(old) de cooler : soca news

De cooler socanews is moving!

2005-03-20T22:35:00.000+01:00

We are moving to a new adress: decooler.com. Please update your links and feed.
The redirector socanews.de.tt points to the new adress from now on. If you are using the FeedBurner - Feed, you can stick to it, we'll update it to the new adress.
The archive for 2003 and 2004 stays here on the old adress. Thanks for your understanding.

de cooler crew

Dead Or Alive on Video

2005-03-17T19:16:00.000+01:00

Shurwayne Winchester and his band Caribbean Traffik Jam worked last week on the video of the roadmarch song 2k5 "Dead Or Alive" which will be released in April. As last year with "De Band Coming", they hope that they will win again in the "Soca Video Production" category at Soca Awards.

The Nookie Man goes international?

2005-03-17T18:29:00.000+01:00

With his big 2004 hit "Nookie" the vincy artist Jamesy P. is heading for international success. It is said that he already signed a record deal.

Hail the soca queen Alison Hinds

2005-03-17T18:19:00.000+01:00

Read why Alison Hinds is the soca queen (article). Still, the main question is: What will happen to Square One?

Soca Warriors coming

2005-03-17T14:56:00.000+01:00

Another tune for the Trinbagonian football team Soca Warriors: Bunji Garlin voiced a tune on the Pot of Gold - Riddim called "Warriors coming". Check it out on Trini Bashment.

New post-carnival Riddims

2005-03-17T13:22:00.000+01:00

Usually most soca productions are released near a carnival. This year we have to nice riddims which came shortly after this years Trinidad season:
Mystic Riddim is a nice slowtempo soca riddim with steel drums. Best tunes are "Soca" by Mr. Slaughter and Nicky Cordner's "Only you".
Remember Elephant Man's "Bun Badmin", which was the most played tune of Notting Hill Carnival 2004? This riddim came out on several labels over the years. Now there's a soca version: Soca Tabernacle. Featured artists are Bunji Garlin ("Wave something"), Wanski, Fayann and more.

Soca CD Project - Relaunch

2005-03-15T17:06:00.000+01:00

The Soca CD Project, a database for - you guessed it - Soca CDs has relaunched its website. The Site features an archive of plenty records, often including Soundsamples, as well as a newsblog - definitely worth checking out.

Caribbean Warriors

2005-03-08T14:38:00.000+01:00

The German soccer magazine Kicker writes about the Soca Warriors and Trinidad & Tobago. Funny thing about this is the translation of "Soca Warriors": Fußball Krieger (soccer warriors).. Kicker might know a lot about football, but they lack the basics in music. :D

15th Annual Rapso Fest

2005-03-08T12:05:00.000+01:00

Veteran Rapso artist Brother Resistence
The Festival for Rapso and the Oral Tradition, Rapso Fest, will take place from May 1 -12. The festival, in its 15th year, will pay tribute to Felix Edinborough for his contribution to the promotion of the Pierrot Grenade tradition.

Traditional mas characters explained

2005-02-27T13:29:00.000+01:00

In the current issue of the BWIA - magazine Caribbean Beat you can find a nice article about traditional carnival characters of Trinidad: from Burrokeets and Dame Lorraine to Midnite Robbers.

Guyana carnival canceled

2005-02-26T21:31:00.000+01:00

Due to the floods in Guyana several fetes and the main carnival procession have been canceled!

[ad] 2k5 Soca CDs now available at faluma.com

2005-02-20T18:22:00.000+01:00

Visit faluma.com to check all new 2k5 Soca CDs from Trinidad Carnival.

Shurwayne does it again

2005-02-09T14:45:00.000+01:00

Shurwayne Winchester has become the first Soca Artiste to repeat as winner of the Roadmarch competition since the legendary Superblue did it from 1991 to 1993. Shurwayne's Tune "Dead Or Alive" was by far the most played Tune along the judging points, leaving no chance to other contenders like Destra's "Fly", Machel Montano's "Madder Than Dat" or KMC's "First Experience".

Chalkdust wins Calypso Monarch

2005-02-08T20:43:00.000+01:00

Hollis Liverpool aka Chalkdust won at the Dimanche Gras Calypso Monarch competition on Sunday, singing "I In Town Too Long" And "Ah Doh Rhyme". Second finished Cro Cro (Weston Rawlins) with his songs "Oh Grenada" and "Chop Off Yuh Hand", while Singing Sandra (Sandra Des Vignes) came in third.

Phase II wins Panorama Finals

2005-02-06T19:50:00.000+01:00

Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove with Arranger Len "Boogsie" Sharpe won at the Panorama Finals last night, playing "Trini Gone Wild" by Colin Lucas. They finished ahead of Sagicor Exodus, who played "From Beyond" by De Fosto, arranged by Pelham Goddard; third were Witco Desperadoes with their Clive Bradley-arranged version of Oba's "Action".

Bunji defends Soca Monarch title

2005-02-05T14:06:00.000+01:00

Bunji Garlin has defended his title as International Soca Monarch with a spectacular performance. Making his entrance from top of the stage on a plattform that was surrounded by fireworks, he went on to perform "Blaze Di Fire", including several verses written especially for the event. Coming in second, just as last year, was Shurwayne Winchester (again only one point behind Bunji in the jury's rating), who sang "Dead Or Alive". Iwer George with "Ease The Tension" placed third.
Earlier in the evening, Michelle Silvester beat H2O Phlo and Blackie for the title of Groovy Soca Monarch, performing "Sleeping In Your Bed".

Race for Roadmarch stays close

2005-02-04T14:12:00.000+01:00

The race for this years Roadmarch title seems to be very close. While "Dead Or Alive" by Shurwayne Winchester (last seasons winner with "De Band Coming") is the favourite right now, drawing massive reactions whenever it is played, others are also still in contention. Especially "First Experience" by KMC is also reported to receive much love from the carnival crowd. The Guardian currently lists these five Tunes as the hottest contenders:

Shurwayne Winchester - Dead Or Alive
KMC - First Experience
Iwer George - Water
Machel Montano - Madder Than That
Destra Garcia - Fly

Calypso Monarch Finalists

2005-01-31T17:13:00.000+01:00

The Finalists for the Calypso Monarch competition on Carnival Sunday are:

Sandra Des Vignes (Singing Sandra)
Michael Osouna (Sugar Aloes)
Weston Rawlins (Cro Cro)
Carlos James (Skatie)
Brian London
Devon Seale
Allan Fortune (Brother Mudada)
Winston Scarborough (De Fosto)
Lesley Ann Ellis
Roger Mohammed (Bodyguard)
Franz Lambkin (Delamo)

Reserves are Winston Henry (Explainer) and Edwin Ayoung (Crazy).

Invasion doesn't back Fay-Ann

2005-01-30T15:47:00.000+01:00

After Fay-Ann Lyons quitted as singer of the band Invasion a few weeks ago, there has been new trouble between singer and band. At a club performance in San Fernando on Friday night, the band members unplugged their instruments and walked off stage as Fay-Ann was coming on to perform. “When I came onstage to sing, they got vexed, packed up their instruments and walked off the stage, steupsing,” Fay-Ann is quoted. Invasion singer Naya George states that the band didn't know they were supposed to back Fay-Ann, who went on to perform without the band.

New Albums by Machel and Maximus Dan

2005-01-28T17:06:00.000+01:00

The new albums from Machel Montano and Maximus Dan, titled "The Xtatik Experience" and "Man Of Fire" respectively, are being released these days, featuring their hits from the current carnival season. Included on "The Xtatik Experience" for example are "You" and "Madder Than That" as well as collaborations by Machel with Wyclef Jean, Doug. E. Fresh and Rikki Jai. "Man Of Fire" (released Jan. 20th) sports Tunes such as the already known "Building Shake", "Royal" or "Zion" as well as unreleased Songs like "Moving On", "Mean It" (a cover of the 80s Madonna Hit "Holiday") and the title Tune.

Soca Monarch People's Choice Awards with online vote

2005-01-27T16:22:00.000+01:00

Islandevent.com presents a new award: the Soca Monarch People's Choice Awards. It takes place on Fantastic Friday. There will be also an online vote on islandevents.com from Friday January 28, 2005 on.
[see also Trinidad Express]

Tobago Calypso Monarch finalists

2005-01-27T16:19:00.000+01:00

The finalists for the Tobago Calypso Monarch competition in Scarborough are:
* Kenrick Andrews
* Sherwin Cunningham
* Leslie Ann Ellis
* Wendy Ann Thomas-Garrick
* Ingrid Braithwaite-John
* Rheena Riley
* Henson Wright (Calypso Prince)

Soca Warriors on their journey to Germany

2005-01-26T23:50:00.000+01:00

In two weeks from now our favorite football team Soca Warriors will face the soccer team from the US. For the mental support Ronnie Macintosh did the tune "Deutschland" (means Germany where the World Championship is held). Now there's an official answer version from Germany by the MashUp Crew feat. Volkanik:"Soca Warriors (Who de stars?)". Part of the lyrics are in German.
And there's another Soca Warriors tune by comedian and actor Nigel ‘Frame’ Fabien, produced by JaQuzzi: "Time fuh Germany".

Maximus Dan the ragga soca General

2005-01-26T13:52:00.000+01:00

An interesting interview with Maximus Dan in the Trinidad Guardian.

Impulse is Young King Calypso Monarch

2005-01-26T13:38:00.000+01:00

The controversal singer Impulse won the Young King Calypso Monarch (by the National Action Cultural Committee(NACC))with his song "Shadow Jumbie". Second is Abbi Blackman (with "Ah seeing"), who won the National Calypso Queen title last week. 3rd place won Jervae Caesar doing “Pioneers of Emancipation".

Rampartap captures chutney soca crown

2005-01-24T13:00:00.000+01:00

Heeralal Rampartap has won the International Chutney Soca Monarch for a third time. He copped the title after performing his two hit selections Kay-Paharie and Run For Meh Life, before a large and appreciative crowd at Skinner Park, San Fernando.

Soca Monarch Finalists Announced

2005-01-24T10:59:00.000+01:00

No Destra, no KMC and again no Maximus will take part in the international soca monarch finals. But two of them, KMC with his band Red, White & Black and Maximus Dan, will appear as guest stars together with Island Vibes featuring Ronnie McIntosh. Only Timmy (Barbados) represents the remain of the soca-islands, he's the only non-Trini, who is still in the competition. For the first time the Groovy Soca Monarch contest take place this year - it features the "R'n'B"/mid-tempo soca like Jamsey P's "Nookie". All competitors at islandevents.com
[ Discussion at imix ]

Dawg E Slaughter: Interview

2005-01-21T14:17:00.000+01:00

Islandevents.com did a short interview with soca artist Dawg E Slaughter. Read the interview

Carnival on D'Promenade

2005-01-20T13:54:00.000+01:00

The Trinidadian daily morning show on TV 6, Carnival on D'Promenade is now fully online as videostream. Watch all the shows from the past few weeks.

One of my favorite is the Maximus Dan performance. Check out also Cro Cro's new tune Chop yuh hand off.

Edwin Yearwood signs with VP Records

2005-01-18T01:03:00.000+01:00

VP Records has announced that they have signed Soca superstar Edwin Yearwood to their Waistline Music division. The six album deal was arranged with the Krosfyah co-founder and lead singer, with the first album expected to drop sometime in 2005.

Welcome to Knycky Cordner's world

2005-01-17T23:48:00.000+01:00

Knycky Cordner, model, beauty queen, actress, TV show host, songwriter, gospel/soca/reggae/chutney artist, is writing a book. It's about the local music industry, "an exposé kind of thing", she says.

Explainer Album - Looking Back

2005-01-17T20:39:00.000+01:00

The soon to be released CD "Looking Back" from veteran calypsonian Explainer is his 23rd album release. The 16-track compilation is a mix of vintage work and new releases, themes ranging from the behaviour of elected representatives in "Kicksing in Parliament", to provocative jibes of new songs like "Broken", and the controversy-baiting "Plain Talk". There's is also a collaboration with Bunji Garlin (remake of "Lorraine") on the Album

Machel Montano & Wyclef Jean

2005-01-17T16:24:00.000+01:00

The first tune of the collaboration Machel Montano's with Wyclef Jean is now on air. It's a remix of the carnival 2005 tune "You".

New Constant Pressure SupaSoca MixCD

2005-01-15T15:47:00.000+01:00

Germany's Soca-Soundsystems Constant Pressure SupaSoca released their new Mix-CD which features the Hits of Soca Summer 2004. It contains the best of Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia & St. Vincent. The CD is distributed exclusivly by Faluma.com - click & listen to the Mix

Fire Studio launched

2005-01-15T13:55:00.000+01:00

Iwer George launched the Fire Studio in Newtown last Thursday. The music studio also includes a broadcast studio for Trini Bashment Radio. Many artists came to the opening party: Rupee, Shurwayne Winchester, Candy Hoyte, Lil Bits, Patch, Derrick Seales, Tony Prescott, Sean Caruth and Jamsey P of Grenada.

Will Bunji defend Soca Monarch title?

2005-01-15T13:47:00.000+01:00

Soca Monarch 2004 Bunji Garlin said that his decision to defend his title this year is conditional. The backstage area is far below the standarts. Artists don't have facilities to change clothes, no mirror and no parking.

tagging soca

2005-01-15T13:33:00.000+01:00

The weblog blogosphere is a whole universum of technical goodies. One is called "tagging". Links and articles are connected to tags. Sites like del.icio.us or flickr offer tagging. His helps you finding things faster.
For example if you wanna see photos on flickr tagged with "soca", you see this.
The new tagging service at technorati.com doesn't know the tags soca and calypso. Yet! All soca blogger please paste this link in your article to appear on technorati.

TriniMuse weblog

2005-01-14T14:47:00.000+01:00

Another weblog which deals with soca and Caribbean culture: TriniMuse (atom feed) - Welcome!
Check out the article on Sampling and roadmarch.

Christmas Riddim now Carnival Riddim

2005-01-14T13:20:00.000+01:00

Remember the Christmas Riddim? Well, this killer riddim is now back under the name "Carnival Riddim". No parang and christmas tunes this time.. check out General Grant's "Fete to Fete". This one will definatelly be hot for this season!

Soca Escape Riddim video on air

2005-01-13T11:50:00.000+01:00

Finally the video to the Japanese-Trinidadian production "Soca Escape Riddim" (we reported) is finished and will be on air soon. The clip has six parts:
H2O Phlo - Move Your Body, KMC ft. Jungle - Man Still Love You, Maximus Dan - Big Man, Faye-Ann Lyons - Ain't See Nothing, Bunji Garlin & Benjai - In My Brain and Mr. Slaughter - Don't Play Dat.

Xtatik is not dissolving

2005-01-13T11:38:00.000+01:00

Yesterdays article in the Guardian which said that Xtatik is dissolving is not correct. In the Trinidad Express Machel Montano said that he was misquoted. Since there is only Machel Montano left as a front singer in the band, Xtatik will change to a new Xtatik focussing on Machel.
The article is not online, but you can check this scan (found at Soca Backchat).

Soca Monarch Semi-Finalists Announced

2005-01-13T11:33:00.000+01:00

Caribbean Prestige for the Performing Arts announced the semi-finalists for the National Lottery Classic International Soca Monarch Competition and International Groovy Soca Monarch 2005. The semi-finals for both competitions take place on Saturday 15, January at Skinner Park, San Fernando.

All contestants at islandevents.com

Roger George joins Invazion

2005-01-13T11:29:00.000+01:00

Former Xtatik and Pure Energy vocalist Roger George has joined Invazion. This was announced yesterday by Naya George, leader and vocalist with the Point-Fortin-based band.

Chutney Soca Finalists

2005-01-11T18:50:00.000+01:00

The 15 artistes selected for the grand finals are: Adesh Samaroo, Boyie Basdeo, Budram Holass, Carlene Wells, Denise Belfon, Devanand Gattoo, Edward Ramdass, Heeralal Rampartap, Lynn Khan, Mario Jitman, Neeshan Prabhoo, Phoolmattie Ramjattan, Rooplal Girdharrie, Sarika Mahabir and Surendra Ramoutar.

The Finals take place at Skinner Park, San Fernando on January 22

Will Machel Montano dissolve Xtatik?

2005-01-11T11:18:00.000+01:00

Again, Machel Montano is thinking about a solo career without Xtatik. He is the only left from the original Xtatik members. Vincent Rivers is now with Asylum Band, and Farmer Nappy just released his solo album.
Machel Montano did songs with US-rappers Doug-E-Fresh and Wyclef Jean. So no jump-n-wave material can be expected this season. Machel's focus is more on positive lyrics. He said that his visits to Brasil changed him mentality.

Today: 33 for Chutney Monarch semi-finals

2005-01-08T15:47:00.000+01:00

Soca diva, Denise “Saucy Wow” Belfon was among 32 other individuals selected to take part in the semi-final round of the 2005 National Lotteries Classic Chutney Soca Monarch scheduled for Saturday 8 January, 2005 at the Rienzi Complex, Couva.

All contestants at islandevents.com

No samples in roadmarch tunes

2005-01-08T13:56:00.000+01:00

The Copyright Organisation of Trinidad and Toboago (COTT) changed their distribution rules. Songs including copyrighted material from another source will be held in suspense as long as there is no written authorisation for use of the sample.

This is nothing new in the (international) world of publishing rights, but especially in the last few years Trinidadian artists claimed ownership for adapted songs. As a result of this it was not possible to release the songs legally on the international market without "clearing" the sample.

This new rule effects the roadmarch competition where artists often use well-known hooklines from pop songs as ear-catcher. Not one single tune of the last few years was cleared by the original owner.

The discussion about foreign material in carnival tunes started last year at about the same time. Many hit tunes contained samples and melodies from pop songs (remember Destra's 'Bonnie and Clyde', adapted from A-Ha). The TUCO announced a rule for the roadmarch competition, that tunes must not include foreign material.

RIP Blakie

2005-01-08T13:41:00.000+01:00

The famous calypsonnian Carlton Joseph aka Lord Blakie died this week. Blakie aged 72 lost a long-running battle against prostate cancer.
He won the road march titlein 1962 with "Maria", which was the only tune between 1956 and 1977, other than Sparrow or Lord Kitchener, to win the title. Another popular tune is "Steelband Clash" which deals with the violent fights between the steelbands.
Among his other memorable tunes were "Send Them Back", "Something Wrong", "Warlord" and "Hold the Pussy".

Trini skin foreign mask?

2005-01-07T13:24:00.000+01:00

Another traditionalist stance in the "Soca is dead" - debate.
As I said earlier, soca started as a crossover of different elements (calypso, indian music and new studio technology of the 70s). What's wrong now with soca getting new elements from other sounds? As long as it keeps its soul (and has some brass ;) ). Maximus Dan for example is using reggae elements - but his music has pure soca spirit.

If soca doesn't update it's formula it will end in the museum.

In the article David Rudder was mentioned as the last true soca artist. No doubt Rudder is one of the biggest soca artists ever, but wasn't that him who had a pop sound designed for the international market?
[via "Where HipHop and Libertarianism meet"]

Btw. CaribPundit is another weblog focused on Caribbean and soca.. Welcome!

Cro Cro's tent open

2005-01-07T13:00:00.000+01:00

The well-known calypsonian and parang singer Scrunter debuts as an tent-manager. Tonight his tent opens for the public with the premiere performance of The Icons at Skinner Park, San Fernando.

Big pan bands against "old songs campain"

2005-01-07T11:33:00.000+01:00

Some of the most important steel bands protest against the president of PanTrinbago, Patrick Arnold. He had the idea of requesting bands to play old songs only. Protesters are Exodus (winner of the larger bands), Despers, Renegades, Redemption Soundsetters of Tobago, Phase-2, Tropical Angel Harps (Medium Band category), Silver Stars (Medium) and Merrytones.

Rupee has plans

2005-01-07T11:21:00.000+01:00

Due to the positive feedback in the US, Bajan singer Rupee seems to have many plans for the future. He wants to launch an own clothing line, a record label to support young Caribbean artists, and he's also thinking about a role in a Hollywood movie.
Currently his "Enjoy yourself" and "Tempted to touch" can be heard in the movie "After the sunset".

Saucy Wow in rum advertisments

2005-01-06T22:28:00.000+01:00

The rum destillery Angostura has signed an endorsement deal with Denise Belfon to promote some of it's products.

No Pan Kaiso competitions in 2005

2005-01-06T22:21:00.000+01:00

Both competitions for entertainers singing pan songs, Pan Trinbago's "Pan Kaiso" and TUCO's (Trinbago Unified Calypsonian Organisation) "Kaiso for Pan", where cancelled for this year. Reason is the poor attendance in the last years.

St. Kitts Carnival 2004/2005 Results

2005-01-05T10:15:00.000+01:00

The National Calypso Monarch: King Socrates (read article on sknvibes.com)
Party Monarch: King Smiley
Female Bacchanal Crown: Singing Jackie (article)
Roadmarch: Grandmasters - Tek U Money Wutt
A small photo gallery can be found here

Fay-Ann now solo career

2005-01-05T10:07:00.000+01:00

In an interview to the Guardian on monday she said that she is working on a solo career now. She left Invazian because she wanted to do something new. Fay-Ann also said that she might join a band .in future
Invazion bandleader Naya George said the band was in full support of Fay-Ann's decision.

Fay-Ann left Invazion

2005-01-03T11:46:00.000+01:00

Rumours say that Fay-Ann Lyons is breaking up with Invazion. It is still unconfirmed, but she failed to show up at an show with the band last weekend.
Fay-Ann said that she will comment her status in the band within the next few days.

El-a-Kru with new front singer

2004-12-25T13:53:00.000+01:00

Since three members left the band (drummer Samuel "Sam" Kirby, bass player Everton "Ossie" Benjamin and front singer Byke), the Antiguan had to seek for replacement. New front singer is Junior "Nature Kid" Edwards, famous for his hit "Wave It".

Soca Escape Riddim released.

2004-12-22T13:54:00.000+01:00

The Hemo and Moofire's Soca Escape Riddim is released by now (label: bacchanal45).
It features tunes by Maximus Dan ("Big Man"), 3suns ("To be praised"), Mr Slaughter ("Don't play that"), Bunji Garlin and Benjai ("In my brain"), KMC feat. Jungle ("Man still love you"), Tony Curtis ft. Machel Montano ("What a feeling") and more...

Pictures of the videoshooting can be found at Soca Nikki. Scenes were done at the Savannah, Club Tower, Downtown POS, Fort Abercromby and Las Cuevas.

The Caribbean supports Soca Warriors

2004-12-22T10:09:00.000+01:00

Jamaican Horace Burrell, head of marketing of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), has pledged to support Trinidad and Tobago's bid to qualify for the 2006 World Cup Finals in Germany.

Chutney Soca Monarch 2005 competition launched

2004-12-22T09:58:00.000+01:00

Chutney Soca Monarch 2005 competition launched, promised as the best promoted show for 2005 carnival.
Semi-final on January 8, finals January 22 at Skinners Park.
Prizes: (total of $275,000 in prize money)
1st—$100,000
2nd—$60,000
3rd—$40,000

Los Alumnos win National Parang Association’s Finals

2004-12-22T09:53:00.000+01:00

Los Alumnos (winners 1998-2001, 2003) did it again and won the National Parang Association's finals of their anual competition. They played songs like La Escogida, El Cristo Nacio and La Historia de Trinidad y Tobago in a 20-minute well-executed set.
Results:
1. Los Alumnos de San Juan—Wayne Jagdeo
2. Los Paranderos de UWI—Miguel Browne
3. Los Amigos Cantadores—Neil Marcano
4. Los Pastores—Lawrence Salazar
4. Los Buenos Paranderos—Gail Ganpat
6. Courts Ruisenores—Dominic Browne
7. Salsa Picante —Phillomen Lee-Greenidge
8. La Familia de Rio Claro—Sidney Granger
9. Unidad Serenaders—Daniel Santoo
10. Canciones Melodices—Fitzroy Figaro

Impulse almost kidnapped

2004-12-22T09:36:00.000+01:00

Calypsonian Wayne "Impulse" Modeste believes he was the victim of a kidnap attempt. Kidnappers tried to snatch him from his car in San Fernando when he was on his way to 90.1 radiostation o release his 2005 song "Soldiers". Three armed men stopped his car and asked him to move over. Impulse could escape uninjured, running, stumbling, shouting. His car was found later parked on the road.

RIP Onika Bostic 1979-2004

2004-12-20T10:19:00.000+01:00

Interview with Crazy

2004-12-20T10:12:00.000+01:00

An interview with soca artiste Crazy in the Trinidad Express.

Parang in Arima

2004-12-20T10:11:00.000+01:00

The National Parang Headquarters, situated at the end of the Priority Bus Route in Arima was transformed into a musical mecca on Saturday night when the national parang finals were held.

Alison quits Square One

2004-12-12T13:57:00.000+01:00

After 17 years out front with Square One, Alison Hinds-Walcott is taking her leave due to family commitments. The final appearance will be held at The Boatyard on December 27 in Barbados.
Another article at BBCCaribbean.com.

Onika Bostic fighting for life

2004-12-12T13:38:00.000+01:00

After a serious car accident in Laventille, Trinidad, Burning Flames lead singer Onika Bostic is fighting for life in the hospital. Doctors said she was in a coma and described her condition as critical. Yesterday she was pronounced clinically dead.
Performers, friends and relatives held hands in a circle and prayed Bostic would make it. She was on her way from a show in Chaguaramas coming from a performance in Tunapuna.
see also Newsday yesterday and today.

Scrunter 25th anniversary

2004-12-05T21:20:00.000+01:00

It seems almost incredible that Scrunter has already chalked up his silver anniversary as an entertainer but, at Friday night's Arima Municipal Stadium concert to mark the event, the former national calypso monarch and reigning parangsoca king paraded chronological evidence of every hit delivered en route to this milestone.

Shurwayne - Gives Thanks

2004-11-29T13:56:00.000+01:00

Shurwayne Winchester released his new 16-track album last Friday. It contains songs like "Friend to Wife" and "Lay it on Me", "Dead or Alive" and "Words of Wisdom". Plus collaborations with Maximus Dan (Give Thanks), Bunji Garlin (Don't waste the Water), Sean Caruth and Candi Hoyte.

Tease Me by Eboni and Fro

2004-11-29T13:01:00.000+01:00

An article about the newcomers Eboni and Fro and their latest single "Tease me".

Bim, bim, sink or swim..

2004-11-27T22:36:00.000+01:00

"Bim" is one of the most important Caribbean movies and probably the best movie ever made in Trinidad. The soundtrack was made by late Andre Tanker. The Caribbean Beat has a nice article about this screen classic.

Released in 1974, Bim was filmed on a location in Trinidad and Tobago only a few years after the country had survived black power demonstrations, an army mutiny, and a guerilla movement by idealistic young radicals reaching for a new society. A sense of alienation, especially among young people, was rooted in the slow progress being made on issues like eliminating racial prejudice and reducing inequalities of wealth, a decade after the country’s independence from the United Kingdom in 1962.

All in the family - Shorty's Love Circle

2004-11-27T22:31:00.000+01:00

When calypsonian and soca pioneer Lord Shorty reformed his flashy lifestyle and retreated to rural Piparo in the late 1970s, Trinidadian music fans couldn’t have predicted the consequences. A quarter-century later, the Love Circle — the family band Shorty founded — combines musical virtuosity with deep spirituality.

Kerwin DuBois releases "Mystic Journey"

2004-11-27T22:08:00.000+01:00

Kerwin DuBois will release his new album 30th november this year. It's not a soca-only album, Kerwin invites you to a musical journey from Asian rhythms to garage to jazz.

Mr. Slaughter – Bound 2 Represent

2004-11-27T21:51:00.000+01:00

The new album "Bound to Represent” by Derek Pereira aka Dawg E. Slaughter should be released by now. New songs such as, “Represent” and “It's Not Easy” as well as past favorites such as “Tic Toc” and “Pokey” appear on the CD. Produced by Pereira, with the assistance of Kasey Phillips and KMP Music Lab, guest appearances are also made by artiste Konota, Nadia Batson, and guitar solos by Kenny Phillips.

No Shadow tunes this season!!

2004-11-27T21:41:00.000+01:00

Another step in the war against piracy. The Trinidad Guardian reports that Shadow is not doing any tunes this carnival season."We make CDs and everybody else sells it and we get nothing.” said Shadow.
Discussion about this topic on the Islandmix Board.

Another All-Inclusive Fetes schedule

2004-11-26T11:38:00.000+01:00

More fetes can be found in the Trinidad Guardian.

1st International Soca Queen competition in 2005

2004-11-26T11:37:00.000+01:00

For the first time International Soca Dancing Queen competition will be held. Some of the world's top female dancers are competing for a 75.000TT$ prise. Chief Judge will be Denise Belfon.

There is also a Soca Queen competition for singers. Judging criteria are:
Lyrics - 25 points
Melody - 35
Rendition - 25
Presentation - 5
Costuming - 10
The first NLCB International Soca Queen Competition will have its elimination round of competition (Soca Blowout) on January 21, at the Arima Velodrome, followed by a grand final at Jean Pierre Complex, on Carnival Thursday, February 3. [via Trinidad Guardian]

Trinidad 2005 fete calender

2004-11-24T16:06:00.000+01:00

For all carnivalists a first calender of carnival events in february:

Tuesday 1st February Island Style's Glow
Wednesday 2 February Bacchanal Wednesday
Wednesday 2nd February Customs Boys Annual Pan O Brass Pan
Thursday 3rd February Michael Headley's All Inclusive, Salybia
Thursday 3rd February All De Way But Not All De Way All Inclusive, De Freitas Recreation Park, Valencia
Thursday 3rd February Pan Trinbago National Panorama Final (Small Orchestras), Skinner Park, San Fernando
Thursday 3rd February Island Style's Mad Hatters Cruise, MV Treasure Queen, Pier 2, Chaguaramas
Thursday 3rd February T&T Poolice Association Annual Carnival Fete - Soca Reload 2 - Police Barracks, St. James
Thursday 3rd February Tunapuna Carnival Committee Old Mas Competition and Old & Young Fete, Tunapuna
Thursday 3rd February The Great Gatsby Foreign Affair All Inclusive Carnival Fete, Ambassador Hotel, MaravalThursday 3rd February La Flor Soca Cruise, MV Sea Prowler, Pier 1, Chaguaramas
Thursday 3rd February Island Style's Mad Hatters Ball, Mobs 2, Chaguaramas
Thursday 3rd February UWI Splash Aqua Trinidad
Friday 4th February Caribbean Prestige International Soca Monarch Final
Friday 4th February Fusion Friday - Macqueripe
Friday 4th February T&T Hospitality Institute - A Taste of Carnival VII - Chaguaramas
Friday 4th February Positive Party People Soca Fantasy All Inclusive, The White House, Las Cuevas
Friday 4th February Fantastic Friday International Soca Monarch Finals, Oval
Friday 4th February Miss Central Carival Queen Show, Couva
Friday 4th February Over De Hill boys Annual Carnival Fete, Belmont
Friday 4th February Island People's Girl Power
Friday 4th February Cooler Fete, Pier 1
Saturday 5th February Friends of the Caribbean's Cari-Fete, Chaguaramas Golf Course
Saturday 5th February The Cotton Tree foundation Saturnalia All Inclusive, St. Ann's
Saturday 5th February Trini Posee All Inclusive
Saturday 5th February Poolside All Inclusive Hilton
Saturday 5th February Lions Port of spain All Inclusive Fete, Lions Civic Centre
Saturday 5th February Insomnia, Mobs 2, Chaguaramas
Saturday 5th February Penny Commisiong Chow Annual All Inclusive, Carenage
Saturday 5th February Junior Parade of the Bands
Saturday 5th February National Panorama Final
Sunday 6th February Dimanche Gras
Sunday 6th February Hedolife Breakfast Bling Bling 3, Stanwore Avenue & Queen's Park West, Port of Spain
Sunday 6th February Trinidad Country Club Fete
Sunday 6th February In De Sanctuary All Inclusive, Valsayn
Sunday 6th February The Wise One's All Inclusive, Ingeri Road, Valsayn South
Sunday 6th February Moka All Inclusive, Maraval
Sunday 6th February Brian Lara All Inclusive, Chancellor Hill
Sunday 6th February boy Scouts Headquarters Fete
Monday 7th February Carnival Monday
Monday 7th February J'Ouvert 2005
Monday 7th February Pan On The Road - Pan/Mas - Victoria Square and Downtown, Port of Spain - 1pm
Monday 7th February Monday Night Mas - Victoria Square
Tuesday 8th February Carnival Tuesday
Tuesday 8th February Pan On the Road - Pan/Mas - Victoria Square and Downtown, Port of Spain - 9am
Tuesday 8th February Last Lap - Western Main Road, St. James - 6 pm

[via Soca BBS]

Soca Riddims 2005

2004-11-24T13:27:00.000+01:00

Many pre-carnival soca riddim releases so far this year:

Appliance Riddim
De Truth Riddim
Good Gyal Riddim
Immediate Riddim
Latina Riddim
Love Zone Riddim
Magnum P.I. Riddim
Moving Riddim
Night Shift Riddim
R.I.P Riddim
Six Speed Riddim
Stinging Neckle Riddim
Sweet Voices Riddim
Takeover Riddim
Tear Drop Riddim
and a re-release of the Bacchelor Riddim

Music pirates already sell 2005 soca

2004-11-24T11:08:00.000+01:00

The season just started and music pirates are already offering compilations of 2005 soca songs. It features songs which are not officially released yet. The police arrested a vendor yesterday.

Kevin Lyttle, Spragga grab 'Boomshot' Award

2004-11-24T10:56:00.000+01:00

Kevin Lyttle and Spragga Benz received the Vibe Magazine Award in the Boomshot category on Monday night for their hit tune "Turn me on". Other nominees were Beenie Man, Vybz Kartel, T.O.K., and Elephant Man.

Rupee: Two hits on After The Sunset soundtrack.

2004-11-24T10:46:00.000+01:00

BARBADIAN international recording artiste Rupee has pulled off another coup; this time getting two of his songs to be a part of the soundtrack of a brand new movie starring Pierce Brosnan.

Rupee joins fellow Atlantic artistes Kevin Lyttle and Sean Paul to grace the soundtrack of the New Line Cinema movie, After The Sunset which opened in theatres across North America last Friday

Ronnie Mcintosh did a Soca Warriors tune

2004-11-08T13:05:00.000+01:00

The Trinidad & Tobago football team (us-americans speak: "soccer") known as the "Soca Warriors" are heading for the Football World Cup 2006 in Germany. To support the upcoming matches, Ronnie Mcintosh did the tune "Deutschland". Next game is versus St. Vincent on november 17th.
Since de cooler is based in Germany, we will promise a warm and loud welcome for the T&T team.
Soca Warriors - gee dem a goal!!!

Faye-Ann Lyons takes 3 Cott awards

2004-11-07T13:40:00.000+01:00

Former road March Queen Faye-Ann Lyons got an early birthday present on Thursday night, when she copped three awards at the Copyright Organisation of T&T’s sixth annual Music Awards, at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s.

Her 2003 Road March hit, Display, earned her the titles of “New Songwriter of the Year,” ahead of Troydon Cruickshank (Blazer) and Antiguan Shawn Oshea Ryan (Wanski); “Female Songwriter of the Year,” over parang woman Francisca Allard and soca sensation Destra Garcia; and the coveted “Song of the Year” title, ahead of Ian Wiltshire’s Trini 2 de Bone and Shurwayne Winchester’s D Band Coming.

New Saucy Wow album with "Boogsie" Sharpe pan tune

2004-11-03T16:39:00.000+01:00

Denise “Saucy Wow” Belfon never fails to surprise her fans with new aspects of her versatility. And this time is nothing new. Come 2005, the soca diva will take on another arena of music when she teams up with ace pan arranger, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe to sing his 2005 Panorama tune, Break it Up.

We are curious to hear this tune. The full album will be released November 20th.

Good Gyal Riddim for Carnival 2k5

2004-11-02T11:49:00.000+01:00

Bunji Garlin, Denise “Saucy Wow” Belfon and Maximus Dan are among a host of other talented local artists whose music is featured on the Good Gyal Riddim released by Mad Flava Records, New York, for Carnival 2K5.

Bunji, Faye Anne 'not an item'

2004-10-27T19:47:00.000+02:00

Rumours spread faster when they are not true. Same with the Bunji /Fay-Ann - engagement. We titled with an question mark, but other publications already knew about the wedding..
Now Bunji's manager said, that the two artists are not engaged and have no plans of getting married. Well, it would have been too romantic. :)

Calypso conference and exhibition in NY

2004-10-27T19:29:00.000+02:00

A public conference about "Calypso in New York and Atlantic World" will be held in Brooklyn, NY this saturday (October 30, 2004). The organiser of the conference, the Institute for Studies in American Music and the Historical Museum of Southern Florida, will bring together leading calypso scholars and artists to explore the multifaceted history and aesthetics of calypso from the early twentieth century to the present.

Ray Funk, Les Slater and Dr. Hollis "Chalkdust" Liverpool, just to name a few, will talk about the history of Calypso in NY and future trends.

In the course of the twentieth century, mass media, migration, military service and tourism transformed Trinidadian calypso into a major form of popular music that was performed in countries throughout the Americas, Europe and Africa. The Roaring Lion, Lord Kitchener, Sir Lancelot, Harry Belafonte and numerous other artists interpreted calypso for new audiences and achieved international profiles. New York, with its large Caribbean community and extensive entertainment industry, became a center for the performance and dissemination of calypso.

Related Exhibitions:
- Calypso Music in Postwar America
Brooklyn College Library, 4 October, 2004 - 17 December, 2004
- Calypso: A World Music, available online

Pan Politics

2004-10-26T12:40:00.000+02:00

An interesting article about the Pan Trinbago Carnival boycott in the Newsday.

Pan Trinbago’s threatened boycott of Carnival 2005, if carried out, may be counter-productive, as was the mid 1970s pan boycott of the Parade of Bands at the Queen’s Park Savannah. An unexpected spin-off of that boycott was that most of the Carnival bandleaders turned, increasingly, to brass bands and disc jockeys to provide music for their mas players. [..]What Pan Trinbago needs to do, instead of issuing boycott threats, is seek to develop strategies which would result, in the first instance, in the core players of the leading steelbands contracted for engagements the year round, in much the same way that many musicians in brass bands are in regular demand.

NCC launches 2005 Carnival with street parade

2004-10-26T12:32:00.000+02:00

The National Carnival Commission of Trinidad & Tobago officially launched Carnival 2005 with a street parade in Port-of Spain. The theme for this Carnival is "Cherish We Carnival".

With a two-hour delay in starting time, the wait was worth the while, as this year’s launch proved to be most successful, with the full presence of traditional characters of Carnival. Much to the delight of the eager crowd, Blue Devils, Dames Lorraine, Jab Jabs, Fancy Indians and Midnight Robbers, claimed Abercromby Street together with several steelbands.

RIP Jani

2004-10-26T12:13:00.000+02:00

The 2004 Calypso Queen Saint Lucian Jany Williams died on Sunday morning in a car crash. Four other persons of her band Caribbean Vizion,who were in the same vehicle were reported to be in critical condition at the hospital.
Band leader Kurt Allen’s ten-year-old daughter Chocolate and one of the other occupants of the car were released from the hospital with only scratches and bruises.
Jani was singing the well-known tune "Saltwater (Dip Dip Dip in the Salt)".
[via Imix BackChat]

Oungku Interview

2004-10-19T01:14:00.000+02:00

An interview with Burning Flames' Oungku outa Antigua can be found here..

Rupee spreads his wings

2004-10-17T18:54:00.000+02:00

Another Rupee-Interview on this UK-based music site.

"Nookie" taking over - Elephant RMX

2004-10-16T13:44:00.000+02:00

St. Vincent's soca artist Jamesy P. did a remix of his big hit "Nookie (Juicy Juicy)" with Elephant Man. Listen to it at socanews.com.

Bunji Garlin engaged to Fay Ann?

2004-10-16T13:07:00.000+02:00

Rumors say that Bunji Garlin is engaged to Invazion's singer Fay Ann Lyons. A wedding is expected after Carnival 2k5. Will the soca monarch couple shake up the Trinidadian soca industry?

Soca party moved moved from the carnival circuit to America's living rooms.

2004-10-16T12:53:00.000+02:00

A Malaysian newspaper writes about the success of Bajan soca in the USA.

"At the end of the day, no matter how much I've succeeded, I can't overlook my carnival," said Rupee, 29, who has been on the soca circuit for nearly a decade and has recorded several independent CDs. Crop Over is what made me. I exist because of Crop Over."

Trinidad 2k5 Soca season startet

2004-10-14T01:29:00.000+02:00

T&T Soca Season 2005 has begun: producer und artist KMC starts with the Stinging Neckle Riddim, featuring Machel Montano, Maximus Dan and more. On the R'n'B-like Tear Drop Riddim Ragga-Soca Artist Dawg E Slaughter shows his soft side.
Listen to both riddims in the mix at socamusic.de:

[ Stinging Neckle Mix ] [ Tear Drop Mix ]

Tracklists:

Maximus Dan interview

2004-10-12T15:02:00.000+02:00

The German dancehall/soca - portal dancehallmusic.de has an interview with Maximus Dan the Gladiator online.

But artists also need to know that they have to make the contribution.I'm not saying to ignore carnival, but when you're writing the music, try to make something that stretch further than carnival monday or tuesday. Make the music timeless.

Read the whole interview here.

Saucy Wow now online

2004-10-12T11:28:00.000+02:00

Denise Belfon aka Saucy Wow, who is currently recording her first album "Hot Sauce", started her website denisebelfon.net