El Martiniqueño

A nice big band merengue based on "Sly Mongoose," exemplifying links between various styles of music in the Caribbean archipelago. Perhaps "Sly Mongoose" entered the Dominican Republic through West Indian laborers, or the appeal of calypso bands. Either way, it's an infectious song!

All For You, E.T. Mensah and Black Atlantic Musical Currents

A beautiful example of Black Atlantic musical exchange from one of my favorite highlife orchestras, E.T. Mensah & The Tempos. Their song, "All For You," is based on the melody from the Caribbean tune, "Sly Mongoose." In addition to entering the highlife repertoire, "Sly Mongoose" surfaced in US jazz recordings, too, such as this lively rendition from Charlie Parker and Jack Sneed & His Sneezers. Don't forget to hear Lord Invader's take and Sam Manning's.