Harmony Steel Orchestra makes recordings series debut

Every year at the end of the New York Steelband Summer season, steelpan music fans, enthusiasts and music educators can look forward to stellar quality recordings of the steel orchestras as they feverishly prepared for the annual New York steelband music panorama competition.  This year is no exception, as the 2007 offering is just as awesome as the preceding editions of this celebrated annual music series.  These recordings are both for the uninitiated in the steelband music experience, and the veteran critical steelband music connoisseurs, as they afford the listener unparalleled fidelity and realism, and capture the sprit and ambience of the steel orchestra in the urban pan yard.  Moreover, you get to experience the music the way the music arrangers and players perform it, hear it themselves, and - how they want the audience to experience it.

Harmony during recording of Pan in New York 2007

This year, in addition to such stalwart performances and recordings by staples such as current champion Sonatas and past champion Pantonic - Harmony Steel Orchestra makes their Panyard Recordings debut with their version of "Nah Going Home".  You won't be disappointed. Under the musical direction of veteran arranger Ken "Professor" Philmore, Harmony performs with a flare and poise that are way beyond their years.  They are the surprise of this year's offering.  Filling out the 2007 lineup are Crossfire, Sesame Flyers and D'Radoes, who all bring superb performances to the Pan in New York CD.  Each orchestra takes the listener on close to a ten-minute story-filled musical adventure based on the theme of their selections: Band From Space, Pan Lamentation, Sharing Licks and Nah Going Home.

The phenomenal realism and quality of these recordings place the listeners within the confines of  the panyards.  Every panyard has a unique sonic attribute,  ambience and character that are partially determined by its architectural surroundings.  All this and much more are present in the recordings.  You will be in sync with the energetic crowds present in the panyards at the time of the recordings, and have a clear understanding of why the music and art form is so special.