Ronald ‘Boo’ Hinkson is a Saint Lucian jazz guitarist &
composer. Born in St. Lucia
& raised on a diet of Ellington, Davis, & Coltrane, Boo's name is
synonymous with St. Lucian music. His mother, who was also an accomplished
guitarist, was his first teacher. Today, he is an exceptionally accomplished
musician who has stayed true not only to his jazz roots, but also to his West
Indian culture. Boo couples his appreciation of the old masters, with
contemporary jazz & soca in his music & lyrics.
I was going to post up his album Beyond from 2003, but I see
it is still available at various locations around the web, so I’ll just feature
a few of the tracks with the best island sound & if you like it, go buy it. Underlined songs are in 4-track sampler.
Ronald 'Boo' Hinkson – Beyond, Zephryn Records, 2003.
decryption codes in comments
Tracklist –
That's What He Said
Song of Love
Love Everyday
Magic in Love
Simply Beautiful St. Lucia
King of My Jungle
Round the Corner
Peace of Mind
Prim
All Blues
The Comet
Second Look
Off the Blues
Hinkson’s musical career began with the band The Tru-Tones
Combo, a group he started in St
Lucia in the 1960s with his brother &
some friends. They recorded five albums & several singles, most famously
“Hungry Belly”, “Burning Eyes”, & “Sexy Thing” (a remake of the Hot
Chocolate song). I know the Tru-Tones set the dancefloors on fire in St. Lucia's
hotel nightclubs & cabaret venues. They commanded stages locally &
internationally for two decades. Their eclectic blends of Caribbean
& pop rhythms garnered them an appearance at Superbowl XIII.
For those of you not into American football, Super Bowl XIII was a game between the
AFC champion Pittsburgh
Steelers & the NFC champion Dallas Cowboys to decide the NFL champion for
the 1978 season. The game was played on January 21, 1979, at the Orange Bowl in
Miami, Florida.
It was the fifth & final time that the Super Bowl was played in that
building. The Steelers defeated the Cowboys by the score of 35–31. The halftime
show was "Carnival: A Salute to the Caribbean" with various Caribbean bands, The Tru-Tones Combo being one.
Cream of the Crop is an album of cover tunes done in the
Tru-Tones own inimitable style. The Tru-Tones were: Ronald Boo Hinkson - band leader & guitar; Guy Frances - rhythm guitar; Basil Belizaire - organ; Cyril Mitchell - bass; Chester Hinkson - tumbales; Conrad Hinkson - guache; Denis Ishmael - tumbas; Joseph Narcisse - bongos; & Erwin Ishmael - drums.
The Tru-Tones Combo of St. Lucia - Cream of the Crop, Wirl W016, 197?
Side 1 –
Light My Fire
This Guy's in Love with You
Aquarius
California Dreaming
It Must be Him
Pan Man
Pan Man
Side 2 –
House of the Rising Sun
By the Time I Get to Phoenix
Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin'
Sock it to Me
My Way
By the Time I Get to Phoenix
Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin'
Sock it to Me
My Way
Enjoy,
NØ
Diggin the island sounds.
ReplyDeleteRonald Boo Hinkson - Beyond
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Tru-Tones - Cream of the Crop
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Caribbean has been kool. Lotsa good sounds & hopefully lots more to come.
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the journey. Was wondering if you were still following along.
Kinda got overwhelmed for a short while, but still checking in every day or two. Thanks again for the journey.
ReplyDeleteWhat's the password, please?
ReplyDeleteThe passwords (i.e. decryption codes) are in the first comment, under their titles.
DeleteJust cut & paste where MEGA asks for decryption code. Enjoy.
There was another band called the N Dees(so cool)they were right there with the TT’s.They recorded the single Aquarius,that was jamming.Nobody ever talk about them,would love to hear that single.
ReplyDelete