New song does it for Ebony, Aretha

Fitzroy ‘Brother Ebony’ Joseph seems to have a knack for winning the New Calypso Song competition. He won the contest when the aspect was introduced 2003 but was dethroned last year when Alexis ‘Lexie’ Joseph took the title.

This year was sweet revenge for Brother Ebony, with his return to royalty. With his number ‘Good old days,’ Brother Ebony outpointed his six rivals to gain the judges’ nod at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce Car Park last Saturday. {{more}}

Lexie’s rendition was ‘This is carnival.’ Selwyn ‘Jinny’ Delepeche with ‘Road to progress,’ Derek ‘Man Sick’ Alexander: ‘Education revolution,’ Aloma ‘Fatty Dan’ Codougan ‘I experience life,’ Kenrick ‘Bum-E’ Bowens: Allergies and Quintyn ‘Toiler’ Toby: ‘Caricom Single Market.’

The band Signal accompanied the presentation which formed part of a grand opening for the 2005 festivity. A package of entertainment characterised the day’s activity with all aspects of the carnival spectacle of parade.

The Soca version of the New Song Competition was a ladies’ affair. Not that men are not interested; in fact they are very much keen on securing the title, but only females have won the crown so far. The new winner was Aretha Shallow. who first burst onto the national arena when she placed second in the inaugural Schools Soca competition with a number ‘cant stop we.’ That song established Aretha’s mark as an artiste of merit.

Since then, she has been a consistent performer on the adult stage.

Aretha proved her dexterity with a song called ‘Unity’ last Saturday. Using the experience she has gained in her relatively short career, Aretha outpointed her rivals.

Last year, when that version was introduced, Denise ‘Lady D’ Stephens took the title. However, lady d. with her number ‘Show me your colours’ was unable to retain her championship.

The other contenders were former calypso and Independence King Glenroy ‘Sulle’ Caesar: ‘Mas Tsunami,’ Kenroy ‘Pusaz’ Jacobs, Higher standards,’ Asquit ‘Squitty’ Charles: ‘Just riddim,’ Shevrell ‘Smac’ McMillian ‘The rhythm,’ and Roland ‘Rolly’ Bowman who did ‘Put down the guns.’