VETERAN MUSICIAN Bert Panta Browne is taking his young colleagues to task for lack of musical creativity, saying that their use of only basic tuk rhythm and lyrics is a no-no if they want to go beyond Barbados’ shores.
However, he is holding up international star Rihanna as an artiste who blends lyrics, arrangement and melody to good effect, carving a niche for herself among young music-lovers across the world.
Commenting on what he is hearing from the local studios during Crop Over, Browne said: “I am a trained musician and I can’t hear music. What I really hear is just a tuk rhythm and then all of these lyrics on top of it. Li’l Rick is the perfect example of that – a tuk rhythm and nuff, nuff words.
“To me, that only satisfies the Barbados area, but if you want your music to go beyond Barbados you have to have a melody, lyrics that make sense, a hook line and arrangements.”
Browne told the MIDWEEK NATION: “We need to develop our music to a high level and standard to get somewhere. If you look at Rihanna, there is endless music, good arrangement, good production and melodies and she is still catering to young people.
“That is the standard where we should be at. We just put down a rhythm at 160 beats per minute and got men just singing a bunch of foolishness and then expect that that will take Barbados music somewhere.”
Browne on Monday announced his return to the tents for Crop Over, performing this year with Super Gladiators in the Party category.
“Year before Plastic Bag won with a beautiful melody and arrangement; that is what the people want,” he said. “That is where the youngsters should gear their writing. If you write good songs they would go far.”
Browne, manager of the now defunct Alien Forces calypso tent, has been away from the kaiso scene since 2000.
“I decided this year to do something – music is in my brain,” he said.
“I am doing all my recordings at home which I will be releasing with the Crop Over music.”
The compact disc has 14 instrumental jazz songs with a Caribbean fusion. (JS)
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