Calypso   •   Trinidad and Tobago

Explainer

Winston Henry’s career connects calypso tent performance with recordings such as Lorraine.

Explainer — original typographic artist card — original typographic artist card
Artwork: BouyonSoca · Credit & source ↗

Behind the music

The story so far.

Explainer was Winston Henry, a Trinidadian calypsonian whose recorded repertoire includes Lorraine and Ras Mass. In a tribute reported by the Trinidad Guardian, fellow performer Crazy recalled that he and Explainer auditioned in 1972 and were selected by Sylvester Taylor, manager of Sparrow’s Original Young Brigade tent. A TUCO statement quoted in the same report identified Rawlston Charles as the producer associated with those two songs. The Guardian also returned to its own July 2022 interview with Explainer, in which he explained that Lorraine drew on a relationship and his decision to leave New York for Carnival at home. That is the artist’s account of the song’s background, separate from the dates and versions assigned to later digital releases.

Sources & further reading
In the collection
Calypso

Beyond the listening picks

EXPLORE THE CATALOG.

Browse the release editions collected so far, with complete tracklists, dates and direct listening links. The catalog explains its source coverage and remaining gaps.

Browse the release catalog
A place to start

GET INTO
THE SOUND.

Two tracks to begin with. Listen on the original platform, then explore the rest of the catalog.

01

Lorraine

Explainer · Apple Music

Calypso
02

Ras Mas

Explainer · Apple Music

Calypso