VA - Jamaica - Mento 1951-1958 [2CD Set] (2010)

Back in 1956, Harry Belafonte brought several mentos to the world's attention, calling them calypsos because the word was much in fashion. You can hear authentic versions of seven of those hits here, in this exquisite anthology with a detailed introduction by Bruno Blum (with the help of Fabrice Uriac): his notes reveal mento’s varying forms, from work-songs and rural mentos to more urban varieties, and songs with gospel and jazz influences (by Lord Fly, Winston Gaynair, Bertie King, Ernest Ranglin…). Lying at the heart of the real roots of reggae, neglected and impossibly hard to find for over half a century, this is Jamaica's original popular music. Its excellent seminal recordings are now revealed in these 36 titles accompanied by a 44-page booklet.
Patrick FRÉMEAUX