Kobo Town's 'Independence' Awarded As One Of The Best CDs Of 2006

Toronto, Canada (Top40 Charts/ Indie Acoustic Project Award's) - Toronto-based, roots-calypso act Kobo Town has been selected as a finalist in the Indie Acoustic Project "Best CD's of 2006." Their CD, 'Independence' was one of only three albums to be recognized in the Lyrics category of the awards. Winners will be announced in late April, 2007. The Indie Acoustic Project celebrates the best in innovative, independent acoustic music. This comes on the heals of high-attendance, successful events by Kobo Town: Canadian Music Week "MusicDish 10th Anniversary" showcase in Toronto and "Music Is The Weapon" charity concert at Ottawa's Barrymore's Music Hall.

Brent Hagermank of Canada's Exclaim! magazine took note of Kobo Town's lyrical prowess when he wrote, "Like the great Calypsonians of his birthplace in Port-of-Spain (Lord Kitchener, the Mighty Sparrow), Toronto-based songwriter Drew Gonsalves constructs incisive social commentary with humour, panache and unforgettable rhythm/melody combinations."

Trinidadian-born Nick "The Brownman" Ali, one of Canada's most critically acclaimed jazz trumpet players, says, "I couldn't help but be struck with the sparse and languid vibrations, yet layered in vocal poignancy with lyrics embodying the best in the Trinidadian spirit of storytelling."

The Indie Acoustic Project Award's purpose is to raise awareness of indie artists and to recognize excellence in independent acoustic music from around the world. For more information, please visit www.indieacoustic.com

Named after the vibrant and turbulent neighborhood in old Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, where calypso was born, Kobo Town strives to recover the social conscience, satirical storytelling and strong acoustic/organic rhythms that characterized Trinidadian music in the past. For members of the eight-piece outfit, the name suggests an origin as well as a destination. Founded in 2006 by bandleader Drew Gonsalves, Kobo Town has received acclaim from the media (Blogcritics Best International Album of 2006) and radio airplay across Canada (CBC Radio One's "Fresh Air"), as well as being called on to perform at clubs and Festivals all over North America (Soul Jazz Festival in San Francisco).

Kobo Town's debut CD, 'Independence' draws heavily upon the sounds of traditional calypso, roots reggae and dub poetry. The album is a collection of stories which offer a running commentary on a wide variety of social and political themes including domestic violence, homelessness, globalization, the war on Iraq, and the various frustrations and betrayals of the post-colonial era. The music on 'Independence' showcases bottle and spoon rhythms, syncopated flute and violin melodies, strumming cuatros, and heavy reggae bass lines which indicate a marriage between West Indian music's old and new - a dialogue between a fading folkloric tradition and the sounds that prevail in our time.