By qualifying for the finals of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Trinidad and Tobago has entered the record books as being the smallest nation ever to have attained this prestigious status. As a commemorative tribute to the now famous Soca Warriors football team, the Neal and Massy Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra has produced a DVD of their 2006 rendition of a composition bearing the same name, arranged by Leon “Smooth” Edwards. The original calypso was written by Winston Scarborough (deFosto). The song earned the band second place in the National Panorama Competition. At that event, Trinidad All Stars was unanimously voted People’s Choice Winner in a parallel competition sponsored by Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT).

NCC Television filmed the performance at Hell Yard on April 12th 2006 and Sanch Electronix simultaneously recorded the audio. The music is performed at a slow, infectious tempo, similar to the now legendary Woman on the Bass, a far cry from the driving rhythms of Panorama. Cutaway footage has been included to reflect the flora, fauna and culture of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as fleeting glimpses of the history of Trinidad All Stars. Clips of the Soca Warriors’ qualifying campaign help to enrich the presentation. Kenneth Scott designed the artwork for the cover based on the theme Passport to Germany created by Simeon L. Sandiford, Managing Director of Sanch Electronix Limited.

Trinidad All Stars would like to thank their sponsors, Neal and Massy Holdings, The Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, Tobago House of Assembly, Guardian Life of The Caribbean, The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation, National Carnival Bandleaders Association, TSTT and The Tourism Development Company for their invaluable contribution to the realisation of this project. Ring tones of audio clips of the music will be available from http://www.bmobile.co.tt/ so that Trinis at home and abroad can savour the nostalgic moments.

The final product entitled Soca Warriors – Passport to Germany will be available in universal DVD format prior to the opening ceremony of the World Cup. It will be marketed in New York when Trinidad All Stars visits the Big Apple in June and August for a number of command performances. Other distribution channels will include eCaroh Inc. (www.panontheweb.com) and Sanch UK (www.sanchuk.co.uk).

The suggested retail price of the DVD for the local market is TT$60.00 plus VAT. For further information please contact executive producers Beresford Hunte at 681.2476, Simeon L. Sandiford at 663.1384 or visit www.trinidadallstars.org, www.sanch.com.

Friday, 19 May 2006.

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