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Archived: Alkaline Rides Into Trinidad But Reviews Of TAO, Unimpressive

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Two days after dancehall’s most valuable player these days took the stage in Trinidad, the streets are abuzz with reviews. TAO the acronym for Together As One, is an annual summer concert hosted at the Queen’s Park Savannah. In this, its second year, the concert lured a pretty large crowd, having advertised featured acts, Jamaica’s Alkaline and rap artiste out of the United States, OT Genasis, for months. This year, the event in itself has however left some angry, police having been forced to shut things down for some 45 minutes or so, mid way through as a result of violations at the event’s bars.

Alkaline at Tao 2016

Alkaline is kept at bay from adoring female fans at TAO on Saturday night in Trinidad. PHOTO CREDIT: BadAss Photography.

Jamaica’s Alkaline had been anticipated by young dancehall lovers in T&T for months, but on show night, while many had rushed forward when the 23- year- old was introduced, the post- concert reviews have been mixed. Some referred to his performance as a bore but on the flip side, others appreciated it, calling  him the best artiste out of the lot of dancehall newbies. For the most part however, the event’s promoter, Wasomi Promotions has been under attack since the event, many arguing that much of what had been promised and paid for, was not delivered.

One patron angrily expressed her experience on the TAO event page saying:

Imagine they advertised you will meet with the artist up close and personal. That was a lie…we were actually behind the stage and as stated BACK STAGE, I guess that this was the only thing they got right..
It started really late with no explanation.
There were also petitions to enter the venue with no signs saying who is going where..so people had to be jumping around to find the correct line of entrance based on their tickets..
Did you notice the back stage bands was from 2015 and stated vip..shame.
Not enough seating accommodations, as soon as you get up to sneeze yuh,seat gone..
The bake and shark stall really stall….no table provided for them to feed hungry patrons..
Party done…. Or was stopped for a while because the bar sold drinks in glass bottles.. So all glass bottles had to be removed in order for the show to proceed..
Some spoke more than they sang.. And yes we all are from Trinidad😕and some from Arima and South and so on.. Dam it..or and yes we had independent ladies also..same shit,Different toilet paper.
They cut meh boy song.. He pull them up.. He said how could you cut it… Lol.. Start over.. Nice going.. Best performance for the night… We really need to cut it.. No more TAO unless….huh well.. We will observe..
Very disappointing..
The price was just not worth it..cut it..paw..cut it.. Cut it..”

Trinidad and Tobago's Orlando Octave threw sharp remarks at local DJs.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Orlando Octave threw sharp remarks at local DJs.

Separately, we heard the plea on show night of Trinidad and Tobago entertainer, Orlando Octave. He seemed bent on addressing the issue of respect for Trinidad and Tobago’s entertainers. He targeted DJs, saying they continued to be disrespectful to the locals and further arguing that Jamaican dancehall artistes continued to be given the upper hand in his native country.

St. Vincent’s Skinny Fabulous was deemed one of the enjoyments of TAO, however Barbados’ Peter Ram wasn’t as lucky to receive such rave reviews. The reigning CropOver Road March King performed only his 2015 hit, ‘All Ah We’ , failing to get the crowd’s love and opting not to perform his Cropover 2016 single, ‘Goodmorning.’

Can TAO recover for a subsequent show? We think so. Mistakes are there to be made. Errors can be corrected and just maybe, the cast will prove truly entertaining in an all round kind of way, the next time around.

Alkaline is kept at bay from adoring female fans on Saturday in Trinidad. PHOTO CREDIT: BadAss Photography

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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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