Esso

• Artist: The Esso Trinidad Steel Band
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1971
• Genre: World

Review

Produced by Van Dyke Parks, the Esso Trinidad Steel Band's self-titled LP is a wonderfully funky collection of calypso-inspired renditions of pop hits like the Jackson 5's "I Want You Back" and Simon & Garfunkel's "Cecilia." The sheer magnitude and intricacy of the steel drumming is astounding. The two-dozen percussionists are like cogs in a colossal machine, each working in perfect harmony with the others and all of them essential to the outcome. Parks' sun-kissed production contributes mightily to the overall party vibe. This music is the tropical fantasia of the collective unconscious. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Apeman	Ray Davies	The Esso Trinidad Steel Band	(2:26)
If You Let Me Make Love to You Then Why Can't I Touch You?		The Esso Trinidad Steel Band	(3:01)
Ride on Sammy		The Esso Trinidad Steel Band	(2:54)
Simple Calypso		The Esso Trinidad Steel Band	(4:28)
Cecilia	Paul Simon	The Esso Trinidad Steel Band	(2:48)
I Want You Back	The Corporation	The Esso Trinidad Steel Band	(2:19)
Sabre Dance	Aram Khachaturian	The Esso Trinidad Steel Band	(2:09)
Come to the Sunshine	Van Dyke Parks	The Esso Trinidad Steel Band	(1:21)
Erasmus B. Black	Francisco Slinger	The Esso Trinidad Steel Band	(2:56)
If I Had the Wings (Like a Dove)		The Esso Trinidad Steel Band	(3:15)
Singer Man	The Kingstonians	The Esso Trinidad Steel Band	(3:03)
Aquarium		The Esso Trinidad Steel Band	(2:36)

Credits

Van Dyke Parks (Producer), Van Dyke Parks (Liner Notes), The Esso Trinidad Steel Band (Main Performer), Kendrick Headley (Arranger), Kendrick Headley (Leader), Kirby Johnson (Arranger), Keith Davis (?), Mark Wheaton (Mastering), Douglas Brian Martin (Art Direction), Douglas Brian Martin (Design), Knolly "Rubadub" Williams (?), Harold Headley (?), Derrick Tomothy (?), Lennox Timothy (?), Clyde Borde (?), Winston Callendar (?), Godfrey Clarke (?)