The season of goodwill and soca parang is upon us. It's certainly that time of year we anticipate, hopeful that new music will usher in feelings of peaceful and harmonious brotherhood. Already, the familiar hits are on radio rotation, and some new chorus lines are being unleashed. One such track comes from the belly of the island's only musical trio, H2OPhlo.
H2OPhlo offersjoy andlaughter
The T&T Guardian, in its quest to find out what's bubbling for Christmas 2010, spoke with the members of H2OPhlo. According to Keston Rosales, Christmas is about fun, enjoyment and happiness. As a result, he said the music coming outof H2OPhlo's camp this season was a reflection of the elements they would like to see embraced throughout the Christmas season this year.
Already, H2OPhlo has released a song entitled Christmas. And on the heels of that release comes a second Christmas hit they're calling Lonely. "Lonely is about a man who's always alone for the season. It's a humorous parang track," said group member Rosales, highlighting that females' names were called throughout the track as the lonely man was asked where his female counterparts had suddenly gone. Junior Nelson, Jason Seecheran (Fridge), and Rosales have, for many years, offered beautiful music to match the euphoria of the season.
They each offered festive greetings to the people of T&T, with one common sentiment being hope for a happy and enjoyable season. "I just want everyone to know that H2OPhlo will always be here for Christmas and for them, and we'll never give up on them. This is what we're here for," said Rosales.
Nelson, meanwhile, called for prayer this season, urging the people of T&T to talk to God, whom he said, always led His people on the right path.
Scrunter ready for a
nnual pork dance
Soca parang king, Scrunter, is never quiet at this time of year. For over a decade he has produced numerous seasonal hits, inclusive of Anita, Miss Glor
ia, Madam Jeffery, Dat is Yuh Family, among countless others. Christmas 2010 is no different. Already, he's unleashed two tracks for the season, Pension-a traditional soca parang song-and in a surprising twist, he's offered a ballroom ballad called All I Want For Christmas. Scrunter's schedule is packed, as expected, and he told the T&T Guardian he still had four new tracks to deliver to the people. "I'm getting ready to release the other tracks this week," on November 15, he said. "I'm preparing for a lot of Christmas gigs and, of course, my Pork Dance on December 18." Scrunter, whose real name is Irwin Reyes Johnson, told us he stayed in this arena because he knew a lot about Christmas. "As a country man, I know a lot about Christmas. There are never-ending topics to sing about at Christmas time, like Eat Something Before Yuh Go, that's a popular phrase you hear throughout the season," he explained, showing how simple it was to utilise common moments of the season and turn them into songs.
Miranda eases through with expanse repertoire
Marcia Miranda has been on the local parang scene for years. Her voice soothes and infects, and for this reason, she is one of the most prominent artistes of the season. In a brief chat with The T&T Guardian, she explained, "I don't have any new soca parang songs because I don't think it's necessary as my repertoire is so long."
Miranda said this Christmas promised to be quite a hectic one. "Just when I thought things would be slow, people seem to want to celebrate. I guess with so many things happening to other people around the world, we are thankful here that nothing has affected us," she speculated.
Her schedule, she explained, was quite filled, with her team even being forced to give up few gigs for the season. "I really look forward to entertaining people because I like the mood of the people at Christmas. I like the atmosphere-people are happier and more joyful. I also look forward to spending time with family. I love being a Trinidadian and sharing in the excitement of the season," she highlighted. Miranda, like many of this season's musicians, said she hopes her music will touch the hearts of families across the country.
"Besides the music, my health experience has been something that I've been able to share with many women, so that's another reason for many people to be happy about-good health. I wish everyone a happy, holy and safe Christmas and I urge you all to have an attitude of gratitude this year and into the future."