Neal and Massy Trinidad All Stars walked away with the top prize of an unprecedented TT$1 million at the 2007 National Panorama Finals held before a large crowd at Skinner Park, San Fernando, on Saturday.
By Keino SwambePlaying "Pan Lamentation" by De Fosto and arranged by Leon "Smooth" Edwards, the Duke Street, Port of Spain, band beat out defending champions Phase 11 Pan Groove and six other bands to take home their sixth title with 288.5 points.
The band's last victory was in 2002 with "Firestorm" - another De Fosto composition.
Collecting the coveted trophy and the cheque on behalf of the band was Nalo Sampson who described the victory as "historic".
"This is the first year in San Fernando, the first year without a preliminary (round) and the first year with a $1million prize," Sampson said. "We have been waiting for this feeling since our last win. We worked really hard and we deserve this. We gave a great performance and I am happy."
Sampson said the plans for the use of the prize money ($750,000 cash and $250,000 in units) will be discussed at the management level.
Only two points separated the winning band from their Woodbrook-based rivals.
Phase 11 Pan Groove earned 286.5 points and $700,000 with their rendition of Len "Boogsie" Sharpe's "Sharing Licks" which was sung by Crazy.
Placing third in the Conventional Bands - Large category with 275 points and $650,000 was Sagicor Exodus with a Pelham Goddard arrangement of "We Jammin Again" by Roger George.
Playing their way into winners row in the Conventional Bands -Medium category- was the Courts Sound Specialists of Laventille with Colleen Ella's "Johnny" - composed by Gary Dore and Robin Imamshah and arranged by Ken "Professor" Philmore.
They earned 279 points and $600,000.
Reacting to the victory was the band's manager Richard Forteau who said the band started working on its selection before Christmas last year.
"One band sent a message to us and told us if we are doing a tune before Christmas we are doing parang," Forteau said. "Well, the parang actually paid off."
Following closely behind with a one-point difference was the Excellent Stores Silver Stars of Newtown, Port of Spain, playing the Edwin Pouchet and Alvin Daniel composition "Soca Is It" as sung by Chucky.
They took home $550,000.
In third place with 277 points was Clico Sforzata playing a Yohan Popwell arrangement of David Rudder's "Calypso Music".
