Boogsie - Phase2 Boogsie

Mr Bongo reissues, in full for the first time, a pioneering Trinidadian steelband album from 1979 - masterminded by the key and highly influential calypso / soca steelpan player, Len "Boogsie" Sharpe, Phase2 showcases Boogsie's innovative fusion of jazz, funk and Caribbean rhythms in stunning style. Dubbed 'the Mozart of Pan' by Wynton Marsalis, Boogsie began playing pan at the age of five and composed his own music by the age of nine years old. Across a long and illustrious career, he has won seven National Panorama Championships in Trinidad and Tobago with his compositions and band, a world Steelband Music Festival with his original compositions "In the Rainforest", and two Notting Hill Panorama Championships with Mangrove Steel Orchestra. Over the years he has also played with Andre Tanker, Lord Shorty, Lord Kitchener, Leston Paul, Clive Zanda, and other amazing Caribbean greats. Len became an arranger for the National Steelband of Trinidad and Tobago and is a cultural ambassador for the country promoting the instrument.

Phase2 is built up predominantly of original compositions by Boogsie, alongside a track penned by fellow Trinidadian musician Raf Robertson and an outstanding Trinidadian-disco cover version of Roy Ayers' classic 'Can't You See Me'. Phase II is the name of the band Boogsie started with six of his friends who sought to compose their own music.

Drenched in feel-good island-life energy, the eight tracks showcase Boogsie's creative approach to the pan and its ability to elevate the flavour of a host of genres not usually associated with the instrument.'Can't You See Me' is an underground disco banger that has become highly sought-after. It's no surprise why, with pan injecting Caribbean heat to Ayers' original. When rare groove DJs picked up on it and began playing it in their sets, it introduced Boogsie's talents to a wider audience.

Far from a one-track wonder, there is plenty more to dig into on the album. The cosmic jazz-funk of 'Boogie Kaiso' is pure brilliance. Starting off with a soul-nourishing piano introduction, it drops into a super deep, addictive, pan-infused disco groove which has Cloud One-esque vibes to it. The composition sounds fresh and is the perfect secret weapon for the dancefloor. Elsewhere, 'Weight' is another highlight. A sweet, catchy jazz-funk dancer with some sublime playing throughout. 'Yoga Styling' and 'Punk Party' kick off with brilliant breaks, before opening out into grooves rich in leftfield disco swagger, hypnotic musicianship and blistering pan solos by Boogsie. Then there's 'Celebration', reminiscent of a mix between a Stevie Wonder song and a calypso classic, with amazing, relaxed, but on-point funk drumming by Richard Bailey. Providing a moment to pause for breath, 'Passing Time' is meditative and deep with just Boogsie on the pan, a moment of relaxed and regenerative calm on the record.

Whether you're already familiar with the iconic sound of Len "Boogsie" Sharpe or are discovering his magic for the first time, we hope you get inspired by this masterpiece from one of the best in their craft.