Trinidad and Tobago Carnival: Part 8 - Machel Montano

Filed Under thoughts, articles, multimedia, series, Trinidad and Tobago Carnival | Posted on February 20, 2007

This is part of the series:

Last Friday (Carnival Friday) night your favorite Trini introvert hit the town! You can blame this atypical behavior on the fact that one of my best friends is in town for her annual Carnival pilgrimage. Although there were several fetes going on we ultimately decided to go to the popular Zen nightclub to see the artist that I consider one of Trinidad’s living musical legends, Machel Montano! And boy did we get our money’s worth (even if we had to pay scalpers for our tickets!)

Machel Montano : Reveal


From his official MySpace page:
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Machel Montano HD and his band Xtatik have been the premier soca band in the Caribbean for more than a decade and have established themselves as the leading draw at major events in New York City , Miami , Toronto , and London and throughout the Caribbean Diasporas. Machel is recognized as the leading performer in the soca music genre and is highly regarded as well as a songwriter, producer and band leader.
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Machel began his career in 1982 at age seven. As early as 1984, he formed his band Pranasonic Express now called XTATIK. Machels debut album TOO YOUNG TO SOCA, released in 1985, was an instant hit which earned him many rave reviews and standing ovations wherever he performed.

In 1986, he appeared on Star Search in Hollywood bringing Soca Music to the screens of US National Television. He was described as a Stevie Wonder of Soca. Machel and XTATIK have performed with many popular international entertainment personalities including: Freddie Jackson, TLC, Third World , Shaggy, El Debarge, Destinys Child, The Boyz, Kris Kross, Buju Banton, Ziggy Marley, Garnet Silk, Shabba Ranks, Bounty Killa and many others.
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In 1987, at the age of twelve, Machel became the first Trinidadian and youngest Entertainer to win the Caribbean Song Festival. In 1991 at sixteen, he won the Young Kings Competition. XTATIK won best playing music band on the road for CARIBANA 94 and MIAMI CARNIVAL 94. In 1995 Machel won Party Vocalist of the year and in 1996 XTATIK won Party band of the Year. In 1995 and 1997 Machel & Xtatik journeyed to London and mesmerized the sold out crowds.
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In 1997 Machel became the youngest ROAD MARCH KING of Trinidad & Tobago and XTATIKS album HEAVY DUTY has been described as one of the best selling SOCA Albums ever.

SIGHTS:

Machel Montano

Machel played an almost 90 minute non-stop set… that was pure musical brilliance. The first 1/2 he performed his popular tunes (new and old) in a stripped down acoustic styling (think MTV Unplugged). Many of the uptempo numbers were retooled as ballads crossing several genres and the air was crackling with a feeling of spiritual release and oneness. Tears came to my eyes several times. I won’t lie! For the second half many of the tunes were re-performed in all their uptempo Carnival frenzy. It was like 2 albums/concerts in one!

Machel Montano

Jamaican dancehall artist Mr. Vegas even made a surprise cameo!

It is amazing how every year Machel tops himself musically as both a singer, songwriter and performer, and he is still so young!

SOUNDS:

Today is Carnival Tuesday and there is no doubt that this year Machel will once again be crowned Road March King (he won it last year as well). This time around two of his tunes are competing for the top place … all other contenders are distant thirds. Here is the video for one of them, in it you can see the Moko Jumbies that I had written about in the previous installment of this series :)

Jumbie (Official Video)

outta body! back to yuhself now!

TASTES:

As I’ve previously mentioned where there’s a fete or nightclub street food is not far away. Friday night was no exception. Outside of the nightclub I spotted a corn soup vendor.

Trinidad Corn Soup Vendor

There were also two food stands.

One well lit one attracted many patrons

Trinidad Street Vendor

The other’s dubious choice of neon green lighting made it stand out from the crowd, but not in a good way. Does anyone really think yummy and hearty when they see a neon green glow?

Trinidad Street Food Vendor

Guess who we ate from?

Trinidad Street Burger

The sign reads “Bake & Shark (more on that tomorrow!), Burgers (Beef/Chicken), Fries, Soft Drinks, Hops & Cheese)” and at the bottom “Real Trini Style”. Now that’s more like it! We both ordered beef burgers. They come standard on a bed of coleslaw with ketchup. Dont’ be fooled by the plain appearance, my friend and I both agreed that was one of the best burgers we’d ever hard. The patty was redolent with garlic and herbs to a degree that I had never had. And straight off the grill, so so good! It was the perfect end to an awesome evening :)



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19 Responses to “Trinidad and Tobago Carnival: Part 8 - Machel Montano”

  1. Marsha on February 20th, 2007 1:51 pm | link

    Girl where you is in dem pics…anyway Toro Toro, Come dig it, Big truck, Big Fat fish…Machel have it!

  2. Sarina on February 20th, 2007 2:07 pm | link

    i don’t put myself in pics.. i’m there to see others.

  3. Sarina on February 20th, 2007 2:07 pm | link

    i took tons more pics… gonna post them elsewhere :)

  4. Lynn on February 20th, 2007 3:36 pm | link

    I wish I was there :((

  5. Sarina on February 20th, 2007 4:40 pm | link

    wish you were too… :(

  6. Marsha on February 20th, 2007 4:56 pm | link

    But gyul we want to see you waylayin’ yuhself fuh de carnival too!
    Big up :)
    As yuh n see de accent comin out fuh de carnival season kyah kyah :)

  7. Sarina on February 20th, 2007 9:28 pm | link

    heheheeh my waylayin is strictly NC-17 baybee :D the internetz nah ready :D

  8. Trig on February 22nd, 2007 9:46 am | link

    You have been very busy, haven’t you! Great vids and pics.

    Btw, you may be interested to know that a Google search on “TriniGourmet” results in the suggestion “TransGourmet”. Cross-dressing to cook, now, are you?

  9. Sarina on February 22nd, 2007 10:10 am | link

    TransGourmet :D damn! another niche i could have gone into :D I’m even wearing pants!! :lol:

  10. Jessica on February 23rd, 2007 8:32 am | link

    Wow!! What an extravaganza!! The mood perfectly captured thru ur lenses!!Great job!!

  11. Lilandra on February 25th, 2007 2:08 am | link

    what’s blog reactions?

    where’s the bake and shark?

    did you miss me?

  12. Sarina on February 25th, 2007 6:50 am | link

    blog reactions is trackbacks :D my bake and shark is still to be posted :( i have pneumonia :cry:

    i totally missed ya!!

  13. Chennette on February 25th, 2007 9:14 pm | link

    I was just coming on (in Guyana briefly with INTERNET at home) to ask if Carnival wiped you out of existence but sorry to hear about the pneumonia. Lots of good soup and porridge I hope :-)

  14. Sarina on February 25th, 2007 10:29 pm | link

    i’m living on porridge…

  15. squeezle on February 26th, 2007 6:31 pm | link

    I was at Machel’s show that night and he had me covered in goosebumps and dripping with sweat all at the same time!!! What a tremendous performer. I can’t wait to see him next month in NYC!

  16. Sarina on February 27th, 2007 3:57 am | link

    oh gorm, madison square garden? ah jealous!!!
    it was a wonderful performance tho, really uplifting :)

  17. Lilandra on February 28th, 2007 3:00 am | link

    you have pneumonia??? how you get that???

    i am just depressed without a camera

  18. squeezle on March 3rd, 2007 6:36 pm | link

    So sorry to hear about your illness. Hope you feel better soon!

  19. CarnivalDiva on September 14th, 2007 5:32 pm | link

    ooh lawd is it time for me to leave for 2K8 yet? jeezeee

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