New York - Utopia Pan Soul: the Next
Generation again hosted another classy affair that
provided participants an intimate, special and
unique steelpan music experience. Moreover, Utopia
Pan Soul continues to highlight the understanding and
reality that there are much greater things and
opportunities available for steelpan performing
organizations, beyond the warrior throngs of panorama
competitions. Don’t get us wrong - we love panorama,
but there is life outside of panorama.
A steady, continuous stream
of tasty cuisine connoisseurs, and lovers and
critics of great steelpan music visited the
East Flatbush, Brooklyn enclave where Utopia Pan Soul set up camp for
their famous annual BBQ. This annual Summer event
has become a main stay among New York steelpan music-related events. It is just
simply a matter of time
before the New York tourist board lists this highly
recommended event as a ‘must visit’ if you are in the New York
city area.
This Utopia Pan Soul occurrence was
more than just a mid-summer hang-out. It was
foremost a live working exercise in how professionalism,
co-operation and vision can lead to a successful
operation. The multifaceted event encompassed
entrepreneurship, public relations, promotion,
performance, fund raising, networking, and recording and
video production among other characteristics. Indeed, Utopia had
the foresight to promote the event as a recording
session for
their upcoming CD and DVD, a fabulous musical
freebie for those who came by for the fine barbeque
fare.
Anchored by notable steelpan veterans,
Marlon “Goose” Guerra, Curt Rogers, Sheldon Elcock and Ian
Gomez - Utopia Pan Soul has quietly
become one of the most intriguing and musically gifted
music organizations in the country. Surrounded with
rising young
stars like Iman Pascall, Jelani Fernandez, Omari
Contaste, Marlon Constantine, Yolande Richardson and
Denishia Mitchell - Utopia put on an exceptional open-air show for the audience.
The musicianship of the Utopia artists was impeccable.
They caressed, stroked and coaxed fabulous tones and colors
from their instruments. It is not a mistake that
all the Utopia musicians have a deep understanding of
the subtleties of music, and approach their instruments
with incredible sensitivity and a feathery touch.
Iman Pascall (steelpan standout) added
to her already formidable music résumé by
anchoring Utopia Pan Soul’s formidable rhythm section
on drums. Shafeeq Muhammad, Kerry Maynard and Roger
rounded out the section with special guest Isabel Walker. One of the
highlights of the evening was an original composition
written by Iman Pascall called ‘Inspiration,’
for which she temporarily exchanged the drumsticks for
her pan sticks. The multitalented Jelani also showed
his arranging capacity with ‘Firey’ and
‘Whole Day.’
Utopia has successfully identified
and honed that delicate blend and balance in investing
in their future as a band, while simultaneously
developing the talent of
the youth. The prudence in providing a professional and
nurturing environment for the growth of their youthful talents has paid off big dividends. Make no mistake
- Utopia possesses some of the world’s finest young music
talent.
The audience was serenaded with Sheldon Elcock’s arrangements
that encompassed classics like
George Gershwin’s ‘Summertime’ and
recent steelband hits such as Len “Boogsie”
Sharpe’s ‘Vengeance,’ which clearly struck a special
chord with those present. ‘Last Hoorah,’
one of Elcock’s
originals, will surely be a favorite when their CD is
released.
The
ever-changing (as people came and went between sets) but
small setting was the stage for an
intimate connection and closeness not
always experienced among performing steelband artists.
Indeed it was like being at the world-famous Blue Note and
reveling in the discovery of the next great
act. The added presence of the Basement Recordings
crew capturing Utopia’s performance brought a rare flavor
and seriousness to the setting and performances. While the
music lovers enjoyed both fine musical and culinary
fare, some made sure that they took away ‘dessert’ when
they selected from the variety of, and purchased,
Utopia Pan Soul T-Shirts that were on sale for fans.
All the Utopia Pan Soul personnel
could be seen actively wearing many different hats
throughout the day into evening - which included anything from cook
to bottle washer - indeed, undertaking whatever was needed
to make the event a success. Utopia continues to
display a keen sense for thinking ‘outside the box’ for
progressive solutions to achieving their
goals. Kudos to Utopia Pan Soul: the Next
Generation for creating an attractive,
professional, conscionable and acceptable development
package that facilitates progress, creativity and growth
for performing arts steelband organizations to study and
emulate.
click for more info on
Utopia Pan Soul
Contact
Utopia Pan Soul: the Next Generation - Sheldon Elcock: 1
(917) 862-6974 | email:
panserious@yahoo.com
