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Machel Montano's 'Rezzarek' Concert
Machel Montano performing his hit song 'Higher than High'
TriniSoca.com Reporters
Event Date: February 10, 2007
Posted: February 16, 2007
Machel Montano's annual Carnival concert, dubbed the Alternative Concept, began as an alternative event to other larger popular Carnival fetes held on the jam-packed Friday preceding Carnival week. While the event has grown steadily throughout the five years of its existence, attracting larger and larger crowds, it was this year's Alternative Concept 5: Rezzarek, celebrating Machel's 25 years in the Soca business that catapulted the event from being an alternative event, to the main attraction.
Rezzarek was held on Saturday 10th February, 2007, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain instead of the previously advertised Queen's Park Savannah. The theme Rezzarek: Open the Book of Angels, was a theatrical and musical event that told the story of the rebirth of Soca and showed Machel's desire to take the music to a new level. With the stellar stage and costume design by the renowned Masman, Peter Minshall, AC5 raised the bar for Carnival events with a solid cast of Soca performers and excellent theatrical presentation.
The venue was divided into VIP and General Admission areas, with VIP patrons receiving drink chits with which to acquire refreshments for the evening. The media, however, had to find whatever space it could to cover the event, as adequate space was not provided for them by the organizing committee. Another flaw in the organization appeared to be the presence of only one large screen for the huge crowd of approximately 30,000 patrons to view the event. Some reports also indicated that VIP patrons felt shortchanged on arrival at the event when they were told that they would receive $100.00 drink chits and $50.00 food chits despite paying a minimum of $400 for these VIP tickets. These reports also indicate that patrons complained about the drinks at the VIP bar being 'watered down', further shortchanging the patrons. Although the event, overall, appeared to be relatively well-organized and patrons seemed to have had a ball, organizers should consider these elements to ensure a tighter event next year.
The Stadium rocked to the music of the likes of Denise Belfon and Spontaneous whose "Bicycle Wine" thrilled the enthusiastic audience. The eclectic roots-rock turned Soca band, 'The Orange Sky' showed another side of its musical talent, backing Denise Belfon's performance and showcasing its popular songs "The Miracle" and "So High". While sound problems plagued the beginning of the show and slightly hampered Denise's vocals, that could not dampen the crowd's enthusiasm and the quality of the performances.
The Sagicor Exodus Steel Orchestra changed the mood with the sweet sounds of Steel and put the audience in the mood for the next performer, 'Kes the Band'. This band, led by Kees Diffenthaller and breakout star and easily the best songwriter of 2007, Nadia Batson, delivered a powerful performance complete with bele dancers. A skit featuring dancers battling out in true 'dutty wine' style for Kees' heart and powerful vocal skills, thrilled the crowd. With performances of "Caribbean Girl" and "One Island", "Stay With Me" and "Push Back" as well as various interludes into dancehall, and R&B mixes, Kees and Nadia showed why they emerged in first place in the Soca Monarch semi finals and are definitely a duo to watch at the upcoming Soca Monarch finals.
Rikki Jai took the stage next and the crowd visibly erupted when they heard the first few beats of the Chutney King's hit "Mor Tor". Maximus Dan's performance met his usually high standards, entertaining the crowd with his driving and inspirational songs "Royal" and 2007 song "Flag Invasion" with Nigel Rojas of The Orange Sky. Maximus' set was marked by the appearance of a legend in the Soca arena, Carl Jacobs along with his wife and daughter Carol and Trini Jacobs, as they performed the Carl and Carol classic "Love Up" and Maximus Dan's "Love Generation" much to the delight of the audience. David Rudder, one of the icons of Calypso, took the stage next with an electrifying performance of "Bahia Girl", "Calypso", "Trini to the Bone" and "Hammer". With his awesome stage presence he christened the Hasely Crawford stadium, the 'Temple of Soca'.
Local reggae artiste Prophet Benjamin emerged on stage next giving too brief a taste of his hits "Congo Bongo", "Stop" and "Fire Finger" which left the crowd chanting his name and wanting more. Their cries were appeased only when the MC for the night, Shal Marshall, announced that the man of the hour, Machel Montano would be taking the stage next.
Machel's appearance on stage was heralded by the appearance of Moko Jumbies with long locks and a short theatrical presentation where a red bird, which appeared to represent the music, culture and essence of Trinidad and Tobago, was being killed and mourned for by the people. The mood was lifted, however, by the arrival of the Jeane Agape Choir dressed as 'belocksed' angels singing Machel's smash hit for the Carnival season, "Higher". A Moko Jumbie dressed as an angel character with white wings moved through the audience as a benediction upon the screaming crowd. It was indeed a fitting opening for the performer that has in many ways changed the face of contemporary Soca music.
Machel's performance featured several artists with whom he has collaborated musically in recent times such as Blazer Dan singing his hits "Jouvert" and "Be Mine Tonight". Peter C. Lewis gave a rousing performance of "Tay Lay Lay", Zan performed "Heart of a Man" and Benjai performed "Amnesty": an anti crime appeal. Machel took the wildly appreciative crowd on a musical journey, from "Too Young To Soca", "Big Truck", "Footsteps", "With or Without You", "Fire Man", "Toro Toro" to "Its Carnival"- a new Soca classic. Machel also performed new songs "Like Bollywood" with the vocal skills of Nadia Madoo with the Shiv Shakti Dancers and "Sha Na Na" (Japanese wine) with Japanese Soca artist, Minmi. Joint Road March Queen, Patrice Roberts then took the stage for a rousing performance of 2006's "Band of the Year" and 2007's Road March contender "Light It Up".
The close of the concert featured a stunning visual display of Moko Jumbies, skeleton puppets and Jumbie-styled versions of Minshall's Tan Tan and Saga Boy costumes, all to highlight the performance of arguably his strongest Road March contender this year, "Jumbie". The crowd had been calling for the song for much of the night, and was not disappointed. Dancers, costumes and a dramatic presentation, which featured the resurrection of the 'Bird of Soca', flooded the stage as the evening rose to an electrifying crescendo.
Overall AC5, Rezzarek, was an event fitting of the new "Prince of Soca" and the audience was not disappointed. All can certainly look forward to bigger and better things from Machel and the Alternative Concept 6.
Machel Montano 'Rezzarek' Concert in pictures:
www.trinisoca.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=58294
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