Devine to launch kaiso

The Progress of Winsford Devine: A Collection of Caribbean Lyrics, is a long awaited book that salutes the sterling contributions of one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most prolific composers, Winsford “Joker’’ Devine.
The book is largely a collection of lyrics with commentary by cultural researcher and producer Alvin Daniell with input by David Michael Rudder and other cultural icons.
Devine has written more than 80 songs for the Mighty Sparrow, including some that brought him the calypso crown. Among them are Miss Mary, Phillip My Dear, Isolate South Africa, Marajihn and London Bridge. It was with Devine’s work that calypso superstar Machel Montano launched his professional career. Machel debuted with recordings of Devine’s irreverent Too Young to Soca and Take Me Back Africa.
In addition to these classics, there are more than 500 other songs written by Devine some of which have sent calypsonians to the National Calypso Monarch finals 18 times. Devine, whose signature composition, “Progress” was voted “Calypso of the Millennium’’ by the Trinbago Unified Calypso Organisation (TUCO) has taken an integral role in the production of the book and is both anxious and excited about its release. “We are honoured to have this opportunity to salute such an outstanding cultural ambassador who has influenced four generations of calypso artistes,” said Jamil Asinia, executive at Mayaro Imprint, a Caribbean-dedicated publishing firm committed to enhancing the publishing industry in TT.
Nandi Ogunlade, another Mayora Imprint executive, who also edited the book, is encouraged by its potential impact on culture and society.
“As a nation we have conquered every avenue of music recording and concert promotion,” she said. “We at Mayaro Imprint believe that the time has come to put a similar effort into the publishing industry, thus affording us another avenue for preserving our culture.”
The Progress of Winsford Devine: A Collection of Caribbean Lyrics will be officially launched tomorrow at the National Library in Port-of-Spain. Similar events are planned for New York and Canada during the summer.