Digicel Phase II

IN a twist of unexpected events at this year’s 2006 Panorama Competition — Digicel Phase II Pan Groove inched one and a half points over Neal & Massy All Stars  to win for the second year in a row, the Panorama championship title. Phase II Pan Groove playing Len “Boogsie” Sharpe’s “This One’s For U Bradley,” placed first with 470.5 points, while Neal & Massy All Stars playing Leon “Smooth” Edwards’ arrangement of  De Fosto’s “Soca Warriors,”  placed second with 469 points. This is the fourth Panorama title for Phase II Pan Groove. The song “This One’s For U Bradley,” was composed by the band’s arranger Len “Boogsie” Sharpe and sung by Ronnie Mc Intosh. Phase II took the stage in last position at 2.30 am just three spots after Neal & Massy All Stars shook the savannah with De Fosto’s “Soca Warriors.”

In the preliminary and semi-final rounds of the Panorama competition, Neal & Massy All Stars held onto the top position, while Phase II Pan Groove bounced between second and third place. However, after yesterday morning’s scintillating performance, Phase II deserved to take the title with Boogsie’s beautiful arrangement. Not only were the verses of the tune powerfully delivered, but the tenor men of the band constantly whipped out fast runs, while the bassmen grumbled in response. This sent the crowd in the Grand Stand into a frenzy, with many patrons jumping out of their seats to run closer to the stage. Playing in fifth position, Neal & Massy All Stars had the full support of the crowd as people sang along to the tune “Soca Warriors.” Between the heated runs by the basses and the effectively executed crescendos by the front line, people jumped and waved in the Grand Stand.

Coming in third with 457 points was PCS Starlift with Ray Holman’s arrangement of Derek Seales’ “If we really want.” The tune which was not a popular one for Panorama was played at a slow tempo and was executed very smoothly. Fourth place went to Sagicor Exodus playing a spirited performance of  Destra Garcia’s “Max It Up,” which was arranged by Pelham Goddard. Exodus’ performance was rather fast paced but held a teasing finale where the audience kept thinking the band was ending the tune, but were in fact treated to more undulating runs. This gained the band 452 points. Witco Desperadoes placed fifth with 449 points for their song “Tribute To Bradley,” which was arranged by Eddie Quarless.  The arrangement of the tune did not give off “that Panorama feeling,” but was a moving song for the band’s former arranger the late Clive Bradley, for whom the audience was asked to observe a minute’s silence. 

Nine-time Panorama winners bp Renegades placed sixth with 447 points for Dr Jit Samarro’s arrangement of De Fosto’s “Judgment Day,” impressing the crowd with their roaring basses. Tying for seventh place were TCL Skiffle Bunch and NLCB Fonclaire with 438 points each. Skiffle Bunch played Garcia’s “Colours Again” arranged by Liam Teague while NLCB Fonclaire played a Darren Sheppard arrangement of Denyse Plummer’s “Good Times.” In the medium category Clico Sforzata retained their title for the second time in a row as the 2006 Panorama champs for the medium bands, playing Yohan Popwell’s arrangement of the Baron’s “This Melody Sweet.”

The band gained 469.5 points with their accurate playing which resounded in unison, giving them the reputation that their band sounds like one pan playing on its own. Courts Sound Specialists of Laventille who placed first in the semi-final round had to settle for second place with Ken “Professor” Philmore’s arrangement of “Colours Again.” With a powerful introduction and a big band quality sound, Courts Sound Specialists of Laventille gave the crowd a good “jam session,” gaining 466 points. Sforzata managed to also keep away their close competitor HCL Valley Harps, who placed third with Michelle Huggins Watts arrangement of “This One’s For U Bradley.” HCL Valley Harps executed their drops precisely and thrilled the crowd with their lovely crescendos, which gained them 462 points.