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Pantonic’s Oil & Music at D’Avenue with Panist Kareem Thompson & K.I.T. Caribbean Connection

A When Steel Talks Exclusive

New York, USA - An unseasonably cold March Sunday evening was put on notice that the sounds of steel—and not the chilly weather—would hold court for a couple hours and dictate exactly what would warm the hearts of patrons who happened to be in the right place at the right time. Where and Why?  D’Avenue, a snug little nook set back on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, New York. And for the occasion of “Oil and Music” hosted by New York’s Pantonic Steel Orchestra. In the spotlight was one of Brooklyn’s finest sons in the steelpan art form on pan, Kareem Thompson, in company with his family amalgamation of K.I.T. Caribbean Connection.

Slated to start at 7:00 p.m., the cozy atmosphere and stocked bar were enough to keep guests sated until the strike-up of the band after eight o’clock.  As usual, pan folk were more than pleased for the opportunity to hang out together with the prospect of an undoubtedly fine session in steel coming up a little later on the music menu.

Kareem Thompson on double seconds for “Oil & Music”
Kareem Thompson on double seconds for “Oil & Music”

With Kareem on double seconds, his group is family-based with patriarch Edgar “Spots” Fitzgerald on percussion, and Iba and Toure Fitzgerald on bass and keyboards.  Keith “KJ” Marcelle on drums rounded out the line-up. 

Kareem Thompson and crew took the audience on a music voyage that was not vicarious, but actual and real-time. With Kareem, whether one partakes in his melodic luminosity as a solo performer, or when he arranges for a steel orchestra - there are depths sometimes unwittingly entered into that those who connect with him, may not want to resurface from when the performance concludes.

Kareem K.I.T. Caribbean featuring Kareem Thompson on double seconds at “Oil & Music”
K.I.T. Caribbean Connection featuring Kareem Thompson on double seconds at “Oil & Music”

The five-track first set laid down brought out Swing Easy Riddim, Keep It Tight, Bop N Run, Golden and Differentology to sear the souls of the “up close and personal” lovers of music who were mere feet away from the quintet.  Others got into their own personal groove leaning against the wall, while a few more experienced their own musical mind melds with drinks in hand while seated at the bar.

For those who arrived just in time for the second tier, Can’t Help It, Lift Up Your Head/I Feel Good/Pimpers Paradise Medley Do Do Di and Footprints would serve notice as to just what they missed in the first musical round.

So - if one missed that last Sunday segment in steel, are there others on the calendar?  Indeed - it is part of the ongoing monthly “Oil and Music” venture by Pantonic Steel Orchestra at D’Avenue, and this presentation was the third to date in the series. The first installment in January and February highlighted the talents of Jahlani Roberts and Patrick Davis.  And for April attendees can feast on the musical savvy of Davis as he returns to the spotlight April 20.  Doors open 6:00 p.m. for a 7:00 showtime.

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