Unsung hero

THE EDITOR: Every now and again, heroes emerge who for one reason or another, remain widely unacknowledged and unrecognised. The steelpan scene is no different, with every arranger having their supporters who will espouse on their respective virtues. There is however, an arranger among us who continues to amaze, thrill, seduce, and tantalise us year after year, but who manages to remain widely unacknowledged for his talent and contribution. The critics ignore, while the people sing and dance. I speak of no other than that gifted, but largely unrewarded son of the soil, Leon “Smooth” Edwards.

Let us examine Smooth Edward’s contribution to panorama in TT. There is no other pan arranger whose music has enjoyed the wide level of acceptance and popularity that Smooth’s has, year after year. Which other pan arranger can boast of having given us hits like “Curry Tabanca”, “Unknown Band”, “Suck Meh Soucouyant”, “Precious Lord”, “Rain Melody”, “Firestorm” and what much surely be the most popular panorama arrangement of all time, “Woman on the Bass”? Yet still, when the self appointed critics rant and rave we hardly ever hear the name of Leon “Smooth” Edwards, being uttered. Is this yet another cause of the prophet not being recognised by his own? The man, after terrorising competitors in the 80s, left the scene for ten years then returned in 1998.

Who gave him a chance of making an impact after such a long layoff? Yet still he was able to convincingly win the Panorama People’s choice prize and the panorama 3rd place for his work in that first year back. Over the last three years, Smooth’s music has placed no less than 2nd in both Panorama and Pan in the 21st century competitions, with wins in both categories. Anyone who frequents pan shows during the year will easily acknowledge that people simply cannot contain themselves when his music is played. Is this gimmick or gift? Surely gimmick would have run out a long time ago! As we mature as a people, we must start to give recognition where it is due. We must start to give recognition, not based on preference, but on merit. We must dispassionately look at contribution and acknowledge accordingly. I wish the Smoothman all that he deserves in 2004 and beyond.

DARYL JOSEPH
Port-of-Spain