BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - IT was definitely live and lively on Wednesday night (Dec. 14) as fans tuned in to be the first to hear the newest songs of the Nu Vybes Band International that will be rocking not only the airwaves but also the streets of Basseterre during this Carnival season.
Over 2000 'Sugarheads' were glued to their radios, mobile phones, and computers as the Freedom FM Station came alive at 10:00 p.m. with the sweet sounds of the Sugar Band's past songs before the highly anticipated launch.
Some of the band members joined Sweet Sister Sensia at the radio station to 'release de throttle' - the long awaited album that the band has been in the recording studio working on since September of this year.
The album comprises of ten tracks which were written and musically arranged by lead vocalist Gregory ‘Mention’ Hobson, and Jason 'KT' Jacobs.
"Everything is Everything" is the name of this year's album and according to Hobson, no matter what the circumstance, as long as one has life, everything is everything.
He explained, "That is the concept you have to have in life because even when things are not well, you have to tell yourself that everything is everything to give yourself a chance because life is a constant struggle.
"Even when there is a rainy season, you can't just look at it as all rain; you have to look for some kind of hope. At the end of the day once you have life that is the most important thing. Talk is cheap, once you have life, everything is everything."
The first track to be released for the night was ‘Electric City’, which is a little different from the other songs on the album. Like its name, the tempo of the song was electric tune but it also carries a mellow groove.
The album also features two other groovy Socas: ’Whining Tournament’, and ‘Encore’.
Some of the more up-tempo songs included Love Boat, Wet Down, and Bounce Cheque.
‘Carnival Motorcade’ was described as "a serious thing" and according to Band Manager, Junie Adams, "If you're in the way of Sugar Band when we release the throttle, you're going to run into problems."
There is something about the chorus chant 'release de throttle' that upon hearing it, one feels forced to bounce all around.
The song that most of the fans were waiting to hear was ‘Wickedest Whine’, which came with no disappointment, and it can be guaranteed that whenever the band starts playing this song, the girls will be showing off their wickedest whine.
One of the songs entitled ‘iRep’ was described as ambassadorial and pays respect to our Kittitian nationality.
‘Load It’, the final song to be released from the album brought the curtains down on what the fans deemed a very successful launch.
The band was congratulated on a job well done by their 'diehard' fans who called in after the show to profess their endless love for the music they produce.
In an interview with SKNVibes, Hobson said that the launch was very successful and well received by the audience as they had all positive feedback from them.
CDs are available from members of the band who are currently on what they call the 'Sugar Corner' (corner of Fort and Princes Street). The price is at the usual EC$50.
