Bradley was in St James last night at We Beat. Despers opened with “In My House” in a set that included “Rebecca” and “Ordinary People” and I stayed past mid-night, mesmerized by Rudolph’s children. There is something about pan that does it for me. And Despers is as good as it gets.
Starting with the tone of their pans and the sweet touch of their players, epitomized by Robbie who was not there, but he was well represented. Silver Stars beat their pan and they were really good. But Despers played theirs. Bradley’s arrangements completed the Trinity.
We Beat honored a Fatima old boy this year. He’s Keith Simpson, the backbone of St James Tripolians and a Fatima and steelband stalwart in the West. But another Fatima old boy showed up at Keith’s Party. And Clive must have really enjoyed himself. Form is temporary. Class is permanent.
