Typically Tropical

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Typically Tropical had a number one UK hit in August 1975 with the song "Barbados".

The band, which was really a duo comprising Max West & Jeff Calvert, who had met through West's band Quasar. They would write and record songs at Morgan Studios, where Calvert worked with his father, when no-one else was around. Calvert had been on holiday in Barbados and based the song on his experiences. It was recorded with various session musicians, including guitarist Chris Spedding.

Although the song, featuring mock vocals by Captain Tobias Wilcox of Coconut Airways, was far from being genuine reggae it was originally intended to be released on Trojan, but the little known record label Gull Records came up with a better offer (reportedly £1,500). "Barbados" was ready for release in November 1974, but the label thought it best to wait until the next summer before releasing it. A wise decision.

"Barbados" entered the UK singles chart on July 5, 1975 and five weeks later was at No.1 for one week. In total "Barbados spent 11 weeks in the UK chart.

The follow-up singles "Rocket Now" and "Ghost Story" failed to chart and the duo went their separate ways. Ironically, Max West subsequently became a pilot, although not with Coconut Airways!

"Barbados" was later covered by the Vengaboys in 1999 as "We're Going to Ibiza"

[edit] Reference

• Guinness Book of British Hit Singles 7th Edition - 1988

Preceded by: "Give A Little Love" by Bay City Rollers

UK number one single August 3, 1975

Succeeded by: "I Can't Give You Anything (But My Love)" by The Stylistics