Prime goes 'Under the covers'

He wants people to look at him as the “good example” in the business and why not?  Francis Prime plays three types of saxophone... soprano, tenor and alto, is humble and drug-free.

Being drug-free in the music business takes a certain kind of discipline and it is that discipline and determination that has Prime at the top of his game at present. The affable musician just released his second full-length compact disc Under The Covers which is loaded with 14 songs in R&B, calypso/soca and jazz music. Prime “goes to town” on songs like “Just The Two Of Us”, “Wine Light”, “Passion”, “Turn Me On”, “Always and Forever”, “Dance With My Father” and his trade-mark song Kenny G’s “Forever In Love.” The CD was produced by Kenny Phillips at his KMP Music lab in San Fernando.

Getting to the top was no easy ride for Prime he has been in and out of several music bands constantly trying to improve himself. His musical journey started at the age of 17 when he got his first serious job recapping tyres in Gooding Village in San Fernando. In 1972 Prime met Watty Watkins who introduced him to the trumpet and saxophone and he started playing both instruments. According to Prime, “I stayed under Watty’s wing for some time and then I moved on to Imperial Brass in 1974.” He played ballads on the saxophone and trumpet In 1979 Prime got a job with the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (TTEC) as a tree trimmer, he also shifted base to another band... Volt Express.

Determine to improve himself at his music and in his job Prime went on an 18-month course with fellow crew members and became a linesman with T&TEC.  Musically he formed a group Inner Vision with Kenny J, Lennox Saunders and Dennis Smith. Prime’s first major achievement came in 1984 when he won the popular TV music competition Scouting For Talent with his exceptionally good rendition of “Whiter Shade of Pale”. In the following year (1985) he moved to another music band Earforce and one year later he joined to Raf Robertson and his group. Between 1987 to 1991 Prime played with Sunberg and Wavelength.

In 1991 Prime joined Atlantik and stayed with the band until 1994 when he teamed up with Andy Joseph and Traffik. He says he has a natural feel for ballads but Traffik’s main repertoire is soca music so he splits himself in two to accommodate both. His solo career started just after he won Scouting but he says, “I am not pushing to a full solo career right now but I will not have any fear when that time comes.” Prime who has no formal music training says he cherishes the alto saxophone because the range fits his style. He is now a full-time musician,though not by choice. The A-Class linesman is currently fighting the company in court over what he terms “wrongful dismissal.” In the meantime Francis Prime is pushing the sales of his CD and preparing for the upcoming Carnival season with Traffik.