Long-time readers of Benn loxo will know that I have a thing for small, relatively unknown islands. Particularly those with a shaky or undefined political status. Rodrigues, Réunion, Seychelles, The Comoros.. and other places the late Bob Denard may have deposed a president.

You’ll imagine my smile, then, when a random playlist this morning turned up Oswin Chin Behilia, a singer/songwriter from the Netherlands Antilles.

These islands are nowhere near Africa, but hey, neither are Belize or Colombia. Plus they do share something in common with many African islands: good music, turbulent politics, and frequent change of ownership.

By December 2008 the Netherlands Antilles will no longer exist.

Oswin Chin Behilia is from the island of Curaçao which will become an autonomous nation within the Dutch kingdom along with Sint Maarten. Aruba pulled the same trick back in the 80s. The remaining islands, Saba, Bonaire, and Sint Eustatius, will be folded into the Netherlands around the same time – they’ll essentially be considered part of the Netherlands as “special” municipalities. Special, meaning everything but Dutch social security and a toleration for prostitution and homosexuality. Baby steps, I guess.

My question to Oswin: does this mean he’ll lose his knighthood from the Queen of the Netherlands?

Either way, hope you enjoy the music. He’s been playing music since the early 60s and continues to tour today so check him out if he ever comes through your town.. or just grab the album over at Calabash.

Oswin Chin Behilia – Bendishon Disfras