One of the most virtuosic of small groups in the field of
steel band
,
Jit Samaroo
and family run a tour de force over both
calypsos
and various adapted
pop
hits on
Quintessence
. All members of the band, except the bass pan player, are family, and prior to 1991, the bass player was family as well (sister
Vidya
, featured in
"Pan Rising"
).
has gone on to be one of the big five
composers, and the arrangements on
prove the validity of his inclusion among the elite. For fans of crossover style
calypso
, this album would be a perfect addition, with its overly varied repertoire covered. For newcomers, too, its crossover appeal might not be a bad introduction. ~ Adam Greenberg