Follow When Steel Talks
WST google search WST Forum WST facebook page WST on Twitter WST Newsletter Global Steelband listings
 
 

Oasis ‘Steels’ Show at CASYM 2013 Band Launch

Another When Steel Talks Concert Review

CASYM Steel Orchestra performs at their 2013 band launch - East Flatbush, Brooklyn
CASYM Steel Orchestra performs at their 2013 band launch - East Flatbush, Brooklyn

In Pictures

Brooklyn, New York, USA -  No one has ever accused CASYM of not knowing how to put on a show. And of course this night, the day of their band launching would be no different. CASYM brought their launch to the East Flatbush community. Slated to perform were New York Pan Stars, Pantonic Steel Orchestra, Oasis Youth Steel Pan Ensemble from New Jersey, CrossFire Steel Orchestra and of course hosts CASYM Steel Orchestra.

In spite of the late start, once the show got rolling everything was smooth sailing.

CASYM Steel Orchestra performs at their 2013 band launch - East Flatbush, Brooklyn
CASYM Steel Orchestra performs at their 2013 band launch - East Flatbush, Brooklyn

CASYM Steel Orchestra opened the event and laid the groundwork for a very entertaining evening. In 2013, CASYM (Caribbean American Sports and Cultural Youth Movement, Inc.) is celebrating their 30th year of existence as a cultural organization. The band’s opening set leaned on its long history and tradition of being a high performance and entertaining act. They did not disappoint in this warm-up set.

New York Pan Stars
New York Pan Stars

Coming off a reportedly scintillating performance just the night before at CrossFire Steel Orchestra’s band launch, the young New York Pan Stars continue to substantiate their musical presence in the New York music scene. Their set included Got to be Real, Gold, a David Rudder mix (Bahia Girl/Hammer), Pan in A Minor, Soca Medley 2013 and Fantastic Friday. New York Pan Stars has matured very quickly, and at this stage of the Summer they are without doubt the most improved orchestra of the year. Their rising musicianship continues to shine through.

Pantonic Steel Orchestra
Pantonic Steel Orchestra

Up next was Pantonic Steel Orchestra who demonstrated their ability to completely vary a set, as they went ‘old school’ on the audience. They dropped a series of past classic Soca and Calypso hits like Fiery, and Trini to the Bone, to name but two. It was indeed an interesting shift of performance gears for the night.

The biggest story of the night was Oasis Youth Steel Pan Ensemble from New Jersey, who came out in full concert mode. They were no joke. Their ten-song repertoire stretched the expectations of a standard band launch performance both in terms of musical sensibilities and performance. Led under the musical directive of Sherwin Thwaites, he brought additional musical colors and a thought process to the arena. Oasis demonstrated their flexibility as they delivered a varied set that was truly international both in spirit and execution. There is an old saying in the music industry among city musicians - that is: “You can’t fake the funk.” Oasis’s performance on classics like Let’s Stay Together was exceptional and authentic. From Destra’s Call My Name to Bob Marley’s Africa Unite, to the Gap Band’s Outstanding – it all came together.

OASIS Youth Steel Pan Ensemble performs at CASYM'S 2013 band launch
OASIS Youth Steel Pan Ensemble performs at CASYM’S 2013 band launch


All the arrangements were done by the Thwaites Brothers who seem to have set no limitations on what the steel orchestra can perform as a unit, and the colors that can be evoked from the family of steelpan instruments, through their brand of harmonization, rhythms and spreads. In addition the Thwaites are not afraid to take chances and sail into uncharted waters, as was demonstrated with their infusion of both digital percussive tracks and pre-recorded vocals (successfully, we might add) into the mix. Few steel orchestras have engaged the listening audience with so comprehensive and wide-ranging a repertoire, all in one go, and moreover, this competently. In any regard make sure you check Oasis out at their next advertised performance, carded for Pantonic’s annual band launch on Sunday August 11.

OASIS Youth Steel Pan Ensemble performs at CASYM'S 2013 band launch
OASIS Youth Steel Pan Ensemble performs at CASYM’S 2013 band launch

Leave your comment in the WST forum
 

New York Pan Stars members
Tenor - Antonio “AJ” John, Sage Harrison, Alexis Isaac, Shireen Seales
Double Tenor - Selena Antoine, Brandon Antoine
Double Second - Sparkle Demming
Double Guitar - Tamika Small, Tahjet Lewis
Triple Cello - Andrea Wilson
Tenor Bass - Brianna McNutt, David Cersier
Six Bass - Kianna Carrington, Missy Rose
Percussion /Arranger - Marc Brooks
Drummer - Noah Smit

New York Pan Stars
New York Pan Stars

Pantonic Steel Orchestra members
N/A

Pantonic Steel Orchestra after their performance
Pantonic Steel Orchestra after their performance

Oasis Youth Steel Pan Ensemble members
Six Bass - Ashley George, Faizah Romano
Cello - Howard George, Jr.
Double Second - Calik Austin, Alyssa Joseph, (Sherwin Thwaites - Arranger)
Double Guitar - Catrice Austin, Shelly George
Tenor Bass -
Joel Elder
Tenor -
Kadeem-Jamaal Bobcombe, Jelani Bobcombe, Mickel Andrews, Gary Hinds, Ernest Mitchell
Arranger/Drummer - Sheldon Thwaites
Percussion - Mervyn Rudder, Olivia Graham, Marlon, Arnie, Cecil Mitchell

OASIS Youth Steel Pan Ensemble at CASYM'S 2013 band launch
Oasis Youth Steel Pan Ensemble

CASYM members
N/A

Members of CASYM after their first performance at their 2013 band launch
Members of CASYM after their first performance at their 2013 band launch

Repertoire

New York Pan Stars

   ~  Got To Be Real - (Cheryl Lynn)
   ~  Gold - (M. Montano, Rikki Jai, K. Asche, D. O’Connor)
   ~  Medley:  Bahia Girl & Hammer - (David Rudder)
   ~  Pan In ‘A’ Minor - (Lord Kitchener)
   ~  Soca Medley 2013
   ~  Fantastic Friday - (Superblue)
______

Pantonic Steel Orchestra

N/A
______

Oasis Youth Steel Pan Ensemble

1st -  Margie - (Lord Kitchener)
2nd -  Fato Consumado - (Djavan)
3rd -  Let’s Stay Together - (Al Green)
4th -  Africa Unite - (Bob Marley)
5th -  Suit And Tie - (Justin Timberlake)
6th -  Soca Baptist - (Blue Boy)
7th -  The Fog - (Machel Montano)
8th -  Call My Name - (Destra Garcia)
9th -  Trick Don’t Kill My Vibe - (Kendrick Lamar)
10th -  Outstanding - (The Gap Band)
______

CASYM Steel Orchestra

N/A

CASYM’s 2013 Band Launch
Album 1 | Album 2