Pop Review : Too Few Attend Soca Concert

About the only thing missing from the “Soca Explosion ‘92” concert at Rancho Cienega Park on Sunday was a crowd to match the perfect weather conditions and strong performances. Most Americans know the vibrant Caribbean style through Buster Poindexter’s version of Arrow’s “Hot Hot Hot,” and that limited exposure meant a sparse (if enthusiastic) turnout of less than 2,000 for the bill of major soca artists.

Soca (a contraction for soul calypso ) merges the political and social thrust of classic calypso with a party-hearty dance stance. The four featured performers Sunday established their own personalities over the hot arrangements of a crack 13-piece Trinidadian band.

Crazy played the party wild man while Denyse Plummer, in a costume combining gold spangles and colored streamers, was a cross between a Vegas showgirl and a wildly plumed tropical bird. Both singers injected a touch of social commentary but largely relied on the frenetic dance rhythms to reach the audience.

In contrast, the black-clad Shadow stressed understatement and subtlety and was the day’s most impressive performer. His material worked more variation into the standard soca grooves--including bits of scat singing and a pronounced reggae flair on two songs.

Headliner Black Stalin’s 20-minute set paid more attention to dynamics and distinct song introductions than the norm, and there was enough looseness in one arrangement to allow bandleader Errol Ince to take a hot jazz trumpet solo. But Stalin’s performance suffered because his lyrics of black pride and Caribbean unity were lost in the live setting.

An earlier segment spotlighted punta rock, a Belizean pop hybrid that sounds like a less frenetic variation of soca seasoned with reggae. Backed strongly by the Cross Culture band, Andy Palacio proved an appealing singer and displayed the kind of vibrant stage presence that could connect with a broader audience.