Army of One

Last night, East London was treated to a vibrant soirée, Trinbagonian style, ushering in the spirit of Carnival, Notting Hill style. Nicholai La Barrie staged a truly eclectic night at East London’s Masque Bar, flanked by the masterfully creative Sheldon Blackman and by the poetic prowess of writer/performer, Malika Brooker. The mood was set with the candlelit tables à deux, the intimacy of performer and audience, stage and ‘pit’, preparing the eager patrons of varied nationalities for a night of top class entertainment.

Malika Brooker opened the night with her poetry, depictions of love in its many forms, emotions and stages. Her courage alone penetrating her attentive listeners, guiding them through various themes: abortion, lost love, machismo, tough love, and sweetest of all, uncontrollable love. Her style was delivered simply yet effectively, its message clearly manipulated by her responsive gesticulations and enthusiasm for her chosen subject.

Malika also doubled as MC for the night, and welcomed Sheldon Blackman – The Believer, to the stage, a man respected for his many artistic talents, for his message, his role in the Rapso and Jamoo movements, but tonight, he was the supporting act. Another note to his humility and determination to help steer the course of his fellow ‘revolutionary’ brothers. Performing ‘Maracas’, ‘Revolution Reloaded’ and ‘London Calling’, which he admittedly had to ‘improvise’, having not performed the song for some time, however, after knocking around a few notes on his guitar, found the key and delivered to an elated crowd. He utilised the age-old kaiso tradition of call and response, to which the locals had to warm up to, but soon got involved. (www.sheldonblackman.com) His presence alone would have been sufficient to energise and inspire his longstanding friend, Nicholai La Barrie.

Superhero to many small insects. His flowing dreadlocks tantamount to his patience, dedication, talent and determination to showcase his work in this adopted city of London. La Barrie has always been a force in the arts and is one of the true Young Leaders in this world, sustaining respect from Trinidad & Tobago as well as the British and European public. His work in the London arts scene is visibly concentrated on the youth, with his role as Head of Youth Arts at the Oval House Theatre, anchoring him to his work and cause. (www.ovalhouse.com)

His opening set was an instrumental piece that gave a taste of the talent on show. A mélange of sounds, styles, beats and instruments gave the eager listeners a taste of the eclectic musical talent of Nicholai La Barrie. He then launched in to his set, summoning the energy of his audience: friends, friends of friends, his students, patrons of the bar upstairs who were simply drawn to the vibe downstairs. His rendition of ‘Army of One’, a powerful song depicting the strength of individual perseverance to foster positive change, moved the crowd, Nicholai strutting his vocal capabilities by varying the tempo of the song to allow a full comprehension of the lyrical content, too many times one would imagine, the lyrical substance of a song being overshadowed by instrumentals or singing style. His inevitable encore paid dues to the mastery of the song, ‘Army of One’.

The show was a great opener to a carnival weekend full of promise. Rapso and its various offshoot movements have always been a positive source for inspiration and enlightened fulfilment. Another little piece of Trinidad & Tobago that can surely be used as a confident showpiece of talent, art and music, a veritable expression of our people, our struggles, our passion, our Trinidad & Tobago.