Joan Rampersad Friday, February 10 2006

The Neal and Massy Trinidad All Stars topped the preliminary round of competition in the Large Bands Category of the National Panorama Steelband Competition, after five days of judging at various panyards throughout Trinidad and Tobago. Playing De Fosto’s “Soca Warriors” and arranged by Leon “Smooth” Edwards, the band earned 261 points, three clear points of second place winners bp Renegades and Phase II Pan Groove. De Fosto was also responsible for Renegades’ selection “Judgment Day” arranged by Dr Jit Samaroo while Phase II went for “This One’s For U Bradley,” composed and arranged by Len “Boogsie” Sharpe.

The Northern Region also captured the 4th and 5th spots of the  competition as Witco Desperadoes, with an Eddie Quarless arrangement of De Fosto’s “Tribute To Bradley” notched 257.5 points and Starlift earned 254 points with “If We Really Want,” composed and arranged by Ray Holman. South Trinidad captured got the following two places via TCL Skiffle Bunch, playing Destra’s “Colours Again,” arranged by Liam Teague, and NLCB Fonclaire playing a Darren Sheppard arrangement of Denyse Plummer’s “Good Times.” Those bands received 251 and 249 points respectively. BWIA Invaders followed in the standings with 248 points after playing “This One’s For U Bradley,” arranged by Arddin Herbert. They shared that position with Redemption Sound Setters of Tobago and Solo Pan Knights playing Destra’s “Max It Up” arranged by Robbie Greenidge.

The next three positions going into the semi-final round of competition went to Tropical Angel Harps, Katzenjammers and Sagicor Exodus. They all received 242 points, while Hatters claimed the final spot with 239 points. In the Medium Bands category, defending champions Clico Sforzata maintained its lead with 260 points after playing Baron’s “This Melody Sweet,” arranged by Yohan Popwell. Right on its heels is HCL Valley Harps, playing a Michelle Huggins-Watts arrangement of “This One’s For U Bradley.” They amassed 259 points, one point ahead of Courts Sound Specialists of Laventille, that played “Colours Again” arranged by Ken “Professor” Philmore. Excellent Stores Silver Stars and Arima Angel Harps tied with 248 points, followed by another tie between Parry’s Pan School and Harmonites with 247 points.

Petrotrin Deltones topped the Small Bands Category playing a Carlton Alexander’s arrangement of “Roll It” by Machel Montano and Allison Hinds. They got 249 points followed by Pan Elders with 241.5 points. They played Calypso Rose’s “Tempo” (remix) arranged by Richard Gittens. Crescendo Musical, with 239.5 points, captured third spot with its playing of “This One’s For U Bradley,” arranged by Curtis Edwards. Below is a full list of the 14 qualifiers in each category of the National Panorama Semi-finals, carded for Sunday at the Queen’s Park Savannah from 9 am. Pan Trinbago’s Education Officer, Richard Forteau, said the early start was to facilitate the small bands whose sponsors complained that they were not getting any mileage in the former arrangement. However, only one band of the 15 semi-finalists is sponsored.