News

Sanch Stirs it up Again

Special Brew is a fitting title for the latest CD from Sanch.

Named after the Ray Holman composition on the CD, it features six steelbands: Harmonites, PCS Nitrogen Starlift, Birdsong, The Neal and Massy Trinidad All Stars and the 2001 Panorama champs Exodus.

The arrangers are Pelham Goddard, Clive Bradley, Smooth Edwards, Anise Hadeed, Ray Holman and Rudi Smith.

Here are old favourites, like David Rudder's "Panama", arranged by Bradley, which was a personal favourite of Sanch Director, Simeon Sandiford.

The CD is a follow up to last year's "Pan Sweet Pan", a compilation of Panorama tunes played at a more relaxed pace.

"The idea was that people would enjoy the music at a slower tempo," says Sandiford. "It went well and we decided that we'd do one every year and release songs from our vault as we have the tracks already laid down. A Special Brew is version two"

According to Sandiford, the key factor is knowing not all pan music can sound good when played at a slower tempo. Knowing the songs that can be played slowly shows your arranging talents.

"We're trying right now in conjunction with the University of the West Indies Steelpan Development Centre and the Pan Development Fund to do something about steelbands going back on the road for Carnival.

"We hope to build a 'Panwagon' on which we could put a small steelband on the road, complete with electronic amplification. Maybe we could compete with Machal and the rest of the bands out there," he said.

By Halcian Pierre
Trinidad Express, Friday 11 May, Page 39