Absence truly makes the heart grow fonder.Top entertainer Machel Montano could certainly attest to that. On November 27, he pulled off quite a feat at the 2010 International Soca Awards (ISA), copping the Over All Male Soca Artist of the Year, even though he took a break from Carnival 2010 for the first time in 28 years. Held at the Lord Kitchener Calypso Auditorium, National Academy for the Performing Arts, Port-of-Spain, the ISA awards was produced by the Soca Awards Organisation Inc.Montano also walked away with the Best Groovy Soca (Male) for the song Thiefin.
Ahead of his planned hiatus, he did, however, record and publish an album simply titled Album 34, which his fans felt was a hit.So, they went on the ISA website and voted him into winners row. His mother/former manager, Elizabeth Montano, and daughter, Malaya Journey Moses Montano, represented him at the ISA Awards."He wasn't here this year, but he presented a full album with many hits and I think it was well deserved," his proud mother said.Montano (Elizabeth) declined to give any insight regarding her son's imminent return to the local stage in 2011, but made it clear that he was at present working hard on his come back.
Breakout female entertainer Buffy (Chrystal Bellille Cuffy) was another fan favourite.
She beat out Fay-Ann Lyons Alvarez for the award for Over All Female Soca Artist of the Year.
Buffy was also voted Best New Soca Artiste-Female, while Swappi (Marvin Davis) was the New Male Soca Artist-Male.
Ravi B amassed the most votes, to clinch the Soca Chutney of the Year prize for Ah Drinka, and his band Karma continued the band's winning ways, by taking home the Over All Soca Chutney Band of the Year title.
It came as no surprise that JW and Blaze won the award for Song of the Year-Palance, while Kernel Roberts took home the Soca Song Writer of the Year prize, as well as Soca Producer of the Year. He shared it with Garret for the songs on which they collaborated: Steam, Palance and Road Show.
While the ceremony was a respectable affair, the ISA awards failed to delivered on the glitz and glamour promised.Many believed it was due to the over zealousness of Soca Award Organisation chief executive officer, Colin Jackman, and his team by setting tickets at $400, refreshments not included.
The pre-awards red carpet reception was an apparent flop, and the advertised start time for the ceremony-7pm-was pushed back, with reason being given. But more importantly almost all the nominees did not attended the ISA awards.