Four days. It’s been four days since a phenomenal occurrence took place in Trinidad. Amid the Carnival hype, amid the talk of the Monk Evolution, Machel Montano, Tony Chow Lin On better known as Chinese Laundry and their team of diligent movers and shakers, created a shift that some absorbed and embraced; others however, have frowned, seeing only a double standard that they say,  relentlessly meanders through the Carnival and soca music industry in Trinidad and Tobago and possibly, the Caribbean.

Machel Montano’s Evolution of Monk album is now available. PHOTO CREDIT: Machel Montano IG.

The Monk Evolution album is now available via online music distribution outlets- this, announced one day after the concert that pulled a mammoth crowd at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. For Machel Montano, such numbers aren’t at all unique. In fact, by now, the Monk as he’s called, must be accustomed to gathering thousands at one venue, year after year. On Monday night however, amid the jamming to artistes like M1, Ravi B and Karma, Farmer Nappy and Patrice Roberts and even an acoustic set with the son of the late, great Lord Kitchener, Kernal Roberts, fans of Machel Montano and all that he’s offered the world in his 34 years in the business, got a lot to ponder.

On stage, Machel was the epitome of stardom. He delivered as he usually does, belting out hit after hit and introducing fans to music done in the past few months with artistes like OMI out of Jamaica and Nigerian artiste, Timaya. He brought some Cuban heat to the fore when, dressed from head to toe in chilli pepper red, Latino heartthrob, Pitbull came forward to share the spotlight, his waistline almost saying to female onlookers, “come hither. I’ve got just what you need…” Hip Hop hype man, Lil Jon was even moved to share a sentiment of true appreciation for the hard work he’s seen Montano put in, time and time again, telling him, “I have seen just how hard you work, man…” There was even a short performance by slated guest performer, Tarrus Riley, who Montano collaborated with on the remix to his single, “Memory”. Riley came on and was off in under 10 minutes, delivering his other blockbuster reggae anthems ‘Royal’ and ‘Gimme Likkle One Drop’ to a tolerant audience. Voice, a superb young soca artiste was allowed his moment to shine at MM, as was Aaron Duncan, the youngster who continues to win titles in junior calypso and soca categories much to the satisfaction of Montano who one week earlier had said, “he reminds me a lot of myself at that age.”

The set that rocked the stadium- Chinese Laundry and Signal 2 Noise reunite musically at Machel Monday.

Machel Monday was indeed a concert. It was not a fete as many had hoped to experience. EBUZZTT, looking around, noticed a drastic reduction of high-heeled fashion and a powerful inclination by beautiful women to simply dress comfortably to enjoy the occasion. That in itself was refreshing, proof maybe that the words of many radio personalities were seeping through the airwaves and making sense to many. What would come, just before 2am on Machel Monday however, would prompt a thought or two that the flats worn were being used for an unexpected reason.  In a surprise move, Montano introduced his friend and business partner, former MC, Chinese Laundry. Behind him, taking the Serato machine would be none other than Signal 2 Noise. The duo had, in years gone by, made dancehall a phenomenal force in Trinidad and Tobago and on this night, they would do so again. On this night, in the heat of Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago, soca would be pushed to the back burner for possibly 30 minutes, to accommodate Chaka Demus and Pliers, Wayne Wonder and the legendary dancehall DJ, Cutty Ranks. A surprise moment no doubt, for children of the eighties and nighties who lived for the music and vibe that Laundry and Signal delivered, all hands seemed to reach to the sky, almost thankful that something was presented to make them remember the days when ‘dance was nice.’

Machel looks on at the crowd in amazement almost, as DJ Assassin stands to his right. PHOTO CREDIT: Assassin Singh IG

When that moment ended and the focus switched back to Machel Montano- the Taipan of Soca, the energy had to be maintained. He would bring on three DJs he coined the best Soca DJs. Assassin Singh, Private Ryan and his road DJ, DJ Stephen would then lead Montano into a high energy soca set that made even the Monk shake his head a few times, possibly pondering just how he’d managed to do it and continue to, at the age of 41. His monster anthems, too many to call, lifted the spirit of his fans, almost as if they too, wished they could re-live those hit-making moments. “I going after my 8th road march,” said Machel amid it all. His former drummer, Kernal Roberts had reminded him, on stage, that he was up to number 7 and together they had made magic. Roberts was given an opportunity to show off his acoustic skills, delivering the raw notes of some of the road march hits he and Montano had won together. Later, as the curtains came down on Machel Monday, the possibility of an 8th road march title  roared in the hearts of fans. He left them with it… just a little something to think about maybe. In true Machel style, he gave them “Waiting On De Stage”.

Today, four days after Machel Monday, some among us, silently mumble, “so how is it that when some promoters introduce foreigners in the carnival, everybody upset but when Machel do it, it’s ok?”. Some now argue, there will always be a double standard. Suffice to say, the moment has passed, but as we said when we began, Machel Monday 2016 has left many, with much to ponder.