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Archived: Bunji Garlin, Cassi Atop The List of Names At Major Carnival Fetes in T&T

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He’s had a hell of a run. 2013 was the year Bunji Garlin made the world know that he wasn’t sleeping and it seems like he’s about to make even more noise as 2014 gets going. Already, the Viking’s name is front and centre on billboards and press ads for the carnival season but he isn’t the only one. With some amazing releases this year, a number of soca artistes will see their hard work pay off when they collect their cheques from promoters of several major carnival fetes they’re booked to perform at this year. Among the artistes expected to make a killing is, Cassi. 

Cassi says he is moving to make his career a proper business.

ETCETERABUZZ learnt that Cassi is a bit nervous about the amount of attention he’s been receiving but even with the thought of having to live up to the expectations of thousands across the country, he is thankful for all that’s happening in his career right now. “I have grown since ‘Town Ting’ and I am a better vocalist now, and I know more now on the stage,” he admitted in an interview with us this afternoon. Cassi says he feels honored to be favored by many of the radio personalities and DJs this year and admits that he worked very hard in the past few months- something that is paying off. “The song being played on the radio stations is what got the attention of the promoters and I got a call from the Fire Fete promoters early, to perform,” he told us. He will hit the stage with artistes like Iwer George, Destra Garcia, Olatunji Yearwood, Bunji, Fay-Ann, Mr. Killa from Grenada, Onyan from Antigua, Lyrikal and others on January 25th. The venue- the Queen’s Park Savannah hosts some of the biggest carnival events annually and a massive crowd is expected next week Saturday. 

Explaining that he was motivated after last year’s experience, Cassi noted that his 2013 season started off on a bit of a sour note- this after he failed to make it to the Soca Monarch semi finals. He however explained that at Machel Monday, he was uplifted by the words of Montano who told the crowd that Cassi’s hit, ‘Whistle and Horn’ was his favorite song for the season. “To hear those words from an artiste like Machel Montano- an international star, was an honor. Machel Monday was my Soca Monarch because everybody was there!,” he said. 

Cassi says Bunji Garlin has cut the grass for all of the other soca artistes. He thanks him for all that he’s done, adding that Bunji has made the soca fraternity very proud.

Cassi says he’s ready for the next level in his career, explaining to us that he now feels accredited here at home by the people. “For the past three years, I’ve been working at getting the people of the region and overseas territories to know my music and who I am. The next step is for me to try to inject some international sounds into my music,” he explained, adding that he is thankful to Bunji Garlin for “cutting the grass” for the rest of the artistes who are a part of the soca industry. “I also want to to thank Machel Montano. He has been a mentor and a good advisor over the years,” he said. Cassi’s aim as he continues with his development as an artiste is to mould his career into a proper business format and admitting that he knows it may cost him some money to get things properly organized, he says he knows it will be worth it. 

On the releases of 2014 and what he likes so far, Cassi said he’s a big fan of songs by both Bunji and Machel. “I like ‘All O’ Dem’ and Machel’s ‘Happiest Man Alive’,” he said. Both Machel and Bunji have several hits heading into Carnival 2014 and both artistes will be featured in concert length performances on separate dates this year. 

 

 

 

Music News

Grammy Award Winning, Morgan Heritage Salutes Jamaica with First Release Since Losing Peetah Morgan.

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Grammy Award-winning reggae band Morgan Heritage returns with “Come Feel The Love,” an uplifting new single written and produced by nine-time Grammy Award-winning artist, producer, and songwriter Stephen Marley.

Released on July 10th through Ghetto Youths International, the song serves as a vibrant musical invitation to experience Jamaica through its people, culture, landscapes, and unmistakable spirit. According to a media release the song celebrates the essence of Jamaica through authentic storytelling, using the universal language of reggae to capture the island’s warmth, resilience, beauty, and enduring sense of community.

Led by the unmistakable voices of Gramps Morgan and Mojo Morgan, the single paints vivid images of Jamaica’s natural beauty, from the iconic lignum vitae and soursop trees to Negril’s coastline, Lovers’ Leap, and the communities where generations have shaped one of the world’s most influential musical cultures.

Complementing the song is a visually stunning official music video produced by Filmaica and directed by Fernando Hevia. Filmed entirely on location throughout Jamaica, the visual showcases many of the island’s breathtaking landscapes and cultural landmarks. Gramps Morgan’s performance scenes were captured in Negril and at the iconic Lovers’ Leap in St. Elizabeth, both destinations referenced in the lyrics, bringing an added level of authenticity and emotional connection, while celebrating the beauty and diversity of Jamaica.

Built around the infectious refrain, “Come Feel The Love,” the record embodies Jamaica as more than a destination – it is a feeling rooted in family, music, community, and connection.

Celebrating Home.

“Come Feel The Love” marks Morgan Heritage’s first newly recorded release since the ascension of one of its founding members, Peetah Morgan, opening a new chapter for one of reggae’s most celebrated groups while honoring the legacy he helped build. The single reflects the band’s enduring commitment to carrying its message of unity, love, and cultural pride to audiences around the world.

Jamaica has given us so much, our identity, our music, our culture, and our purpose,” said Gramps Morgan. “This song celebrates everything we love about home and invites the world to experience the same warmth and inspiration that continues to shape who we are.”

Mojo Morgan added, “Reggae has always connected people across cultures and generations. ‘Come Feel The Love’ reminds us that Jamaica’s greatest gift isn’t just its beauty, it’s the love, unity, and positive spirit that people feel the moment they arrive.”

The record seamlessly blends Morgan Heritage’s signature harmonies with Stephen Marley’s timeless production, creating a contemporary roots,reggae anthem that honors Jamaica’s traditions while introducing its story to a new generation of listeners.

As one of reggae’s most celebrated families, Morgan Heritage has spent decades carrying Jamaican music to audiences around the world, earning a Grammy Award and building a legacy of socially conscious, spiritually uplifting recordings. Their collaboration with Stephen Marley, one of reggae’s most accomplished artists and producers, brings together two of Jamaica’s most influential musical legacies in a powerful celebration of the island, its people, and its culture.

More than the release of a new single, “Come Feel The Love” represents the beginning of Morgan Heritage’s next chapter, one rooted in the same values that have defined the band for generations while embracing a renewed purpose. As they honor Peetah Morgan’s enduring legacy, the group continues its mission of celebrating Jamaica through music and spreading love, unity, hope, and positivity to audiences around the world.

“Come Feel the Love” is available now on all major digital streaming platforms.

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Caribbean Buzz

Kes The Band’s ‘Roots, Rock, Soca’ Tour Concludes with Sold-Out International Success.

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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.

KestheBand’s Frontman, Kees Dieffenthaller, serenades the sold-out audience at the RBC Amphitheater in Toronto, Canada to conclude the ‘Roots, Rock, Soca’ Tour. Photo; Jono Hirst

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.

Soca is joy: these fans could barely contain their excitement at the closing show of KestheBand’s ‘Roots, Rock, Soca’ Tour stop in Toronto, Canada.
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.

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