Metro Steel Orchestra - “Sweet Soca Man” - 2026 - (‘Cool Down’ version - Video)
Vanessa Headley-Brewster - Arranger
Brooklyn, New York, USA - With five of the nine competing steel orchestras in the 2026 New York Panorama choosing to perform Voice’s runaway 2026 hit “Cyah Behave” for this year’s Panorama - it was surprising that Metro Steel Orchestra, led by Anthony “Big Tony” Joseph, chose to deliver the classic Sweet Soca Man (“Baron”).
The re-imagining and delivery of the song was led by champion arranger Vanessa Headley-Brewster. She unleashed a bold arrangement with much audacity and sauciness, the hallmark of the classic track itself. Playful, witty but unmistakably letting listeners know she is in charge musically.
The nuances of romance and the ‘sweetness’ of Soca Man Baron are never lost in the arrangement. This piece is remarkable storytelling. Metro Steel Orchestra indeed delivers a performance with unforgettable elegance.
Basement Recordings captured Metro Steel Orchestra on Thursday September 3 as the band prepared in their Brooklyn, New York panyard before going to Panorama on Saturday September 5, 2026.
Field Technicians -- Lee Bennett & C. Phillips
2026 New York Panorama - get RESULTS
Click below for more performances of 2026 New York Panorama steel orchestras:
TEMPO Videos ** D’Radoes -- PanAlley -- Despers USA
COOL DOWN Videos ** D’Radoes -- PanAlley -- Despers USA -- Metro
Metro Steel Orchestra during their recording session,
September 3, 2026
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