PANORAMA SHOWDOWN TONIGHT - PANDORA VS MUSIC IN WE BLOOD

De Fosto’s “Pandora” will try to suck the marrow out of Len “Boogsie” Sharpe’s “Music in we Blood,” when three of TT’s top bands try to dethrone 2002 Panorama champs, Neal and Massy All Stars, at tonight’s National Panorama Finals at the Queen’s Park Savannah.

Both Witco Desperadoes and Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove will be playing, “Music in we Blood,” while Exodus and Neal and Massy each try to convince the judges which has a better version of “Pandora”. A total of 13 bands are competing for the crown. Of them, four are playing “Pandora” and five, “Music in we Blood”. Despers, which placed third in the national semis, is depending on veteran Clive Bradley to bring them the first place, a spot that has eluded them for the past two years since their victory with Oba’s “Mirror on my Wall” in 2000. Despers plays in third position tonight. Phase II Pan Groove however, has had its “Music in we Blood” arranged by Sharpe himself. The Woodbrook band, which took first place in the semis and celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, will try to bring back the glory days of the eighties tonight. Phase II last won Panorama in 1988 with “Woman is Boss.” It plays at position number eight.

Exodus will challenge Neal and Massy head on by playing “Pandora.” The St Augustine band’s rendition is arranged by Pelham Goddard, and they play in the coveted 13th place.  Exodus last won in 2001. It placed second in the semis. Leon “Smooth” Edwards will seek to take All Stars to victory again with his arrangement of De Fosto’s tune. The Duke Street orchestra plays fifth. Meanwhile, pan enthusiasts say look out for TCL Skiffle Bunch and Excellent Stores Silver Stars, which were crowd favourites at the semis playing Ian Wiltshire’s, “Trini to the Bone” and Chritophe Grant’s “Identity.” Their arrangers are Lloyd Martin and Edwin Pouchet, respectively. The show starts at 7pm.