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iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information - Music
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PODCAST: The Soca Sessions 2025 – Bunji Garlin – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
https://open.spotify.com/episode/02M4p3MBS9pocl5pw8lXCZ?si=fFPXHZ1ZQ4qplJCVRbKPAQ Episode 49: Soca Sessions, Season 3 – Bunji Garlin Laura and Nigel chat with soca music's lyrical wordsmith, Bunji Garlin, who pushes the envelope of what the sound of Carnival can be with unique collaborations and lyrical wordplay that speaks to calypso's history as a lyricist's art. Bunji, for more than 25 years, has…
Music Buzz | Reviews (Mar/Apr 2025)ª – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
These reviews appear in the March/April 2025 issue of Caribbean Beat Magazine. Love is my Language Cyndi Celeste (Self-released) The juxtaposition of spoken word and music has been mined on records by legends like Gil Scott-Heron and Mutabaruka. Barbadian poet Cyndi Celeste — on this, her first full length album — uses oft-heard rising cadences and that…
A Grammy Win is a Celebration of Island Music now – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
An edited version of this article appeared in the March/April issue of Caribbean BEat magazine as "Caribbean Grammy glory" Caribbean music has been recorded since the early 1900s — Lovey’s Original Trinidad String Band was recorded in 1912, five years before jazz was first recorded. Since that time, the industry of music in the islands,…
LeAndra Live – Strings and Voice II, a review² – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
An edited version of this article was published in the Trinidad and Tobago Newsday on 29 April 2025 as "LeAndra's voice rises high" Part of life’s mysteries are the unintended consequences of actions and occurrences beyond one’s control. The unavoidable absence due to illness of master musician and advertised special guest artist, Mungal Patesar at…
Destra Garcia: Reflections concert, a review² – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
An edited version of this article was published in the Trinidad and Tobago Newsday as "A brilliant concert from Destra Garcia" on April 15 On Saturday April 12, Destra Garcia, in front of a sold-out Winifred Atwell Auditorium of the Queen’s Hall, proved her worth as more than simply an iconic soca artist, but a…
Music Buzz | Reviews (Jan/Feb 2025)ª – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
These reviews appear in the January/February 2025 issue of Caribbean Beat Magazine. Nessa Preppy Little Miss Arima (Lypso Music/Monk Music) Nessa Preppy, a chameleon among soca’s leading ladies, presents a new album that encompasses new music, with enough tunes to extend the currency of the album beyond one Trinidad Carnival cycle. The 14 tunes range from soca to island…
The Anatomy of a Carnival Fête ª – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
This article first appeared in Caribbean Beat magazine, Issue 186 (January/February 2025) as "Anatomy of a Carnival Fete" A few years ago, a Saint Lucian, recognising me as a Trinidadian in her island, jokingly said to me, “you Trinis like to party a lot,” to which I responded, “we invent fete!” That cute little declaration,…
VIDEO: Interview on Power Breakfast Show – 9 Dec 2024 – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
I recently found an interview I did with Kimiko Scott on the Power Conversations show on Power 102FM Trinidad & Tobago back in December 2024. I thought it was lost. We chatted about the music industry in Trinidad and Tobago, the ins and outs, the strengths and deficiencies, and the potential for growth. I also…
The Anatomy of a Carnival Fête ª – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
This article first appeared in Caribbean Beat magazine, Issue 186 (January/February 2025) as "The Anatomy of a Carnival Fete" A few years ago, a Saint Lucian, recognising me as a Trinidadian in her island, jokingly said to me, “you Trinis like to party a lot,” to which I responded, “we invent fete!” That cute little…
PODCAST: The Soca Sessions – Michael ‘Tano’ Montano – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
https://open.spotify.com/episode/73tmfooySgkuDkNl0YSN5l?si=6s4FQu0PQ1SVIPEN9lBxFg Episode 46: The Soca Sessions 2025 with Michael 'Tano' Montano – Laura and Nigel are back after a long hiatus. They begin the year with the Soca Sessions Interviews with prominent artists, musicians and producers within the soca and Carnival music fraternity. First up is Michael 'Tano' Montano, producer and composer of the 2024…
VIDEO: Music Business conversation with Nigel Campbell and Dennise Demming – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
In this episode, we dive deep into the world of Trinidad & Tobago's music industry with Nigel Campbell, a music businessman, promoter, writer, and podcaster. Nigel discusses his efforts to expand the appeal of island music through various media and live performances. He highlights the challenges and opportunities in commodifying local creativity and the need…
The Road March in Concert II – a review² – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
An edited version of this review was published in the T&T Newsday as “SuperBlue rules Etienne Charles' Road March in Concert II” on 11 February 2025 Etienne Charles continued his high-quality concert presentations for local audiences, this time allowing patrons to understand the popular Carnival song, the road march, as more than entertainment, but as…
Music Buzz | Reviews (Nov/Dec 2024)ª – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
These reviews appear in the November/December 2024 issue of Caribbean Beat Magazine. Nataki Lendor Til All Hear (Self released) Gospel music, praise and worship, revelations and testimonies are best experienced live. This new live album by powerhouse vocalist Nataki Lendor captures the thrill of being blessed with an excellent voice and messages that preface the sung tracks.…
Angela Hunte: Trinidad Phoenix rising – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
This article first appeared in Caribbean Beat magazine, Issue 185 (November/December 2024) as "Angela Hunte: Phoenix Rising" Two years ago, Trinidadian-American Grammy-winning songwriter Angela Hunte underwent heart surgery, temporarily stalling a multi-decade career defined by commercial singing and songwriting growth and success. That two-year delay between surgery and the launch of her new CD, Mango,…
Music Buzz | Reviews (Sep/Oct 2024) ª – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
These reviews appear in the September/October 2024 issue of Caribbean Beat Magazine. Angela Hunte Mango (Self released) Trinidadian-American Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Angela Hunte has released a new album that smartly incorporates the rhythms and tropes of most of the hippest music from the African diaspora: soca, hip-hop, reggae/dancehall, gospel, soul, reggaeton, and Afrobeats. It’s not too much — just…
Women in Calypso: History and Influence – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
Against the backdrop of Calypso History Month in Trinidad & Tobago (October), Nigel Campbell looks at the trailblazing women of calypso — from the 19th century pioneers like Sophie Mattaloney through to the contemporary soca and calypso artists — from Lady Trinidad to Calypso Rose, from Destra Garcia to Nailah Blackman, and more — who continue to revolutionise the…
Who’s the boss…in Soca music? – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
The text analyzes the ranking and success of soca artists within the Caribbean music landscape, utilizing Chartmetric data. It discusses the fragmented state of the industry, highlighting key artists like Kevin Lyttle, Machel Montano, and Nailah Blackman. The lack of substantial growth among artists and the need for cohesive strategies are emphasized.
In T&T, the “Creative Industries” are dead! R.I.P. – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
In Trinidad and Tobago, the creative industries are dead if one is to take a hint from Finance Minister Colm Imbert at his annual Budget Statements. His most recent one, September 30, 2024, his ninth, continues a trend begun in 2020 when he changed the words “creative industries” to “creative and cultural industries” (CCI) in…
VIDEO: The NOW Morning Show interview on “The Importance of Investing in the Cultural Industries” – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
Prior to the Trinidad and Tobago Budget speech carded for 30 September, Nigel Campbell and Dr. Jo-Anne Tull chat with host Jayron 'Rawkus' Remy, on The NOW Morning Show on TTT, on the importance of investment, both public and private, in the cultural and creative industries within the national economy. The trends of under investment,…
Music Buzz | Reviews (Jul/Aug 2024) ª – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
These reviews appear in the July/August 2024 issue of Caribbean Beat Magazine. D-Day Monty Alexander (Peewee!) An artist of the calibre of legendary Jamaican jazz pianist Monty Alexander — more than 70 albums over a 6-decade career — when making new music, it can be argued, is “making events, not just records.” A grander vision than a…
Why Nicholas Brancker matters to Caribbean music? – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
An edited version of this article was published in the July/August issue of Caribbean Beat as "Nicholas Brancker; Beyond the Bajan Invasion" Prolific Barbadian music producer and noted musician and bandleader Nicholas Brancker is critical to the spread of soca beyond the boundary of its Trinidad genesis, and equally important to the spread of the…
Island Songbirds…again: Three Little Birds – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
An edited version of this article was published in the May/June issue of Caribbean Beat as "Three Island Songbirds". Hundreds of travel writers have come to the Caribbean — these “Happy Isles”, this “Continent of Islands” — over the decades to describe the region to international audiences, to affirm or condemn our aesthetic and landscape.…
Freetown Collective at Sound Forge, POS, a review – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
A week before the consciously lyrical island folk heroes, Freetown Collective fly off to the U.K. to make their debut at the legendary Glastonbury Festival, the group performed the fifth and final show of their Tight Spaces Acoustic Tour at the Sound Forge in Mucurapo, Trinidad on Wednesday, 19 June. In the performance space that…
Music Buzz | Reviews (May/Jun 2024)ª – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
These reviews appear in the May/June 2024 issue of Caribbean Beat Magazine. Ayl'Ian Bunji Garlin (Bad Beagle) Bunji Garlin–Ayl'Ian Bunji Garlin is a soca music wordsmith who has no equal. The music — relegated almost exclusively to accompanying Caribbean carnivals — gets a major lift when Bunji uses his broad vocabulary and the rhythm of those words…
Izza Riddum, a Soca and Calypso concert – a review² – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
An edited version of this review was published in the T&T Newsday as "Izza Riddum shows orchestral soca, calypso is more than fete music" on 5 June 2024 At the end of it all, the Izza Riddum, a Soca and Calypso Concert by the National Philharmonic Orchestra (NPO), held last Wednesday at the Lord Kitchener…
PODCAST: Island Music Chat with Kye DeVere – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
LATEST EPISODE Kye chats with Nigel about the new direction she is taking with her music career. London-born and Tobago-based soul singer Kye De Vere has got the attention of producers and music business people in the U.S., who are charting a new direction for this singer that includes new recorded music in the upcoming…
Izza Riddum, a soca and calypso concert by the National Philharmonic – a preview² – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
An edited version of this review first appeared in the T&T Newsday as "Izza Riddum promises high-quality concert from National Philharmonic Orchestra" on 24 May, 2024 The National Philharmonic Orchestra of Trinidad and Tobago (NPO) is on an ongoing mission to expand the local awareness of western classical instrumentation and develop a cadre of musicians…
Queen of the Road: The Calypso Rose Musical – a review² – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
An edited version of this review first appeared in the T&T Newsday as "Calypso Rose Musical: A story for the world to discover" on May 15, 2024 Yes Productions, this past Mother’s day weekend, presented “Queen of the Road: The Calypso Rose Musical” to a packed house at the Central Bank Auditorium, delivering another example…
Izza Riddum, a soca and calypso concert by the National Philharmonic – a preview² – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
An edited version of this review first appeared in the T&T Newsday as "Izza Riddum promises high-quality concert from National Philharmonic Orchestra" The National Philharmonic Orchestra of Trinidad and Tobago (NPO) is on an ongoing mission to expand the local awareness of western classical instrumentation and develop a cadre of musicians to make that connection…
Queen of the Road: The Calypso Rose Musical – a review² – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
An edited version of this review first appeared in the T&T Newsday as "Calypso Rose Musical: A story for the world to discover" Yes Productions, this past Mother’s day weekend, presented “Queen of the Road: The Calypso Rose Musical” to a packed house at the Central Bank Auditorium, delivering another example of national theatre grounded…
Take Two Sunday – Trinibad and other music, a discussion – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
Nigel Campbell joins host Dominic Kalipersad and operator Roger Lee as they have a discussion on the proliferation of Trinibad and zess music, its popularity, and the negative effects of the lifestyle associated with the relatively new genre from Trinidad and Tobago. A historical context, and a broader look at parallel genres like gangsta rap…
Bob Marley One Love: A conversation with actor Hector ‘Roots’ Lewis – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
An edited version of this article was published in the T&T Newsday entitled, "Hector Lewis on his role in Bob Marley: One Love" Imagine if you will, that you are casually checking email after a concert on your 2022 West coast US music tour supporting your recent record, and see an email from Emmy Award-winning…
Stripped Carnival Magic – a review – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
An edited version of this article was published in the T&T Newsday as "Stripped Carnival Magic was more spectacle than spectacular" Teddyson John with Kees Dieffenthaller. Photos © 2024, Crown Media House If a patron went to Teddyson John’s Stripped: Carnival Magic concert at NAPA last evening with no knowledge of the breadth of the…
Etienne Charles: The Road March in Concert – a review – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
An edited version of this article appeared in the TY&T Newsday as, "Etienne Charles celebrates road march history in concert" Etienne Charles’s engagement with the Carnival and its music is ongoing — his albums Kaiso (2011) and Carnival: The Sound of a People, Vol. 1 (2017) and the subsequent live performances here, the evolution of…
Teddyson John is mentor and impresario in Stripped: Carnival Magic, with AUDIO – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
An edited version of this article was published in the Trinidad and Tobago Newsday on 30 January 2024 Saint Lucian soca star Teddyson John returns to the Lord Kitchener Auditorium, NAPA on Wednesday 31 January, for the second consecutive year to deliver his unique grand soca cabaret concert Stripped: Carnival Magic to audiences here in…
Digital marketing for the soca industry in the Caribbean: Take Two Sunday – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
Take Two Sunday hosts Dominic Kalipersad speaks to Music Matters: The Caribbean Edition host Nigel A. Campbell and digital strategist on the ins and outs, and necessity of soca artists having a digital marketing strategy for their career and the music in general. As the 2024 Carnival season heats up in Trinidad, they look at…
Music buzz | Reviews (Nov/Dec 2023) – iRADIO.tt Blog + Journal: Appraisal, Opinion, Information
These reviews appear in the November/December 2023 issue of Caribbean Beat Magazine. Re-Potted Jonathan Scales (Le'Rue) The angular harmonies and rhythms of modern jazz fusion present a rare context for the steelpan to interact, to play to its potential, to exist. Jonathan Scales is an American musician and composer recently transplanted to Brooklyn, New York. And in…