New York - One can not really have a serious discussion about pan in New York without talking about Moods Pan Groove. The long-time steelband music staple has its name permanently etched in the annals of steelband music history. Led by their president Clyde Durant, a New York pan stalwart and pillar of the New York steelband movement - Moods Pan Groove established itself as one of New York’s premier orchestras through the 1980s and 1990s.
Established in 1976 by noted arranger Brian “Bean” Griffith, Moods was always known for its cutting edge sound and musical direction. Musically, in many ways, Moods was ahead of its time, as their music refused to be defined and confined to the traditional steelband accepted boundaries and norms. Many have surmised that it was because of their defiant and uncompromising musical attitude, that robbed Moods Pan Groove of more panorama victories than their sole 1977 championship. However, whatever they may have lost in panorama wins, they more than made up for in respect from their peers for their ability and musical influence on the sound of pan in New York. Moreover, their music and performances have passed the test of time and only gets better with each passing year and listening. Moods has laid down some of the greatest pan music ever in the history of New York or Trinidad.
Sheldon Elcock of Moods Pan Groove
The feel and sound of New York pan is different than anywhere else in the world. Simply put, New York steelband music has a funky attitude with a heavy dose of Rhythm and Blues. It’s appeal is truly global. While this trend can be found in all the successful NY steel orchestras, no one embodied this know-how like Moods Pan Groove. For the majority of Moods existence, they have been led by the musical direction of two immensely talented and renowned composers/arrangers - the legendary Len “Boogsie” Sharpe and the great Robert Greenidge. Indeed, Robert Greenidge and Len “Boogsie” Sharpe represent two of the best composers and arrangers, of what are, undisputedly, the greatest tuned percussions in ensembles to ever grace the Americas - the steelpans.
In both 1994 and 1995 Basement Recordings captured Moods Pan Groove’s panyard performances as they prepared for panorama with a then-unheard of Yamaha 24 bit digital recorder. The results are two remarkable recordings of Moods Pan Groove playing “No Wuk for Carnival” and “Four Lara Four” as arranged, respectively, by Robert Greenidge and “Boogsie.”
Please be advised that these samples are reduced quality
.mp3s that in no way come close to the sonic audio quality of the original recordings.Leave a comment in the WST Forum
