New York -  Composer Mark Loquan has a change in rhythm and pace after the hectic 2006 panorama season in Trinidad and Tobago.  With his composition 'Colours Again' vocalized by soca star Destra Garcia a popular choice among steel orchestras for panorama, and another - 'Good Times'  - sung by Denyse Plummer also finding favor with other bands, one might be tempted to think there were enough accolades to go around for the time being - at least until next year.

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But March 29 is another hallmark in Loquan's calendar.  It signals the official launch of the Ray Holman music project called Changing Time.  A production of the company which he heads -- Yara Trinidad Limited - Loquan told When Steel Talks that this type of endeavor reflects his actual perspective when he writes music - beyond panorama.  The goal is that arrangements be done, music scored and musically notated for utilization by others, such as educational institutions - schools and universities.

This is the second such project, according to Loquan.  The first was completed at the end of 2003, and featured the music of Dr. Jit Samaroo.  Like it's predecessor, Changing Time is a two-CD compilation featuring six audio recordings performed by the UWI (University of the West Indies) Ensemble on one of the CDs.  The second disc provides interactive access to musical scores in various formats.  The flexible interface allows users multiple functions, including isolating voices of pan instruments on different tracks, varying the speed of the pieces, and even modifying them.  Users, especially educational institutions with steelband ensembles and orchestras can play exact arrangements, spreads of chords, etc. as intended by the arrangers - in the case of the Yara productions - such as Dr. Jit Samaroo and Ray Holman.

Mark Loquan - photo by Bertrand De Peeza for Yara Trinidad Ltd.,

Loquan is a keen advocate of music literacy, and views the musical projects as vehicles in that direction, and also as steps in preserving works and local arrangements of musical icons in Trinidad and Tobago.  Even with the target audience for the product being educational institutions, it is also a stand-alone steelband addition to music lovers' collections.

When Steel Talks  also chatted with Mark Loquan about his success in the 2006 panorama competition with his compositions 'Colours Again' and 'Good Times.'  "What I thought I would try this year is to - sort of - come out the crease a little bit" said Loquan, adding that he had noted the changing music scene in Trinidad and Tobago, and that popular soca songs on the party circuit received airplay, but traditional pan songs did not.  He characterized 'Colours Again' as a song with a 'party feel - but not one with just a few chords, but more, lending itself to a nice pan melody, nice structure.'   He was of the opinion that traditional pan songs, with long verses and long choruses were 'finding less and less appeal - both on the radio, as well as with arrangers.' 

Colours Again, Loquan described as an experiment for 2006, and was pleased, to have what could be a looked at as a confirmation that it was a success.  He said it was a melody which he had for a number of years but did not write it specifically for pan.  Having a popular artist like Destra Garcia perform a song that could be related to pan was different, and Loquan credits her with doing a great job vocalizing the song, and said 'she played an important role.'  

Loquan further credits a combination of things - including technology - for helping him get the music to interested parties, especially arrangers abroad; he simply emailed them the mp3's.  On the local scene, 'Colours Again' gained popularity through airplay, which led to requests for lead sheets by interested parties.

In comparison, Good Times was composed on the pan for panorama and fell more along traditional lines, said Loquan, 'but had a nice kind of a carnival party feel - a pan song with a party flavor.'  He has worked with the vocalist, Denyse Plummer for the past six years, and regards her as a natural performer of songs for pan. 

Mark Loquan believes that what is important is that 'you put good material out, and if people take it, it is a good reward.'

 

C. Phillips, Basement Press Corp.
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