BLOOD set for May release

by Andrea King

FROM THE T&T Soca Monarch stage to continuing his preparations for Crop Over, there has virtually been no rest for 2010 Party Monarch Anderson BLOOD Armstrong.

And the gigs coming out of his win last year are still rolling in. But BLOOD's focus now as April turns into May when the Cavalcades are set to begin two weeks into the month, is to complete his compilation album and recordings for the coming soca season.

"I had already finished 19 songs before going to Trinidad and they are already being mixed, so preparations for Crop Over 2011 never ceased," said the artiste who owns Redhead Records, which has released some popular soca songs and created some personalities to match. He also plans to add another five songs to that list.

"This year you can also look out for a bonus DVD with videos of some of the songs on the CD, so there'll be more visual this year as well. On the morning of release, May 2 at 9:00 A.M, we will be on four stations for an hour all at the same time," he revealed, explaining that the programme will be pre-recorded, but he had originally wanted to link the four stations for the simultaneous broadcast. 

It's quite an innovation for BLOOD, who understands that after nearly 30 years in Crop Over - 25 of which was spent with Square One - it is important to remain fresh for a demanding public.

"It is clear that every year you have to reinvent yourself, especially with Caribbean music and the way carnivals are. You may have a hit this year and next year you may not be as good as the last and all eyes will be on the next best thing," Blood opined. 

"As things get heated look out in the early stages for BLOOD's Power 1/2hr "THE EXPERIENCE" and then later on it will be BLOOD's Power Hour "THE EXPERIENCE". If all goes well we will also be doing a half hour on television with the music videos, once a week."

In reflecting on his Carnival 2011 experience, BLOOD seemed in no way fazed or disillusioned by the results, but disgusted with the verbal atrocities of the eventual winner, to the point that his own performance was extended when he tried to spread a message of one love and unity.

"There was and has been a lot of positive response to my message as people would have witnessed how the competition went that night. I certainly was not going to get into the name calling as a visitor to their shores. I think it is one thing to have and do picong against your competition and another to launch personal attacks at character and family etc. Unless there is a mutual understanding between the parties," he said.

He also noted that the Soca Monarch stage was quite comfortable and may have been as big as our Party Monarch stage. He was exceedingly diplomatic in commenting on assistance for staging a presentation during his performance that would have been on par with the Trinidadians'.

"As far as elaborate presentations go, they do get a decent enough performance fee to accommodate that and a portion of it is advanced, so that helps. The guys really go all out in their presentations though and it is harder for someone who has to fly in to have the other carnival expenses and still be able to afford such elaborate props etc. I did get some assistance from the National Cultural Foundation and I think under the current circumstances that they did their best. I really do appreciate the help I received. They were able to get my team down there .... dancers, band, security and vocalists to ensure that I was as comfortable in my performance as possible, and they also a gave a financial contribution.

I think however that for the future it has to be looked at and allotted for, as representatives leave these shores to fly Barbados' flag in any regional or international event," he declared.

Listen out for the release of BLOOD and Redhead Records' 2011 Crop Over music.

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