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Define HD (High Definition) - Machel Montano's Concert, Alternative Carnival Concept 5, Saturday 10th February 2007. This 'Soca Hero', who they claimed to be 'Too Young to Soca' back in 1986, has taken Soca music to a higher level - ent Elephant Man. No sorry, that's Brass Festival. Mr. Montano, wanted very much for his show have a North Stand, Grand Stand effect. So, two days before the concert he "Rezarreked" Brass Festival from the National Stadium, and placed AC5 - that's HD Soca power for you folks!

Well, an event as huge as this, well advertised, and Machel being the main performer, one would expect a backlog of traffic --- Nope there was smooth sailing along Wrightson Road to the venue - probably because most partygoers stopped and parked alongside Wrightson Road. TJJ arrived at around ten, and a lot of 'carnivalites' were still outside or now arriving. The general admission ticket holders made their way with much ease through to three single gates, whilst we made our way to the media/artiste entrance backstage. There was a hustle and bustle backstage as everyone tried to get everything organized; even "Tan Tan", "Saga Boy" and the Son of "Saga Boy" were in a corner waiting patiently for their performance later on.

We toured the venue and realized that Machel had accomplished what he set out to do. To the right of the stage, partitioned off, stood the VIP section - posh fuh so. Food stalls under white tents (bake and shark, grillers); drinks (premium scotch, rum, beer, vodka) and you could've sat down in the 'Stands' to the back. On the left of the VIP section was the general section. Bars were provided under tents of different colours (white, green, blue). In the case of the general admission, if you knew you didn't want to move to the left or right, jump up or down, the seats to the back were just right for you. The stage, which was decorated by the one and only Peter Minshall, stood to the front.

Okay, party time, and who better to open the night, none other than the sexy bicycle winer Denise Belfon. That night she collaborated with Orange Sky as S.O.S, Saucy Orange Sky who 'Rocked' the partygoers. The crowd 'teaser pleaser' performed to her sauciest ability, giving her fans just what they deserved. KES the Band was another one on the list of performances and boy did Nadia Batson tear up the fete with her hit ("My Land") for this year, and a touch of tunes from yesteryear.

King David Michael Rudder and Carl Jacobs blessed the crowd with their sweet 'Soca Music'. The 'fire finger man', Prophet Benjamin and Maximus Dan were also a part of the session before the well awaited Machel came on around 2 a.m. Well, by this time you couldn't move in general admission because Machel came on stage and everyone wanted to get closer. Rags, flags, jerseys, cups, hands, feet, everything was in the air when Mr. Montano came on stage. He performed songs like "Miss Good Reputation", of which he gave an acoustic version and followed by other hit songs like "Higher Than High", "One More Time", "We Not Giving Up", "Real Unity", "Big Truck" (where he actual stood on top of a stage built big truck), "Scandalous", "Hold You Tonight" and "Like Bollywood" just to name a few. Then came the chant "Jumbie, Jumbie them" by the crowd who could not contain their eagerness to see what the HD Priest had up his sleeve; with Moko Jumbies, "Tan Tan", "Saga Boy" and "Son of Saga Boy" "Rezzareked" during his performance, the experience was electrifying. Other performers included Patrice Roberts, Benjai, Zan, Mr. Vegas (Jamaica), Vybz Kartel (Jamaica), Nadia Madoo, Minmi (Japan), Blazer Dan and others.

The 30,000 patrons in general and VIP admission got what the rightly deserved that night..... hmm??? Let's see: More than 5000 VIP tickets were sold so that would mean there would be a lot of 'mouths' to feed, but how in God's name would one expect patrons, during Machel's performance, to get something to eat??? Obviously they would go after. The disappointing result: after patrons jumped up, wined, waved, screamed, laughed, sang, its obvious hunger and thirst would overcome them and knowing Trini's they not moving till the performance, especially Machel's, finished; because Machel finished performing, food stop sharing, they closed off the stalls. Come on man that was the ideal time to eat and drink! Then there were the 'Mini-mies'; they couldn't see the act on stage because the way the stage was constructed, it was very difficult, so most definitely some 'big screens' would've been welcomed. In the general admission there were complaints about fights, muggings and pick pocketing. Okay, well securities are human as well, they would feel the need to 'eat ah food' so maybe, just maybe, at the time of the muggings they were eating a bake and shark, just maybe. Hmmm???

Mr. Machel Montano we definitely can't complain because from since 1986 you were a crowd pleaser and you have more than lived up to that name. You were tremendous!! Thank you very much for allowing TJJ to be apart of this historical event because this was the biggest Soca Concert Trinidad and Tobago ever had, TJJ say so! Till 2k8, Jumbie Jumbie dem.

Coco Juice

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