Everyone’s path to discovering steelpan is different. Being an instrument with Caribbean roots has had its challenges in reaching those in distant places looking to learn more about it. One of the biggest ways people have learned more about steelpan music, aside from going to steelpan concerts, has been by listening to recordings.
If you’re a lover of classic steelpan music, you’ll likely know where I’m headed with this post. If not, you’re in for a treat. Here are the top 10 best albums that can teach you about steelband panorama. (Hint: most are from the same series of recordings.)
1. Carnival – Steelbands of Trinidad and Tobago
As if having one of the greatest Panorama arrangements of all time on this album wasn’t enough with Fire Down Below by Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, it also has a great mix of bands from Carib Tokyo playing the Ray Holman classic, My Band, to Amoco Renegades playing its winning Jit Samaroo arrangement of Somebody. This one will teach you about classic Panorama theme and variation structure while showcasing how classic pop arrangements sound in a full steel orchestra.
2. Steelbands of Trinidad and Tobago
Considered by many to be one of the greatest steelpan arrangements of all-time not to win Panorama, Jit Samaroo’s arrangement of Pan in A Minor solidified him as an instant legend but that’s not the only reason to listen to this one. While it offers up section after section of exciting licks, there’s also Boogsie’s Sunset and several pieces by Trinidad All-Stars, including their Panorama championship arrangement of The Hammer. Effectively, the album is a clinic put on by three master arrangers, Boogsie Sharpe, Leon Smooth Edwards and Jit Samaroo, to cover the possibilities of steel orchestra from small to large band arrangements.
3. Carnival Jump-Up: Steelbands of Trinidad & Tobago
The timre of this album is much brighter than some of the other albums on this list thanks to the party-like vibe the curator wanted to create with this collection of classics. There are some old-school throwbacks like a Tribute to Glenn Miller by Solo Harmonites and Doctor Zhivago: Lara’s Theme by Silver Stars to the Panorama-winning Boogsie original, Dis Feelin’ Nice, perhaps one of the most creative and inventive pieces ever written for pan. But don’t stop there, as you’d miss Ray Holman’s classic Carnival is for Woman, and the Pan in Me by Jit Samaroo and the Renegades, two pieces known for showcasing the quintessential styles of their respective arrangers.
4. Samaroo Jets: Quintessence
Not every steelband needs to have 120 players to get your blood flowing. This musical gem is the perfect example. Jit Samaroo, the genius panorama arranger who established one of the winningest bands in the history of the artform, recorded this album to showcase what one could do with a small band. This group competed in a national steelband competition against “Boogsie” Sharpe and Phase II Pan Group and won, proving size matters not when you have amazing arrangements and a tight band comprised of family members. Some tunes to take note of on this one include Tico Tico (Tico No Fuba), Portrait of Trinidad and Samaroo’s arrangement of the Lord Kitchener Classic, The Bee’s Melody.
5. Panorama ‘99
When I was a senior in high school my steelband director had a listening party for a few select students so they could hear what genius sounded like. This was a masterpiece album from start to finish with such works as In My House by the late, great Clive Bradley and Desperadoes, Carnival is We by Professor Philmore and Andy Narell’s first Panorama finals piece, Coffee Street, which was also his original, inspired by the band he arranged for, Skiffle Bunch and the street their panyard resides on. This double album has no shortage of classic pieces that changed the game and no doubt made the decision process for the judges a real head-scratcher that year. Do yourself a favor and lock yourself away without disruption to listen to this one in its entirety. You won’t regret it.
6. Pan Progress by Our Boys Steel Orchestra
Perhaps the most well-produced steelband album of its era, with producer credits going to Andy Narell, the album features a wide array of classic pieces. From the upbeat, yet surprisingly hip, Pan Progress, to the recording that introduced many (including me) to the “Boogsie” Sharpe classic, Sarah, each tune captures the instrumentation of the orchestra perfectly so you can hear every nuance of every part in each arrangement, including the iron playing in the engine room and the thumpiness of the bass pans, without any low-end distortion.
Perhaps the most complex arrangement is Narell’s own We Kinda Music, which opens with the kind of harmonic and rhythmic structure normally found in experimental music like that of Arnold Schoenberg or Phillip Glass. But once it gets moving, this version is just as thrilling as any other Panorama chart you’re likely to ever hear. The album also features a rich and moving rendition of “Boogsie” Sharpe’s soulful masterpiece, Cryin’, which is filled with tearful swells and emotional highpoints that will have you bawling (or at least thinking about it).
7. Pan Champs, Vol. 3
One of the greatest things about the steelpan world is how much great music is created by so few people. It seems like almost every piece of music on this album is an instant classic, even if you’ve never heard of it. Take “Boogie” Sharpe’s Hard Times, performed by Scherzando. This piece didn’t win but it deserves a spot on this list thanks to its hard-hitting variation and jam sections, impressively fast runs and fat grooves, all showcasing why Sharpe is one of the all-time greats. Also on this album were championship arrangements of Savannah Party by Pelham Goddard and Exodus, and Musical Volcano by Robert Greenidge and Desperadoes. There’s also Pan in the Party by Professor Philmore and Fonclaire, another brilliant arrangement by the late legend.
8. Pan Jazz ‘n’ Calypso
My personal favorite on the list, this one-band collection of both originals and pop-jazz arrangements is vintage Proff, showcasing some genius writing by Philmore and solid playing by Fonclaire. This album introduced an entire generation of pannists and arrangers to both Philmore’s unique arranging style and the tight, precise playing style of his band. Notable tunes here include an arrangement of Andy Narell’s We Kinda Music, the funky bass-driven Rhythm in the Groove and the classic original, Philmore’s Dream.
