SUMMER 2016 PREVIEW: WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR BANDS!
MEMORIAL DAY is here and as you all know, it is the unofficial start of SUMMER for many. Summer and Nov/Dec are 2 of the most important seasons in the business for bands when it comes to NEW CDS and TOURS. Like we so often do, we take a look at different bands to preview THEIR upcoming summer in terms of NEW MATERIAL to see if they are on the right track or not.
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*KLASS: No other band seems to have properly planned their Summer as well as this group so far. You are already in demand in the popularity department, and then you drop a NEW CD a month or so before Summer, and with a popular CD and songs from the CD already doing their thing; can you name a band on the market that has SUMMER "Working" well for them already...even before it begins officially? "Map Marye" gentan jwenn route pa l pou Summer a. It's clear that they did their work during the Fall semester so that they would not be left behind in Summer school.
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*GAZZMAN DISIP: They just released a brand new CD, so that means NEW BOOKINGS coming up for the band, as well as new material for the fans to listen to at their bals. POSITIVE ACCLAIM so far for the short amount of time that the CD has been released...let's wait and see because LI BONHEUR TOUJOU, but DISIP's Summer looks bright compared to where they have been for the last 2 years or so.
_________________________________________
*NU LOOK: The x-factor that a lot of people are waiting on to see what they are going to bring to the table for the Summer. It would have been ideal had they dropped something new earlier this month, but if any material is released in the month of JUNE, it can only be great news for this group's summer outlook. If they drop an ENTIRE CD like it has been rumored....even better. If they drop a song or two and one of them starts working right away for Lariviere, it gives the group breathing room to work on the CD; but at this point..SE CD A KE PEUPLE LA VLE.
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*CARIMI: To say that this group needs new material on the market could be seen as an exaggeration to some, and a clear reality to others. No idea what tour plans they have in the Summer for Haiti; or if they will skip it altogether in order to concentrate in the studio on the release of an upcoming CD for the fall. A new "PURE" CARIMI single/video would be a great for next month (We're not talking about the mix/5 Lan collabos either.) What is certain is that their last studio CD for whatever reason; despite having a popular hit song "Baby I Miss U" on there; was expected by many to do "more" than it did on the market. Carimi needs to put their signature on this Summer and a single hit song is the perfect way to do that.
*T-VICE: Another group who despite their very busy BAL schedule.....NEEDS new material to hit the streets A.S.A.P. The group is apparently taking more time than usual with this material than past material; perhaps knowing how important it is to hit the market with something major....and not just a "so so" material. Their last CD also did not do what was expected or needed on the market; so they've been in the lab for a minute now working. It is almost a given that they KNOW and FEEL that they need something MAJOR on their next CD to remind people in the industry why they've been a steady business in this HMI for many years.
_______________________________________________________
*MASS KONPA GRACIA DELVA: Gracia seems to have well timed his group's summer with a new cd set to be released on the market in June...just in time for the festivities of the Summer in Haiti. All indications this time around as well, seem to indicate that they have taken a huge step forward in the marketing/promotion department, which seems to indicate how seriously they are taking this CD.
______________________________________________________
*DJAKOUT #1: The group's CD seems to have taken a hit after their nasty divorce with Steeve Khe. They have not released a music video from this CD for over 1 year (Libre D'aimer) being it...sung by Steeve Khe. Either they don't believe enough in the other material that they have main vocalist Pouchon singing; or they are doing their best to try to put the focus on possible new vocalist Polo. A new song is set to be released by the group to introduce Polo officially; but no one seems to know WHEN that will drop; and if it will just feature POLO, or a duet with Pouchon. Key member Shabba has shifted his focus on his upcoming SOLO CD in the meantime. Bookings in Haiti are solid; what about in the U.S for the Summer? They don't usually spend time in the States during the Summer; so in that front....they are on their normal routine...PRESSURE IS ON for THAT new upcoming song to do SOMETHING; or else the fans will start talking about Djakout missing Steeve Khe again.
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*ZENGLEN: If WID's issue is resolved, then the Summer gets interesting for the band. It will be as if they are just starting to push a brand new CD. If WID is still not able to travel to go support the new CD, does Zenglen go ahead and take the plunge with Frero ONLY overseas like some people are saying they should have done a long time ago; or do they revisit other strategies to keep the flame lighting under the CD? A Suivre.
*KREYOL LA: On cruise control for the Summer continuing to work on promoting their latest CD. It's all about pushing the current CD on the market.
*HARMONIK: Group in a delicate situation. An excellent CD with great material did NOT do them justice last time around; and did not do anything of significance for the band....except deliver a hit song, which did not really help the way that it should have. Now in a more peaceful place business wise because of their return with their manager/owner; but that still does not take away the fact that they need to release something new on the market, and that THAT material has to do better than the reception that their last CD had. Many usually say that you only need 1 hit song to ride the wave for a year or two; so in that sense, if it's one hit that you need, it's not a good idea to bet against Harmonik because they have proven with "Obsede", "Illegal" that they can deliver...and if nothing changes when the new material drops; the "boycott" excuse that was used for the last 2/3 years...will not compute here.
_________________________________________________________
*SWEET MICKY: The talk of the HMI for the month of MAY when he made his official return on stage. With a new song, and more premiere dates in different towns scheduled for the Renaissance tour; as well as talk of an upcoming CD; no doubt that Sweet Micky will continue to be heard for the Summer.
________________________________________________
*CRUZ LA: This is the CD that is supposed to take the group to the next level; so maybe they are feeling the pressure of that because the original date of release for the CD was delayed. I guess we'll see the results THIS SUMMER if the CD does see light this Summer.
*509: Another group many observers are looking to see what they are going to bring with their first new cd in years.
*JBEATZ: Expect them to continue trying to push the new CD that they have on the market.
*K-ZINO: We have been told to expect a NEW SONG and a music video for LOCKED AWAY song; but the CD is set for October.
*GABEL: This Summer looks like it will be one to "GRIND" for the group because manager Patrick Fabre told me NOT to expect anything new from the band in terms of material. I guess the NEW POSTER is what will be used as motivation to keep the fans glued until the next CD.....unless of course they still plan to drop a music video or two for the current Gabel cd on the market.
*5 LAN: They were to have released a new single "COCKTAIL" since April; now 5 Lan seems to be thinking about leaving that alone and dropping a full CD. Any Summer club bangers scheduled? Regardless of what happens, they still booked and getting played in the clubs by the DJs.
*X-TASSY: I was told not to expect new material just yet from the manager; then again, this group is known to spring a surprise or two on us...just like when they dropped that Valentine's single out of nowhere on us. Maybe they'll do it again this Summer.
*ENPEKAB: Will be looking to make an offensive this Summer to try and establish themselves a bit more in the NYC market. SUMMER is a good time as any to do that.
*LOGIN: BODO is set to put the group into overdrive when he releases his first song as maestro/owner of the group....along with a music video.
_____________________________________
*KLASS: No other band seems to have properly planned their Summer as well as this group so far. You are already in demand in the popularity department, and then you drop a NEW CD a month or so before Summer, and with a popular CD and songs from the CD already doing their thing; can you name a band on the market that has SUMMER "Working" well for them already...even before it begins officially? "Map Marye" gentan jwenn route pa l pou Summer a. It's clear that they did their work during the Fall semester so that they would not be left behind in Summer school.
___________________________________
*GAZZMAN DISIP: They just released a brand new CD, so that means NEW BOOKINGS coming up for the band, as well as new material for the fans to listen to at their bals. POSITIVE ACCLAIM so far for the short amount of time that the CD has been released...let's wait and see because LI BONHEUR TOUJOU, but DISIP's Summer looks bright compared to where they have been for the last 2 years or so.
_________________________________________
*NU LOOK: The x-factor that a lot of people are waiting on to see what they are going to bring to the table for the Summer. It would have been ideal had they dropped something new earlier this month, but if any material is released in the month of JUNE, it can only be great news for this group's summer outlook. If they drop an ENTIRE CD like it has been rumored....even better. If they drop a song or two and one of them starts working right away for Lariviere, it gives the group breathing room to work on the CD; but at this point..SE CD A KE PEUPLE LA VLE.
_______________________________________
*CARIMI: To say that this group needs new material on the market could be seen as an exaggeration to some, and a clear reality to others. No idea what tour plans they have in the Summer for Haiti; or if they will skip it altogether in order to concentrate in the studio on the release of an upcoming CD for the fall. A new "PURE" CARIMI single/video would be a great for next month (We're not talking about the mix/5 Lan collabos either.) What is certain is that their last studio CD for whatever reason; despite having a popular hit song "Baby I Miss U" on there; was expected by many to do "more" than it did on the market. Carimi needs to put their signature on this Summer and a single hit song is the perfect way to do that.
*T-VICE: Another group who despite their very busy BAL schedule.....NEEDS new material to hit the streets A.S.A.P. The group is apparently taking more time than usual with this material than past material; perhaps knowing how important it is to hit the market with something major....and not just a "so so" material. Their last CD also did not do what was expected or needed on the market; so they've been in the lab for a minute now working. It is almost a given that they KNOW and FEEL that they need something MAJOR on their next CD to remind people in the industry why they've been a steady business in this HMI for many years.
_______________________________________________________
*MASS KONPA GRACIA DELVA: Gracia seems to have well timed his group's summer with a new cd set to be released on the market in June...just in time for the festivities of the Summer in Haiti. All indications this time around as well, seem to indicate that they have taken a huge step forward in the marketing/promotion department, which seems to indicate how seriously they are taking this CD.
______________________________________________________
*DJAKOUT #1: The group's CD seems to have taken a hit after their nasty divorce with Steeve Khe. They have not released a music video from this CD for over 1 year (Libre D'aimer) being it...sung by Steeve Khe. Either they don't believe enough in the other material that they have main vocalist Pouchon singing; or they are doing their best to try to put the focus on possible new vocalist Polo. A new song is set to be released by the group to introduce Polo officially; but no one seems to know WHEN that will drop; and if it will just feature POLO, or a duet with Pouchon. Key member Shabba has shifted his focus on his upcoming SOLO CD in the meantime. Bookings in Haiti are solid; what about in the U.S for the Summer? They don't usually spend time in the States during the Summer; so in that front....they are on their normal routine...PRESSURE IS ON for THAT new upcoming song to do SOMETHING; or else the fans will start talking about Djakout missing Steeve Khe again.
____________________________________________
*ZENGLEN: If WID's issue is resolved, then the Summer gets interesting for the band. It will be as if they are just starting to push a brand new CD. If WID is still not able to travel to go support the new CD, does Zenglen go ahead and take the plunge with Frero ONLY overseas like some people are saying they should have done a long time ago; or do they revisit other strategies to keep the flame lighting under the CD? A Suivre.
*KREYOL LA: On cruise control for the Summer continuing to work on promoting their latest CD. It's all about pushing the current CD on the market.
*HARMONIK: Group in a delicate situation. An excellent CD with great material did NOT do them justice last time around; and did not do anything of significance for the band....except deliver a hit song, which did not really help the way that it should have. Now in a more peaceful place business wise because of their return with their manager/owner; but that still does not take away the fact that they need to release something new on the market, and that THAT material has to do better than the reception that their last CD had. Many usually say that you only need 1 hit song to ride the wave for a year or two; so in that sense, if it's one hit that you need, it's not a good idea to bet against Harmonik because they have proven with "Obsede", "Illegal" that they can deliver...and if nothing changes when the new material drops; the "boycott" excuse that was used for the last 2/3 years...will not compute here.
_________________________________________________________
*SWEET MICKY: The talk of the HMI for the month of MAY when he made his official return on stage. With a new song, and more premiere dates in different towns scheduled for the Renaissance tour; as well as talk of an upcoming CD; no doubt that Sweet Micky will continue to be heard for the Summer.
________________________________________________
*CRUZ LA: This is the CD that is supposed to take the group to the next level; so maybe they are feeling the pressure of that because the original date of release for the CD was delayed. I guess we'll see the results THIS SUMMER if the CD does see light this Summer.
*509: Another group many observers are looking to see what they are going to bring with their first new cd in years.
*JBEATZ: Expect them to continue trying to push the new CD that they have on the market.
*K-ZINO: We have been told to expect a NEW SONG and a music video for LOCKED AWAY song; but the CD is set for October.
*GABEL: This Summer looks like it will be one to "GRIND" for the group because manager Patrick Fabre told me NOT to expect anything new from the band in terms of material. I guess the NEW POSTER is what will be used as motivation to keep the fans glued until the next CD.....unless of course they still plan to drop a music video or two for the current Gabel cd on the market.
*5 LAN: They were to have released a new single "COCKTAIL" since April; now 5 Lan seems to be thinking about leaving that alone and dropping a full CD. Any Summer club bangers scheduled? Regardless of what happens, they still booked and getting played in the clubs by the DJs.
*X-TASSY: I was told not to expect new material just yet from the manager; then again, this group is known to spring a surprise or two on us...just like when they dropped that Valentine's single out of nowhere on us. Maybe they'll do it again this Summer.
*ENPEKAB: Will be looking to make an offensive this Summer to try and establish themselves a bit more in the NYC market. SUMMER is a good time as any to do that.
*LOGIN: BODO is set to put the group into overdrive when he releases his first song as maestro/owner of the group....along with a music video.
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