The Soca unit gives spectacular show before Caribbean tour

As they embark on a tour up the islands, Vince Rivers and The Soca Unit turned in a spectacular farewell performance last Friday night at the Police 2nd Division Mess Lounge, Long Circular Road, St James. With Rivers on guitar, and Kerlene Joseph and Abbyshai Jackson doing lead vocals, the unit performed a delightful mix of popular selections, spanning soca, dancehall, hip hop, pop and ballads, much to the delight of a full house. The group’s repertoire included Cool It, Baddist, I am Soca, and Party Animal. Making a special guest appearance was acclaimed police officer cum vocalist Dexter Theophile, a past star on Scouting for Talent. He had women in the house swooning as he crooned Teddy Pendergras’ Somebody Loves You Back and The Temptations’ My Girl.

 

 

Rivers and The Soca Unit began their Caribbean tour yesterday, beginning in Anguilla. The band performs today at the Soca Melee Divas Concert, featuring Nadia Batson and St Vincent’s Zola. The actual launch of Anguilla’s Carnival is July 28 and The Soca Unit is one of its headline acts. Next month, The Soca Unit will be a special guest act at the Anguilla Soca Monarch final on August 3. One of the biggest events for the entire carnival— Sandy Grounds Beach Party—takes place on August 6, and again Rivers’ band will star, with Denise Belfon as one of its headline acts. The Soca Unit travels to Grenada after Anguilla for a massive show called Free Day, staged by Talpree.

 

 

Anguilla is the venue for the 16th annual Leeward Islands Calypso Competition, scheduled for August 11, and that event’s headline act will be multiple Road March champion Super Blue. Organising committee member Keithley Lake said last week: “Following last year’s show, someone asked me, ‘after David Rudder, who will you get?’ We are fortunate that we have been able to procure the services of SuperBlue.” The newest, swinging nightspot in the north, the Police 2nd Division Mess Lounge is expected to rock even more on the night of July 28 when TJ Master & The SDO Mess say It’s a State of Fun. Non stop music can be expected by DJs Mr Q, CG, Dr Ross, Franco, Kirby, Fireman and Master Chin.