The debate is on. Let me hear Mello Sello steel pan sound !!!
In many young circles, the music of 2013, by our bands, seems very impressive, while on the other hand many people feel the complete opposite. Well I maintain my opinion that: there is some erosion in what was once considered to be great sound, tasteful and harmonious melodies. I am referring to the kind of music that persons with “spending power” would gravitate to – would pay their last dime, put on their dress best, or even stop cooking to go out and listen to, and even shake a leg.
Songs like Endless Action, Scratch Me Where Itch Me, Tired Bodies, Wuk Up A Sweat, Chick, Chick, Chick –Run Come, Mek Me Laugh and Fix It, to name a few, were instant hits from the time they were recorded and released.
North Sound Brass’ music penetrated deep and wide. Speaking of brass, since that era when Turkey, Drake, Tash and de late Music Master assembled that awesome quarto, none of our musicians saw it fit to take that page, read it and develop their bands on that platform. Hit after hit was created by North Sound Brass International – and later by the energetic, charismatic innovation of the Mussington Brothers with sweet lines, breathtaking vocals and harmony that could blow anything or anybody away.
Anguilla’s name was widely known and the bands were well respected at home and abroad. Those two bands made Anguilla’s music the envy of many, including the Burning Flames, 17plus and Jam Band. This is not an over statement. Anguilla’s bands and music transcended many oceans of water. The guys had to frequently change their travelling documents for they were in high demand.
Yes, the friendly rivalry existed. Strong outbursts of words could be heard over the microphones on Jouvert Morning, outside Landsome Bowl, as to who drowned out whom, who was better, who was sweeter and even who had greasy heads. But that did not prevent the sweet music from being created and produced. The quality did not diminish in any form, as the guys persevered.
The music had, and still has, “Good Shelf Life”. Today, our local DJs, including King Mello Sello, over whose stations many of the tracks were released, can testify to this. Also the seasoned DJ Hammer and his young dynamic team at Klass Fm. I am sure they would testify that when they punched in one of those songs from that time, they got many reviews of the high quality. DJ Yush does a great job on Saturdays as he goes back in time and spins the tracks that cause persons to utter, “Dat is Music”. Well it shows and says one thing.: lots of energy, commitment and dedication were placed in their production – and with limited resources. Our bands knew what a good product was and ensured that it had “Good Shelf Life”. The music had good taste and was marketable. Sadly, it is not quite so today. Yes, one might say that times have changed, and we have evolved as expected, but we don’t need to change the ingredients to add MSG to our Anguilla peas and rice. We don’t need to change boiling our conkies in grape leaves to boiling them in aluminum foil. Let’s us stay with the salt and pepper and leave the ‘season all’ out.
With the advent of the Better Band and AXA Band, there was indeed a climate of excitement with lively sounds. We could sit or stand and munch heartedly on Hodgie’s concepts and brilliance. So too was the unique and identical genius of his cousin, Daddy Moustache. Better Band was doing great, and Hodgie ensured that a sweet, well rendered “love zouk” formed part of the product. Pantha was there with his road march slammers with a good tempo. It was all good.
Sledge and Chewawah were licking musical shots left and right, with Ivor Hull and me playing our part as required. These were the last of the real good times, someone reminded me over the weekend. I can recall Iwandai saying that he can’t play it if it isn’t good. He referred to AXA Band as the best assembly of musicians ever. Extreme Band came along with a good heat but that fire did not stay lit for too long. What was left of the Mussingtons had some good moments but, as we know, the essence and original ingredients were missing and for the most part never to be restored or retrieved. “If Only – If Only”.
Latest was on the scene and, with Wiggy, was an instant refresher with a bright path. But then the separation. I am a firm believer that each time there is a change of personnel in any band, it is like starting all over again. Ego will always show its ugly head. We know of the many marriages and divorces that occurred over many recent times with our bands. Now it is drafting that is occurring.
It would have been an outstanding, and a very thoughtful and wise, gesture if consideration was given to including a unity song or tune making an appeal to bring and end to the random and senseless acts of violence in our communities. What is used as the Intro, could have been used to promote the positive message. What is the real purpose of the intro anyway?
The music to my mind over the period of the 80s – 90s, and some part of the new millennium, was not made of recycled material. Advanced planning and forward thinking were part of the strategic plan. There was no need to refrigerate Anguilla Music, like Bongo told me. Our music was like a piece of hot fungi: one bite or small taste and your belly full. You always wanted more. Like it was cooked on the three fire-rocks and it has, to this day, Good Shelf Life… Let’s give it up for what was good.
