Soca Buzz
Soca Buzz!!! This week 07/06/06
By Islandevents Features Desk
Jun 7, 2006, 9:26

Mastamind leaves Asylum

Ace keyboardist and producer Shawn ‘Mastamind’ Noel has left Bunji Garlin and Asylum.

Mastamind, produced Bunji’s two Soca Monarch winning titles (Warrior Cry and Blaze The Fire) and Shurwayne Winchester 2006 Groovy Soca Monarch winner Don’t Stop.

The heavy schedule of the top band caused Mastamind to leave so he could concentrate fully on his production company.

Currently working on the all female Estrogen riddim, the award winning producer looks forward to continued works with the former Soca Monarch winner.

Soca Awards Announce Nominees

The Soca Awards Committee last announced the nominees for this year’s awards aboard The Golden Sunshine in New York.

The Soca Awards Organization, which was founded in 2003 by Trinidad native Mr. Colin Jackman, recognises contributions and activities of significance to the recording field.

The red carpet award ceremony was held last year in Queens Hall in Trinidad but this year has reverted to its home in New York.

The nominees this year include Bunji, Mista Vybe, Machel & Patrice, Ozy Majic, Miss Alysha, Shurwayne Winchester and Shawn ‘Mastamind’ Noel.

Carnival of Cultures in Germany

Berlin's annual carnival of cultures on Saturday drew about 350 000 people on to the streets of the German capital to watch 70 floats from various countries.

About 4 300 people took part in the colourful procession which snaked through the multi-cultural western district of Kreuzberg for nine hours.

The football World Cup 2006, which is being played in Germany from Friday, emerged as a strong influence, with a mock match between Italy and Brazil staged on one the floats.

The festivities which culminated with a street party on Monday drew approximately 1.5 million spectators to the 2nd largest festival of its kind in Europe, second only to Notting Hill Carnival.

RPB in Crop Over

Veteran Bajan calypsonian red plastic bag will definitely be in Crop-Over this year, however it is still uncertain if he will compete.

Rumours that Red Plastic Bag (RPB) would compete were fuelled by his recent registration for the Pic-O-De-Crop calypso contest.

According to the seven-time calypso monarch he registered in order to keep his options open.

RPB is also unsure which tent he will perform with for the season.

In the past couple of years RPB has not performed in Crop Over for various reasons including to protest the high level of piracy in Barbados.

Germany Attempts Carnival Record 

On 20 June 2006, Kaiserslautern in Germany will attempt to capture the Guinness World Record for "longest carnival street parade ever".

The parade comprising musicians, Kings and Queens costumes, Limbo and other dancers from T&T, will be held on 'Eisenbahnstrasse' and 'Rummelstrasse'.

The cultural contingent from T&T that recently left for Germany will make up the major part of the parade, including Iwer, Kes, Stalin, Rikki Jai, Defosto and Woodbrook Playboyz.