At a glance, the calypsoes chosen for the National Joint Action Committee's (NJAC) top 40 of 2013 appears to be a good mix of social commentary and party music. However, many calypso and soca fans will be alarmed to see that Bunji Garlin's smash hit Differentology is not on the list.
Differentology, one of the anthems for Carnival 2013, was hailed by soca fans and industry pundits as one of the most refreshingly different tunes for several years. The collaboration between Bunji Garlin and Nigel Rojas of the rock band Orange Sky has been nominated for a Soul Train Award and a remix of the tune by DJ collective Major Lazer was one of the go-to tunes for DJs playing at dance music festivals around the world. It's extremely surprising that it didn't make the top 40, considering that most people probably can't even hum the chorus of some of those that are on the list.
One of songwriter Christophe Grant's strongest compositions for the year is among the calypsoes chosen. The song � Politics Does Spoil de Lime - won Stephen Marcelle this year's Young Kings Monarch title.
My favourite political commentary for the year though, Kurt Allen's Political Symphony, is also among the top 40 calypsoes chosen by the National Action Cultural Committee (NACC), cultural arm of the NJAC, producers of the Young Kings Calypso Monarch and the Veterans Calypso competitions.
Also selected is Travel Woes, the song which won Pink Panther (Eric Taylor) this year's National Calypso Monarch title, as well as Fantastic Friday (SuperBlue); Float (Machel Montano); Bubble (Iwer George); and, Live Life Like You Playing Mas (Kees Dieffenthaler and David Rudder).
From the 40 calypsoes selected a panel of judges will select the Top 20 Calypsoes of 2013 which will be awarded at the 26th Annual Top 20 Calypso Stars of Gold and Calypso of the Year Awards on January 11 at the Ballroom, Cascadia Hotel, St Anns.
The Top 20 Awards are awards of distinction and represent the pinnacle of achievement for excellence in calypso composition and our system of adjudication seeks to tap our collective wisdom in order to establish national consensus about the essence of truly great calypsoes.
Tagged for Christmas
Twenty years of brunching and going strong; along with almost 20 years of voluntary community service in music education and performance. Beside the high success rate in theory and practical examinations and a number of students performing for various occasions, Trinity All Generations School (TAGS) can now boast of producing its first CD � Tagged for Christmas. For $60 each you can avoid all the crowds and hassles of Christmas shopping because it can be the perfect Christmas gift for family, friends and associates.
Also, it's time for TAGS Annual Sunday Morning Brunch, to be held at Trinity Cathedral on Sunday, November 17, from 11 am - 3 pm at a cost of $35. Last year almost 500 of these children attended and had a great time being entertained by the Treasury Singers, Independence Calypso Monarch Chucky, The Incredible Myron B and TAGS students as well.
Cruisin' in stilettos
On Saturday, December 28, a fund-raising event billed as Stilettos would be hosted aboard the Treasure Queen, berthed at Pier 2, Chaguaramas. This is a charity event that Constance Productions is having to raise funds for Nicolette Bravo, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012, a disease that not only drains one mentally and physically but financially. Bravo has maxed out her benefits as she copes valiantly with her ailment and this event is an attempt to assist her financially.
To highlight the challenges of cancer, especially in young women, Jamilia Constance's Constance Productions is filming a documentary � Behind the doors � its focus revolving around the real world of cancer, with video and editing by Denity.
The name of the cruise Stilettos was chosen because when a woman wears stilettos she not only exudes sexiness but beauty and confidence. Speaking to Pulse this week, Constance said: "There is life after cancer and the Stiletto Foundation has been started for this cause. This is not just a fight for Nicky but for all the men, women and children who have cancer. We aim to attract at least 500 to the December 28 boat cruise."
TOP 40 SELECTIONS OF 2013:
The list in alphabetical order of the selections is as follows:
Able Disable Hamidullah (Hamidullah Wahid)
Ah Buying Ninja (Kenson Neptune)
Apple From the Snake Diamond (Patrick Lewis)
Asylum Without a Gate Henson Wright (Prince)
Bear With Me Chucky (Roderick Gordon)
Bubble Iwer George
Call Meh Name Destra Garcia
Come Back to What Marvellous Marva (Marva Joseph)
Ent Yuh Know Rikki Jai (Samraj Jaimungal)
Failure Is Not an Option Singing Sandra (Sandra desVignes-Millington)
Fantastic Friday Super Blue (Austin Lyons)
Float Machel Montano
For ah Crown Dillon Thomas
I Ain't Marrying No More Raymond Ramnarine
I Pay Honour Cindy Alleyne (Ife Alleyne)
Implementation a Must Joy C (Bridgette Creese)
In the Age of Blog Kizzie Ruiz
Key to Success Nature (Michael John)
Live Life Like You Playing Mas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kes Dieffenthaler (Kes) and David Rudder
Look How Trinbago Come All Rounder (Anthony Hendrickson)
Meh Partnership Karene Asche
More Questions Bro Valentino (Anthony Emrold Phillip)
More Than Oil Drum Joanne Foster
My Response Sugar Aloes (Michael Osouna)
No Guns, No Weapons King Luta (Morel Peters)
No Moral Authority Alana Sinnette
None of The Above Eunice Peters
One More Recruit Ezekiel Yorke
Political Symphony Kurt Allen
Politics Does Spoil de Lime Stephen Marcelle
Prodigal Son Chalkdust (Dr Hollis Liverpool)
Say a Prayer Shirlane Hendrickson
Sparrow's Advice Duane O'Connor
Tainted Legacy Helon Francis
Target 365 Malaika Ballantyne
Tears For the Children Khadja Antoine
The Old Man's Lament Heather Mac Intosh
Travel Woes Pink Panther (Eric Taylor)
When You Take a Life Sergio Francisco
With You I Belong Roslyn Reid