Pan Rebels Steel Orchestra -
A New York Original



Pan Rebels stage side at a Christmas concert, 2001 - co-founder Gary Rogers is on trumpet
Pan Rebels’ stage side orchestra at a Christmas concert, 2001 - co-founder Gary Rogers is on trumpet

Brooklyn, New York, USA -  In the late 80s a group of young, innovative, progressive, talented and rebellious steelpan musicians known as Pan Rebels left their mark on New York pan as no other has. In many respects Pan Rebels’ birth signaled the dawning of the new and current age in the New York pan music continuum. Pan In New York was going to become primarily a youth movement. New ideas, interest and people would become critical components of the New York pan scene. And Pan Rebels was always at the forefront - trying new things although they are not always the ones who received the credit when it became popular. It is not surprising that Pan Rebels started the now-famous New York J’Ouvert celebrations.

New York Pan

Simultaneously, a young group of New York electrical and broadcasting engineers known as Basement Recordings was also experimenting and working closely with Yamaha Corporation of America - who recognized their brilliance immediately - to fine tune its digital recording technology. Yamaha provided Basement Recordings with one of its then-unreleased 24-bit digital recorders to test and make recommendations. The unit was then known as the DMR8, and would become the cornerstone on which all future Yamaha digital recordings technology would be based. As fate or luck would have it, many of the engineers at Basement Recordings were also pan musicians.  Even before the introduction of the DMR8, Basement Recordings was light years ahead of any other group or production team in terms of producing quality steelband recordings.  Since the mid-80s Basement had already developed a technique they labeled as the ‘box and one’ specifically designed for the steel orchestra. It received rave reviews and write ups in many of the broadcasting and professional audio journals. Click to see (Recording Techniques for the Steel Orchestra).

   Audio:  Pan Rebels - the 100-plus steel orchestra as captured by Basement Recordings ‘live’ outside their yard - 1999

Now armed with this digital recording goliath (DMR8) - that was in many ways way ahead of its time - Basement now had the tools to capture the full dynamic range of the steel orchestra without compromise. Moreover they were committed to producing outstanding recordings that could stand next to any great music productions regardless of genre - and showcase the greatness of the ‘Boogsies’ and ‘Bradleys,’ with any of their contemporaries.

Pan Rebels Steel Orchestra Recording layout
Image:  Basement Recordings - All Rights Reserved

In Pan Rebels, Basement Recordings found kindred sprits - young musicians who were not tied to conventionality; furthermore, they were not afraid of the presence of technology. Add the great Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, the ultimate unconventional arranger and what you got was magic.  Basement Recordings always looked forward to recording Pan Rebels Steel Orchestra.  They were young people; they understood the power and importance of recording and immortalizing their music works/material.  As a matter of fact the band’s management viewed Basement’s recording them as a critical part of their Panorama season.  World-renowned arranger Len “Boogsie” Sharpe was perfect as he supported, encouraged and understood what Basement and Pan Rebels were undertaking. Interestingly enough Basement’s and Len “Boogsie” Sharpe’s paths would cross many times in other professional arenas in the future - of particular note would be their coming together with legendary master drummer Max Roach on future recording projects.

One of the key members of Pan Rebels in their heyday - the late “Sarge”
 One of the key members of Pan Rebels in their heyday - the late “Sarge”

The Pan Rebels-Basement Recordings collaborations produced many recording gems that featured prominent arrangers like Garvin Blake and Pelham Goddard in addition to Len “Boogsie” Sharpe.  Even though the orchestra has been inactive since 2002—with their musical works and contributions to the New York Steelband music scene, while spearheaded by the dynamic trio of Anthony “Pra” Trebuse, Gary Rogers and Michelle Williams—Pan Rebels Steel Orchestra remains a New York steelband fixture.

Leave a comment in the WST forum


Comment by rocco marsicans steel band on July 13, 2010 at 11:02pm
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I remember playing this tune on Parkside Ave in Brooklyn.....sweet sweet pan as only Boogsie can.....those were the days of Parkside with Joe and Metro Steel Band Yamoja and Eddie Quarless. and of course Pan Rebels...what memories!!!! Some of you might remember those days!!!!!!!!!
Comment by arlene reid on July 13, 2010 at 8:14pm
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Sounding sweeeett !!!!!!!!!
Comment by WILLIAM on February 9, 2010 at 11:25am
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Without using any EQ I found this recording too lopsided. It would sound better
by reducing the low end and fattening the middle.
Comment by David Hinds on February 8, 2010 at 3:48pm
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I was in the museum for the finals when they played .It sounded swweeetttttt then and swweeter
today.Hadeed with Starlift wasn't too bad either...........D .Hinds.
Comment by Brian Snaggs on January 26, 2010 at 4:25pm
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This is the tempo that I enjoy most, go Boogsie !
Comment by Pan on January 26, 2010 at 3:13pm
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sofaking awesome!!!!! honestly one of my favorite recordings and arrangments...i luv the way the front line music sits inside of the chords which is then surronded rumblin Bass lines...
Comment by Herman Samuels on January 26, 2010 at 12:43pm
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I have not heard this version before. I enjoyed it thoroughly.It is not Despers with Bradley,but. Herm
Comment by Clayton Belle on January 26, 2010 at 12:22pm
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Boogsie is exellent as usual,but I will have to be bias ---- Mr. Bradley is " In My House "
Comment by tessa nesty on January 26, 2010 at 10:58am
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there is nothing in this world to beat the sweet music of pan no way if you sick it makes u betterwhen u down it picks u up one of the greatest invention by us trinis thanks for that piece of music
Comment by ed cee on August 29, 2009 at 9:05pm
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Good music. Boogsie is his usual excellent self with this homegrown ( Oba Synette) piece of music.

Comment by drummixx on August 14, 2009 at 5:26pm
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Ah rebel is ah rebel.... Pan rebels....good to go...winners in my book....
Comment by Nathifa Mawiyah on August 6, 2009 at 8:22am
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THE SWEETEST MUSIC....NO WONDER MY FRIENDS SAY THAT WHEN I LISTEN TO PAN MUSIC IT'S LIKE I'M IN A TRANCE....
Comment by Anna Talamo on August 5, 2009 at 11:24pm
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Wow! That was a great year! It's wonderful to hear this slow version...brings back memories. Boogsie is the best.
Comment by Alan Field on August 5, 2009 at 11:42am
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Great sound,steel bands are better than ever,great arranging.
Comment by Noel La Pierre on August 5, 2009 at 10:53am
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Good Band, Great Arranger, GOOD MUSIC, Combination missing from New York Panorama.
Comment by Joseph Renaud on August 5, 2009 at 7:00am
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Excellent arrangement. 1999 was a great year for pan music in New York. Boogsie is one of the greatest. This one had a slight touch of another master, Clive Bradley.

Joseph Renaud.
Comment by Pan Woman on August 5, 2009 at 12:56am
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This is required listening by all pan people. Boogsie is the man. This is one of the best recordings of live steelband ever.
Comment by HAYZEL on August 4, 2009 at 6:41pm
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De best tune I ever played for Panorama...Boogsie is the GREATEST ever.. he never fails in bringing out the sweetest music on pan... Boogsie you have been blessed with a great talent.
Comment by Anthony C. Gittens on August 4, 2009 at 4:43pm
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Sweet music I must say, from Boogsie the great....
Comment by Bugs on August 4, 2009 at 4:28pm
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Boogsie displays an uncharacteristic amount of sensitivity in this arrangement. A true giant he is. Awesome recording.

bugs

Comment by When Steel Talks on August 4, 2009 at 2:00pm
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New York is a very “ruff” place for pan, particularly around panorama time. Many very good musicians have gotten their feelings severely and publicly hurt in the New York steelband music panorama competition. Indeed, many are never seen or heard from again in the panorama music context. And was often the case - as in 1999 - elite arrangers were in town bolstered by 100 men/women-plus orchestras. A normally promising and talented musician could easily find themselves between a rock and a hard place. This year in particular (1999) Master arrangers Clive Bradley and Len “Boogsie” Sharpe were in town, at the top of their game, with a take-no-prisoners attitude. The end result was a collection of one of the most outstanding, musically creative and performance-worthy panorama music seasons with a New York attitude. Indeed, panorama music in New York is unique as it has its own distinct blend of style, beauty, grit and flavor.
Don’t take our word for it - get a pair of good headphones and sit back - listen for yourself. We’ve reduced the quality to fit this media format. For the ultimate sonic experience of New York steel orchestras on Friday nights before any panorama - get a copy of the CDs.
As with all Basement Recordings steelband music productions, this performance was captured live outside, in ‘one take.’ Two performances are usually captured (one at slow pace, and one at tempo).
Enjoy...
Comment by kim on February 18, 2009 at 10:51pm
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oh my god how this tune brings back all those sweet memories in de yahd!!!!

 
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