The Soul of Calypso

The derivation of the word calypso has never been accurately established though its closeness to the words "Carieto" of Carib origin, the French "Carrousseaux", the Spanish "Caliso" and the West African "Kaiso" a corruption of "Kaito" meaning "Bravo" suggests one of these sources or a mixture. The African source seems most likely because to this day whenever a good calypso is sung the crowd shouts "Kaiso"

The first Calypsonians date back to the eighteenth century but Calypso began to flourish at the dawn of the twentieth century. Early calypsos were sung in Patios (Broken French), but eventually English. Topics were mainly songs of protest and social commentary on events of the day.

During Carnival "call and response" type songs were composed known as "leggos" which later were titled road marches. Musically, Calypso is written in cut time (a strong followed by a weak beat) as opposed to 4/4 time of pop and rock. It is highly syncopated and the phrasing quite unique. Calypso now spans a broad spectrum from social and political commentary usually at a slow tempo to humorous, nationalistic, and up tempo part songs.

SOCA
"Soca" is calypso with rhythmic enhancements. It is characterized by the basic cut time of Calypso but features a syncopated intricate bass line as opposed to the "walking" bass, which is normally associated with traditional Calypso. The rhythmic enhancements provided by the percussion also add to the "Soca" feel. There is also some variation in the playing of the kick drum, especially in the use of double beats, which has have introduced in recent years.

When first initiated by calypsonian Ras Shorty I, he experimented with the marriage of Indian and African Rhythms. The composition "Endless Vibrations" by Ras Shorty I is typical of what was accepted as Soca in its early years. Over the years Soca has been interpreted to be "the Soul of Calypso".

Today most arrangers agree that Soca is inherent in almost all party songs created, and that it is incorporated in both the slow jam and up-tempo calypso.

http://www.tuco.co.tt/calypso.htm