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Which Caribbean bands would you re-unite? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The music industry is abuzz with long disbanded groups reforming - some for one-off events - which more often than not evolve into full tours. Judging from BBC Caribbean's ongoing forum on 're-uniting old bands' many people are in favour of of a Caribbean version of this trend. One of the bands very much in demand to recapture their Caribbean and international prominence is Ed Watson and the Brass Circle of Trinidad and Tobago. They had hits like Hot Soca, Boogie Woman, Just a Little Bit and accompanied on numerous others. The band which had hits from the late 60s and into the 70s and 80s, faded out somewhat in the 90s but are still playing, although not on the same scale as they did before. The man behind the band is Ed Watson and he's been telling BBC Caribbean's Mike Jarvis the story of the creation of one of the biggest and most enduring soca hits to ever come out of the region: Sugar Bum Bum by Lord Kitchener, with music arranged by Ed Watson and the Brass Circle. Your suggestions I would like to see Les Difficiles De Petion-Ville of Haiti. I grew up with that band and they were very good. I would like to see the reuniting of the Gaylords the Merrymen I am hoping that Boo and the Tru Tones and Survival would make a comeback soon. They were indeed two of the best bands from St. Lucia. Lennie N. Fleary of Toronto, Canada would like to see the Tropical Islanders of Barbados perform together again. Five Fingers: what wonderful combo music. Boo and the Tru Tones on stage with Bill-o-Men, Grammacks, Exile 1 and Midnight Groovers. Maybe I should just go to Dominica again this year for WCM. My favourites would be Joseph Niles and the Consolers(of Barbados) The Gaylords Power Union of from Dominica, Draytons 2 and Merrymen (also Barbados) Tradewinds and the Milestones from Dominica. Seventeen Plus, Imagination Brass, BUT MOST ALL THE ORGINAL BURNING FLAMES. Bring back Malavoi, Les Aiglons and Les Freres Dejean. Thanks! The group that I would really like to hear live again if ever it was possible would be "The Tropical Islanders" out of Barbados. The Caribbean and many West Indies people may not remember them, but I think that they were a Barbados super band. Rockafellas, Casanovas (even without Monty Williams)from T&T, Fantastics and BRC from Barbados. I would love to see Seventeen Plus Band from the USVI I would like to see Ed Watson (Trinidad and Tobago) GI Brass (St Kitts) and Laviscount Brass (Antigua). I agree that Ed Watson and the Brass Circle was one of the best. However my favourites were Latinnaires(St Vincent) and Swinging Stars (Dominica). Sure we would to hear the bands of our youth all over again...regardless of whether the band members have moved on! I would love to see Ellie Matt & the GIs Brass, Grand Ash 2, Heatwaves from St Kitts as well as Imaginations of St Thomas, Virgin Islands. Yes,I would like to see groups like Ed Watson’s Band re-energized. They have done Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean audiences around the world proud and happy. Best regards Alpha W. King, X-A-DUS out of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. That was a GREAT BAND...DISTINCT and VINTAGE Vincy SOUND. And I would like to see the band TOUCH out of St. Vincent and the Grenadines as well. O yeah, (Ed Watson ) Brass Circle of Trinidad Bring back the cadence bands of the 70s including Les Anglais. Kalyan, oe of the Best Trinidad bnds of the 1970s & 80s. GI Brass(De Brass Int.) i.e. Ellie Matt & the GIs Brass without Ellie Matt Boo and the Tru Tones, Merry Makers, Quavers - all from St. Lucia. And of course, Draytons Two of Barbados. Why not a "NostalgiaFest" taking in Swinging Stars, Boo and the Trutones, Exile One, the Merrymen, Byron Lee, Dutchy Brothers, Tradewinds and Grammacks? There are still enough of us Oldie Goldies around to make it a well- attended event! I know lots of people will not remember Casimir Brothers from Dominica and the Dutchy brothers from Trinidad. They have given us some great sound and music. I want more. Luv Sounds, Weevils, Teenage Thrillers and 4 Fantasies - great Grenadian bands. I would like to see the band Touch from St. Vincent and the Grenadines perform again! It would be cool to see Grammacks from Dominica perform somewhere out there. Boo and the Tru-Tones of St Lucia, Belles Combo of Dominica and Ed Watson and the Brass Circle of Trinidad and Tobago. I would love to see Moss International of Grenada reunite. I personally think that they are the ones responsible for propelling calypso music to a higher level in Grenada. I would like to see The Gaylords(of Dominica. Ed) re-unite at least for a tour Belles Combo from Dominica: I would like them to make a comeback even is a one off show, that would be nice. Laviscount Brass of Antigua not only gave us good music but made us feel we were playing with them. BRC(Blue Rhythm Combo of Barbados. Ed), The Merriboys (Barbados. Ed). What ever became of Lloyd Wilson? (Awesome on a Hammond!!!) An Exile One reunion would be a real treat. They were one of the best from Dominica. Moss International (they are no longer functioning). Harmonies Brass -Grenada - is still going strong. BOO & THE TRU-TONES OF ST LUCIA EXILE ONE OF DOMINICA As a Lucian I should be backing the Tru-Tones: Boo is still around doing his "Jazzy" stuff, but for real 70's nostalgia it's got to be The Draytons Two! My favourites were Boo and the Tru-Tones, Exile One and the Draytons Two! ELLIE MATT and the GI'S Brass....best band of the 60's,70's and early 80's...St Kitts has produced the best musicians and bands ever. Ellie Matt and the GI's Brass of St Kitts......By far the best Mastamind of St.Vincent Ed Watson and the Brass circle of Trinidad, Heet waves of St.Kitts, Gemmini Brass of Trinidad. I would like to see Grand Ash 2 of St.Kitts It would be great if they have a music festival with all those old bands. Dave Martin and the Tradewinds definitely There are a number of bands I would like to see reunite. Some of these are The Escorts, Super eight, Blue Rhythm Combo all from Barbados to name a few. Roots, Stems and Branches - R.S.B - from Dominica The Vibrations of Virgin Gorda BVI 17+ of the USVI and Spice and Company of Barbados. There are too many of us who have lost our "Caribbean identity".We need to go back to our roots. Five Fingers Combo OF Trinidad and Tobago Venard Phillips I’d like to see Ellie Matt and the G.I.S brass together again. I would like to see the Quavers Orchestra, St. Lucia Are the following musical groups/bands still together? Rhythm Riders of Birchgrove, St. Andrews Grenada & Black Experience of St. George's I would like to The Outfit of Barbados and Exuma from the Bahamas. Yoruba Singers from Guyana, there were the best. Along with Toots they were the highlight of Carifesta 72. I would like to see the band "Tropical Islanders" of Barbados reunite. Boo & The Tru Tones. One of the best during their time. Bankie Bankx and Roots and Herbs of Anguilla Please give me some Boo and the Tru Tones along with the Swinging Stars as a St.Lucian I enjoy them both. Most definitely, Boo and the TruTones Bands from Jamaica: Tomorrow's Children, Sid and The Slickers and The Tenors Ed Watson and the Brass Circle of Trinidad. Laviscount Brass of Antigua. A fantastic band with a killer brass section. Exuma from the Bahamas | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Ed Watson interview
Which Caribbean bands would you like to see back together again?