What does the music of Brazil, Cuba and Trinidad have in common? Sugarcane. You can say these euphoric ryhthms were essential to the survival of the Africans brought to the Americas to work the sugarcane fields in these countries. Today these rhythms persist, because they are regenerative and serve as sustenance for all in a stressful modern society. That's why you can’t have enough sugarcane; the music I mean, from Phil Hawkins’ Sugarcane Suite. As the commercial says, “Wanna get away?” Sit back, no, stand up with your favorite rum (fermented sugarcane) mixer and pop this CD into your player. It’ll make you feel like Friday. Some people write music hoping it will sound good on pan. Phil is one of those rare composers like Andy Narell that writes to the voice of the pan. The effect is that when you hear his music you immediately feel it belongs…like it’s been there all the time. Check out the first cut, ‘The Big Idea’ and you’ll see what I mean. With each cut Phil seems equally at ease serving up the different genres. But what I like most is how he presents calypso music on an equal footing with other traditional Latin jazz idioms from Brazil and Cuba. The authenticity of the production speaks volumes for Phil’s versatility and depth of comprehension of Afro-influenced music of the Americas.

You’ll have to agree with Calypsonian Crazy who sings on the cut “Pan Wisdom” when he says:  “Phil you have something here boy…this music is sweeter than sugarcane!”