Maurits Pauwels en de Benelux Calypsos is a Dutch-speaking music project led by the Belgian musician Mauro Pawlowski, formerly a guitarist for the acclaimed band dEUS. Known for his eclectic style and numerous musical endeavors, Pawlowski adopted the alter ego Maurits Pauwels to explore a sound deeply entrenched in a meld of singer-songwriter traditions with clear nods to Calypso music—an upbeat genre originating in the Caribbean. The project's name playfully combines the artist's pseudonym with the 'Benelux' region, comprising Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, possibly suggesting a fusion of cultural and musical influences particular to this European area.

The group’s oeuvre has a distinctly narrative quality, with lyrics often delving into storytelling, imbued with a blend of humor, satire, and socio-political commentary. Releases like "Tien Toppers Uit Trinidad" showcase their ability to evoke the spirit of distant Trinidad with a quirky local twist, while "Miranda" and "Zeven Lijken in Brussel-Noord" continue this trend, melding cultural sounds with distinctly Benelux-centric themes. The latter, translated to "Seven Corpses in Brussels-North," underscores a penchant for darkly comedic storylines set to the typically upbeat tempos of Calypso, reflecting a unique dichotomy that has become a signature trait of Maurits Pauwels en de Benelux Calypsos' music.

Genres

Belgian Modern Jazz

Latest Release

Tien Toppers Uit Trinidad

Maurits Pauwels en de Benelux Calypsos

Album - 10 Tracks - Released August 23, 2019