Big Three at Pan Explosion II

Members of BP Renegades at Pan Explosion II

TrinbagoPan.com Reporters
November 25, 2006

Pan Explosion II was held at the BP Renegades Pan Yard on Charlotte Street on Friday, 24th November, 2006. Three of the biggest bands in the country – WITCO Desperadoes Steel Orchestra, Caribbean Airlines Invaders Steel Orchestra and of course BP Renegades Steel Orchestra -were present in full force to once again demonstrate their talents to their avid supporters.

On first entering the compound at around 8p.m., the crowd was already a large and acceptable one considering the size of the venue. However, less than an hour after, the Renegades Pan Yard was packed even further with hundreds more proving that the people have a strong love for the steelpan instrument and appreciate the works of these various pan orchestras.

Many members of other steelpan fraternities such as the Neal and Massy Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra, Spree Simon Harmonics and Gonzales Sheikers Steelband, just to name a few, were also present.

Other big names in the business such as legendary icons Mr. Rudolph Edwards, a senior member of WITCO Desperadoes Steel Orchestra; Mr. Mikey Proud, Mr. Roy ‘Tempo’ Mc Kain, Mr. Neville Rodriguez, ‘Ram’, Mr. Kirton ‘Eddy Boom’ Moore and Rudolph Phillip of BP Renegades Steel Orchestra; Narenera ‘Rene’ Barran, former chairman of the senior members of BP Renegades Steel Orchestra; Joe Brown, producer for Desperadoes and Renegades; Francis Payne, President of Gonzales Sheikers Steelband; Aldwin St. Cyr former chairman of the senior members of BP Renegades Steel Orchestra; Ian Baird, arranger and vice captain and Milton Paul, captain of Spree Simon Harmonics and others. Even Rapso artiste Karega Mandela and King of Rapso Lutalo ‘Brother Resistance’ Masimba were spotted enjoying the music.

Also, seeing that this event took place during the Christmas season, audience members were treated to wonderful Parang performances by the Del Caribe Parang group. Couples were seen moving and shaking to the Parang melodies but nothing pulled the crowd together like the pan music.

Once all three steelbands played, the pan experience ended after 1a.m. Still, people stuck around to interact with friends and dance to more pan and parang music which was provided by the DJ.

Pan Explosion II sucessfully previewed whats in store for supporters of local music, offering a glimpse of the excitement yet to come.

Pan Explosion II in pictures:
www.trinbagopan.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=2705