Nearly 25 years in the making, soca’s royal family has come to pass.  In its court you will find the likes of supreme entertainers Kernal and Patrice Roberts, Zan, Umi Marcano, Farmer Nappy, and rising stars waiting in the wings.  At its helm?  Machel Montano, the king himself.  Welcome, massive, for you are in the presence of Machel Montano and the HD Family.

That was the mood recently at J&R Music Store in New York, where the HD conglomerate held its double album release celebration.  The city was in its 10^th straight day of rain, with heavier downpours expected later into the evening.  The buildings looked gray and forbidding under the harsh neon lights.  And yet, an overcast sky bore witness to a line of eager fans quickly forming around the aisles and out the door of the NYC retailer. 

A little bit of water wasn’t going to keep these patrons away.  They’d come to expect great things from this bunch.  They’d come to see a show.

Soca hits poured from the speakers, as those in attendance rocked to the baseline, smiling and laughing together. It was whining season in Manhattan. Anyone having ever attended a Caribbean carnival or j’ouvert celebration would recognize the feeling right away.  It was one of pure jubilation and anticipation. Thanks to Rhona Fox Inc., some of the Caribbean’s most prolific and talented song writers, producers and artistes were on hand to revel in the show of support.  And as they made their way from the media area on the 4^th floor to the staging area with cameramen and reporters in tow, the music grew louder and a hush settled on the crowd.  Then came the eruption of cheers.

Machel Montano took the stage and proclaimed himself the Master of Ceremonies for the festivities.  The day was one to celebrate not only the release of his latest album, Heavenly Drum, but also the latest compilation from the Xtatic HD family.  It was all about giving the massive music they could feel, while ushering in the new generation of artistes and performers.  And by the end of the day, we’d find ourselves graced by the presence of Bunji and Bruk Up, as well as a slew of family and friends there to wish the HD conglomerate well.

All members would have their time to shine, but up first was Farmer Nappy to perform his hit Belly Dancer. The ladies began whinin’ before the first words crossed his lips.  The instrumental itself proved enough to work the crowd into a frenzy.  It was a fitting welcome for the sometimes songwriter, sometimes singer responsible for such hits as Footsteps, Big Truck, Go Brave and Chippin’.  “I say j’ouvert; you say morning,” the crowd sang in unison.  And when the music died down, what had turned into a party continued.

Next in line to Hold You Down was Zan, whose latest releases, including Slip Away, are some of the hottest on the road this year. 

However, Umi Marcano was not to be outdone.  Alongside Machel, he set the place on fire with his Block To Block remix, but it wasn’t just the single that caught the attention of the ladies.  Umi Marcano gained a host of additional fans with his wining skills!! And when the crowd thought they couldn’t stand any more of the excitement, they learned that there was more to come.

Capable of transcending continental bounds through his music, Machel Montano showed his versatility once again by addressing the Haitian crowd in creole, at which the Haitians in attendance screamed mightily.

Then Patrice Roberts, the youngest member of the Family, who had been quietly off to the side for most of the performances, stepped onto the stage alongside Machel and the two set the place ablaze with a Tempa Wine.  And when they took it to accapella, the crowd quickly joined in.  Next came her hit single Sway In D’ Mas, and the crowd knew that the HD Family was here to stay. The future of soca was set.

 “This music is a happy music.  It is a winin’ music,” says Machel, describing soca. However, despite the mainstream exposure gained through his diverse collaborations across genre lines with the likes of such artistes as Buju Banton, Beenie Man, Shaggy, and Pitbull, he admits that there is still some ways to go.

“It’s going to take a little more work, a little more struggle, a little more sound, of bringing up our quality,” said the entertainer.

Having began honing his craft at the tender age of 5, he sees this next generation of artistes as key.  “When I started in this business, it was far off mainstream,” said Machel, “ It was far from being accepted; it wasn’t even accepted by the people of the Caribbean, by the people of Trinidad and Tobago.”  From here, he thinks it’s going to get much better.

If the dual releases are any indication, he’s right.  Both CDs are laced with contributions from talented artists, producers and writers.  It’s enough to make you excited for the future of Caribbean music.

Both, Machel Montano & The HD Family and Heavenly Drum are now available in stores. And if you want to keep tabs on the artistes, visit them online at www.machelmontanohd.com or www.xtatik.com/caribbeanplanet/.

Check Out Photos From This Event

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