DeLamo sings for the Lord

CALYPSO MUSIC has lost one of its greatest composers, former Monarch Franz Lamkin aka DeLamo, who has exited that cultural arena to get involved in gospel. DeLamo took his exit from calypso last August, several months after he was baptised in full gospel faith. He said he was baptised more than a year ago and after making that important step, he was inspired to get out of mainstream calypso and concentrate on anointed, gospel music. After composing such hits like “Ah Cyar Wine,” “Sodom and Gomorrah,” “Apocalypse,” “Don’t Bother To Come” and “Let The Children Play,” DeLamo has made a smooth transition to the gospel genre of music with his first release “Blessed Is The Man,” based on the words of Psalm One: Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. DeLamo came up with what he felt was a “good” version of the well known Psalm. The track was produced, mixed and mastered by Kenny Phillips at KMP Studios in South Trinidad. The gifted and popular composer explained, “God is pulling me into this ministry to testify on his behalf.  He is not a God of confusion and He wants me to do indigenous songs of praise from Trinidad and Tobago in such an excellent way that they must reach heaven. “I already have 30 gospel songs composed and I am working on a 17-track album. I am singing applied gospel -  songs that can be applied to day-to-day living, songs telling fathers to go home and spend time with their families.

“Preachers minister to their flocks on Sundays but are divorced from their day-to-day lives during the week. People are constantly struggling with salvation and daily issues. They need to hear things that will ease their burden.” DeLamo admits he is young in the gospel field and is like an infant but he is not selfish. He will compose music for others as he ministers in DeLamo Music Ministry. Asked if he misses the calypso arena, he quickly replied, “No, I am not missing it, I felt like I had to slow down and my calypso well was drying up.”

But how could a man who composed a song like “Let The Children Play” in 2005 feels his well is dry?  DeLamo said, “That’s just how I felt. No offence but our music is not up to international standards. I intend to try and change that. I have spent 25 years in the carnal world of music. The time is right to make things work now.” He added, “I have performed at several places and I feel the spirit of the Lord anointing my music... No longer am I restricted to verse and chorus and band chorus. I can rejoice in the music. “I have to do roots music and show a landmark of quality and all my works will be brought before the Lord.”