voice of the people and that
the message always rises from ashes. One of the most beautifully
intelligent releases...ever!" - IndependentsOnly
Drawing heavily upon the sounds of traditional calypso, roots reggae
and dub poetry, the album is a collection of stories which offer a
running commentary on a wide variety of social and political themes
including domestic violence, homelessness, globalization, the war on
Iraq, and the various frustrations and betrayals of the post-colonial
era. Named after the vibrant and turbulent neighborhood in old Port-of-
Spain, Trinidad, where calypso was born, the group strives to recover
the social conscience, satirical storytelling and strong acoustic/
organic rhythms that characterized Trinidadian music in the past. For
members of the eight-piece outfit, the name suggests an origin as well
as a destination.
Independence was co-produced by Lyndon Livingstone (David Rudder,
Andre Tanker, Mighty Scrunter) and Drew Gonsalves at the Razorshop in
Maraval, Trinidad. Independence will be available for download through
CD Baby, iTunes, Music Discovery Network, Calabash Music and select
online retailers. For more information or to hear advance tracks from
the album, please visit, http://www.kobotown.com.