Caribbean Buzz
Archived: A Man on A Mission. This Caribbean Super Producer Dropped His Price and He’s Never Felt Better.
While all that’s happening around us may have us all believe that there’s no good taking place in the world, in Trinidad and Tobago, one music producer is proving that consensus, inaccurate. Randal Alexander is the founder and principal producer at Pengco Music- a music recording lab based in Bon Aire, East Trinidad. He’s changing lives and what’s incredible is the fact that he knows he was ‘called’ to do just what he’s been doing for the past six months.
Alexander’s the music producer behind many songs delivered by well-known artistes in the music industry, among them, Gyptian, Queen Omega and Jah Melody, however, a chain of events that first unraveled his life before reconstructing it, has brought him to a place of great content and humility. A brand new riddim being released this week, which features singer, Orlando Octave, along with young, up and coming vocalists like Incline, Frequency, Roy Simmons and Blacka, reminds Randal of what moved him to be of service to more people, than he ever could’ve been before.
“I had taken some time away from the studio and made the move into agriculture,” he said, explaining that he’d invested in a very large crop of tomatoes and was expected a lucrative payout. “One day, I was in the field and I heard a voice as clear as day. God had spoken to me,” he attested. Randal said he heard God tell him to return to music, but ignored the directive. Sometime after that, he lost his entire crop of tomatoes and all that he had invested when a parasite attacked the field.
Still, he had not heeded. Randal Alexander was not convinced that the music industry was entirely where he wanted to be. He saw the potential in the agriculture sector but as he pointed out, that was not where God needed him to be.
“After I lost the crop, my grandmother, who I was very close to, suddenly passed away,” he shared, highlighting that ultimately, he was again told to return to music when this happened. This time, Randal listened. The house he had grown up in, in Bon Aire, East Trinidad, was established as his new recording studio, and guided by that voice that he believed was God’s, Randal decided to offer his services of recording, mixing and mastering to anyone, anywhere, at the most economical cost by industry standards. “I knew my mission was all about changing lives. I know that records are very expensive to produce and I decided to put the same effort into something that would cost the artist way less, offering the service even to people who otherwise wouldn’t ordinarily be able to afford it,” he explained. In the past six months Alexander and PengCo Music has recorded over 100 songs for people from all walks of life, all ages and all backgrounds.
Pooling his resources together and ensuring that people aligned to his mission in areas of Public Relations, Graphic and Video support, and other areas, were on board, Randal Alexander’s effort materialized and began bearing fruit. He realized that his move to reduce cost and focus on serving others, essentially led to him meeting a lot of talented people, while touching their lives in a unique way. “Often time, we don’t understand how effective a simple act can be in making the dreams of someone else, come true. I’m glad I listened to that voice and now, more than I ever, I know that my mission is clear. I don’t have faith, I know!”
This week, Pengco Music unleashes the Scream riddim simultaneously with a video that features the artistes on the riddim. “This part of my journey has been an awakening for me, and I’m just happy that I can touch the lives of others on my way,” he said.
For more on PengCo Music, follow @pengcompany on Instagram.
Caribbean Buzz
Kes The Band’s ‘Roots, Rock, Soca’ Tour Concludes with Sold-Out International Success.
Kes the Band has officially concluded its highly acclaimed Roots, Rock, Soca Tour, marking another groundbreaking moment in the band’s remarkable journey. The international tour captivated audiences across the United Kingdom, Europe and North America – making history as the first Soca act to sell-out stadium shows in the United States and to sell out the RBC Amphitheater in Toronto, Canada with 16,000 fans.
The tour featured sold-out shows in major music cities such as London, Vancouver, Los Angeles, New York, and its final stop in Toronto – with thousands of fans gathering night after night to experience the signature sound, musicianship, and infectious energy that have made KestheBand one of the Caribbean’s most influential live acts.
The ‘Roots, Rock, Soca’ Tour became a celebration of culture, connection, and community. Each performance in the concert series showcased the band’s ability to transcend borders and generations, bringing together audiences from diverse backgrounds through music rooted in Caribbean identity. With energetic performances spanning storied venues such as Forest Hills Stadium in New York and The Bellwether in California, Kes the Band continues to cement its place in history as an enduring, generational force that bridges rhythms, unites audiences, and elevates the heartbeat of Caribbean culture in communities across global borders.
Led by charismatic frontman Kees Dieffenthaller, the band’s world-class lineup includes Dean Jameson drums, Jon Dieffenthaller on guitar, Riad Boochoon on bass, Mario Callender and Geiron Mangon keyboards, and Robert ‘Robbie Styles’ Persaud on DJ and Ableton. Together, they delivered dynamic performances that combined exceptional musicianship with the unmistakable spirit that has become synonymous with KestheBand.
Adding to the excitement throughout the tour were a number of memorable surprise guest appearances from some of soca’s most celebrated artists, including Coutain, Lady Lava, Barbados Soca legend Edwin Yearwood, Iwer George, London’s Haile of WSTRN, Haitian singer J Perry, and Ravi B. Their appearances created unforgettable moments for fans while highlighting the camaraderie and creative excellence that continue to define Caribbean music.
The overwhelming response to the tour underscores Kes the Band’s continued evolution from a beloved Caribbean band to a truly global cultural ambassador. Across every city, audiences embraced the music, creating an atmosphere that reflected the growing international appreciation for soca and Caribbean artistry.
Photo: Jono Hirst.
As the curtain closes on the Roots, Rock, Soca Tour, Kes the Band is already focused on the next chapter. The band will soon return to the studio to begin work on new music for an upcoming album, continuing its tradition of pushing creative boundaries while staying true to the sound that has resonated with fans around the world.
The momentum also continues for Kes the Band on stage over Labor Day Weekend as the iconic group takes the stage at the DC Jazz Festival (DCJF), one of the United States’ premier music festivals, taking place September 2–6, 2026. Following the band’s debut on NPR Tiny Desk in the capital of the United States earlier this year, the band continues to expand its reach and introduce Caribbean music to new audiences on some of the world’s most respected stages.
With decades of groundbreaking music, unforgettable live performances, and an unwavering commitment to cultural excellence, Kes the Band continues to redefine what’s possible for Caribbean artists on the global stage. The success of the Roots, Rock, Soca Tour is both a celebration of an extraordinary series of performances and a defining chapter in the band’s enduring legacy, setting the stage for an exciting new era of music and global performances.
Caribbean Buzz
Charly Black, Kevin Lyttle Release ‘Summer Banger’ Produced by Global Hitmaker, Walshy Fire.
Two of the Caribbean’s most legendary hitmakers have joined forces for what is shaping up to be one of the Caribbean’s biggest records of the year.
Dancehall superstar Charly Black, whose global smash “Gyal You A Party Animal” has amassed more than one billion streams worldwide, joins forces with St. Vincent Soca hit maker, Kevin Lyttle, whose timeless international hit “Turn Me On” has generated hundreds of millions of streams. That single remains one of the most recognizable Caribbean songs ever recorded.
The single, “Island Ting,” unites the music of Jamaica and St. Vincent & The Grenadines, celebrating the beauty, confidence, and irresistible energy of island women. More than just a song, “Island Ting” is a celebration of the Caribbean, its vibrant diaspora, and everyone around the world who embraces the region’s unmatched culture, music, and love of celebration.
Blending irresistible Dancehall and Soca influences with an unmistakable tropical vibe, the record is poised to become the soundtrack of the summer, says a media release issued.
Produced by well known international producer, Walshy Fire, with the instrumental crafted by acclaimed producer Jason Julian, “Island Ting” is already making waves across the streaming landscape. The single has secured significant editorial playlist support from Apple Music and Spotify, with Spotify further backing the release through premium placement on its coveted Mobile Home Banner – one of the platform’s most prominent promotional spaces for new music.
Industry insiders are already tipping “Island Ting” as one of the Caribbean’s defining songs of the summer, with momentum expected to carry through Notting Hill Carnival, into Trinidad Carnival 2027, and beyond. From beach parties and festivals to clubs, radio, and playlists around the world, the record has all the ingredients of a timeless Caribbean anthem.
“Island Ting” is available now on all major streaming and digital platforms.
