Ebuzz News
Archived: Tribe Ice Gets Great Turnout. Machel Montano Still Running Things.
The carnival excitement is here. A short season means a rapid succession of fetes. Last weekend, on the heels of Scorch’s 1st Jam on New Year’s Day, EBUZZTT took on Tribe Ice at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain and as was expected, the masses made good of the invitation to fete till dawn.
In typical Tribe fashion, the venue was well laid out. Performances from Skinny Fabulous, Shal Marshall, Marzville, Lyrikal, Erphaan Alves, Voice and Marge Blackman and Patrice Roberts thrilled most and those who weren’t impressed probably didn’t have enough of those Patron shots that were being passed around, to wet their palate. Just saying.
Patrice Roberts’ body is banging.
Now, Patrice Roberts, rocking a lilac colored pixie cut and showing off her sexy physique, which made us all stop and wonder for a minute, was definitely the show stopper. Her confidence has taken off and with what some are calling the Road March anthem in her back pocket, the young Soca mom killed it when she stepped on stage to belt out “Criminal Wine” with Lyrikal. He too had a pretty good set, and with Voice following a short time later, the crowd was given a great sense of what’s to come at fetes this season.
Erphaan Alves is having a phenomenal season. His song, “OverDue” is a crowd favorite.
Tribe’s events have always attracted the young and impressionable. The DJs have however, continuously proven that they have a pretty limited appreciation for the amazing cadre of soca artistes who, year after year, give the people so many powerful anthems to enjoy at fetes. This year, once again, the DJs couldn’t seem to cure themselves of the “Machelitis” they’ve been infected with for years. With a number of blockbuster 2018 anthems already being blazed on the urban airwaves, the DJs at Tribe Ice failed to effectively show the partying public that there are a smorgasbord of big tunes this season, including Road March champions, Ultimate Rejects’ “Vex”, “Whole Day” and “Inside De Festival,” and not forgetting new music from Destra Garcia who has give us a wicked Carnival hit in, “Gimme,” Ricardo Drue and Fay Ann Lyons’ collaboration on Drue’s Antigua Soca Monarch winning hit, “Another Level,” and even Shurwayne Winchester has a monster Road March contender in a track called, “Wi Carnival.”
The season is here. Shal Marshall, Patrice Roberts, Kees and Erphaan Alves are out the gates with tunes that have the public eating out of their hands, but once again, without the versatility of the DJ, a number of incredible soca anthems just won’t see the light of day. What say you? Share your thoughts on this in our comments section here at www.ebuzztt.com.
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Destra Delivers Powerfully at Reflections.
“If this sharing that I’m doing touches anyone, I’m truly grateful. None of us are perfect. Some days you’ll feel good, some days you won’t, but it’s all part of the journey. Sometimes what you’re looking for is right on the horizon, and the moment you give up, you miss it. If my testimony makes anyone feel something, then my work here is done.” – DESTRA GARCIA
Trinidad and Tobago received a musical showcase of spiritual awakening yet again this past Saturday, at Destra’s ‘Reflections: Sound. Spirit. Surrender.” The event took place at Queen’s Hall, St. Ann’s and proved to be a truly inspiring and uplifting musical experience.
From the onset, the show set a standard that fans of good music with powerful lyrics, would rave about for weeks. David Rudder – a cultural icon of Calypso music out of Trinidad and Tobago, welcomed the audience as he hit the stage first delivering the very fitting, ‘High Mas.’ It was a powerful blessing no doubt – something that would lead into a seamless spiritual production. He was subsequently joined on stage by Destra, something that created a full-circle moment that drew immediate emotion from the audience.
Known for her unmistakeable vocal ability, Destra took her audience on a carefully curated musical journey, opening her set with Free Again before transitioning into slowed-down, soul-stirring renditions of some of her most beloved songs, including Love Somebody and Fly and with each performance, she revealed a different layer of her artistry, offering vulnerability, reflection, and strength.
One of the night’s most touching highlights came as Garcia shared the stage with her daughter, Xaiya, for a heartfelt duet of The Prayer. Beginning at the piano, Xaiya gently set the tone before joining her mother in song, creating an intimate moment that resonated deeply with the audience.
The production, which was creatively directed by Zara Bartels and Isoke Edwards, also showcased the incredible talent of father and son pan duo Martin and De’jean Cain as well as the Maria Regina Grade School and St. Joseph’s Convent Port- of- Spain choirs, whose vibrant and polished performances brought a refreshing, youthful energy to the stage. Gospel artiste, Nisa joined Garcia for a powerful duet of Bridge Over Troubled Water. She also performed her original composition Make Me Over, adding another layer of spiritual depth to the evening.
As the show built toward its finale, Garcia delivered a commanding rendition of Ella Andall’s Bring Down the Power, followed by classic hymns including A Little More Oil in My Lamp. This climactic segment was elevated by the presence of traditional belle dancers and African drummers, creating a rich, cultural fusion that brought the audience to its feet. Beyond the performances, the overall production, brought to life through Bridgette Wilson’s choreography and Atiba Borde’s costuming, stood out for its seamless execution, immersive ambience, and thoughtful storytelling, reinforcing Reflections as more than just a concert, but a transformative experience.
Reflections certainly delivered a powerful blend of music, filled with deep messages and meaning. In what is a very spiritual season, Destra, through the delivery of ‘Reflections,’ has carved out a space for inspiration and connection within Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural landscape – something that many would agree, is a necessity more than an option.