T-Shirts
Description: Replica of the original shopping bag design from Rhyner's, the iconic record shop founded by Hilton D. Rhyner in 1938, occupying 54 Prince Street in Port of Spain until 2006. More than just a record shop, Rhyner's was a hangout for calypsonians and calypso fans from across Trinidad and beyond.
Description: 1980s-era design from the legendary Straker's record store and label based in Brooklyn, New York. Straker's roster of artists included Shadow, Black Stalin, Chalkdust, Cro Cro, All Rounder, The Rebels, Singing Francine, Calypso Rose, Winston Soso, Machel Montano, and many more. Straker's "Disco Sounds - Hottest Soca Around" tagline adorned many record sleeves of the 1980s calypsoca era.
Description: 1980s-era design from the legendary Straker's record store and label based in Brooklyn, New York. Straker's roster of artists included Shadow, Black Stalin, Chalkdust, Cro Cro, All Rounder, The Rebels, Singing Francine, Calypso Rose, Winston Soso, Machel Montano, and many more. Straker's "Disco Sounds - Hottest Soca Around" tagline adorned many record sleeves of the 1980s calypsoca era.
Description: The historic "Calypso" record label was set up in 1953 by Trinidadian entrepreneur Aubrey Christopher and American music mogul Ross Russell, who is known for founding the famous jazz label Dial. Calypso's short 78rpm series included recordings by Mighty Terror, Small Island Pride, and Mighty Viper. The success of this series led to Christopher's decision to found his own label, the legendary Kay, in 1955. Pay tribute to these calypso pioneers with this replica label design.
Description: Classic logo of the Trinidadian record label Kay, which produced calypso recordings during the 1950s from Christopher Recording and Radio Service, Nelson Street, Port of Spain. Famous for launching the career of Mighty Sparrow, and supporting the careers of many other beloved artists of Trinidad such as Lord Melody, Lord Christo, Cyril Diaz and Fitz Vaughan Bryan.
Description: A tribute to a pioneering calypsonian of the early 20th century. From the 1920s on through the 1940s, Wilmoth Houdini recorded many memorable calypsos including "Uncle Joe Gimme Mo'", "Bobby Sox Idol", "Arima Tonight, Sangre Grande Tomorrow Night", "Poor But Ambitious", and the catchy "Gin And Cocoanut Water" which adorns this design.
Description: Logo of the classic calypso label National Record Company, operated by the Mighty Sparrow and home to such artists as Lord Nelson, Mighty Terror, Zandolee, and many more. The logo is a replica of the centre label design found on countless NRC vinyl records of the 1960s and '70s, proudly comprised of Trinidad and Tobago's national colours.
Description: Celebrate the winner of Trinidad's 1964 Carnival Road March competition with this vintage-style commemorative design. After returning home to Trinidad from England in the early 1960s, Lord Kitchener made a calypso comeback with catchy Road March hits such as "The Road" and "My Pussin". 1964's "Mama This Is Mas" is a true classic, not only clinching the Road March prize but also becoming the winning composition at that year's Panorama steelband competition.
Description: Classic logo of the Trinidadian record label Vitadisc, which produced calypso and steelband recordings during the 1950s and '60s from Vital Angel's studio in Maraval. Their regular slogan was "You'll Sure Love The Rhythm." Vitadisc recording artists included Mighty Sparrow, Lord Melody, Mighty Spoiler, Mighty Dictator, Mighty Viper, and Cyril Diaz.
Description: Original poster design for a concert given at Rockland Palace Ballroom on October 1st 1949. Just east of the famous Sugar Hill in Manhattan's Harlem neighborhood, audiences were treated to modernist piano genius Thelonious Monk and his new Sextet plus Trinidadian calypso legend Patrick MacDonald, best known as Macbeth The Great. A forgotten piece of jazz and calypso history from the New York scene!
