Come Crop Over 2007, twin brothers Bruce and Barry Chandler, lead singers of soca band Jabae, will be battling it out.  However, fans can rest assured that the rivalry will be friendly as the brothers simply plan to bring out separate songs for themselves as well as at least two strong party songs for the season.

Speaking to CiRCUIT just before a charity concert, the brothers are relaxed, seemingly oblivious of the fact that they are now part of a hot commodity.  A lot of things are surprising about Jabae - for example, despite winning two of the biggest titles in this year’s festival, both brothers cite their favourite moment for Crop Over 2K6 as the Farley Hill party Soca Pon De Hill.

Perhaps it was a winning memory because it was in that moment when “it” came together for the band. “The crowd really responded to us,” says Bruce. “We looked out and everyone – EVERYONE - in the crowd was dancing to Flames.”

“They made us feel so welcome, the energy was great and we had a really great time,” adds Barry.

Perhaps that was the moment that Barry realised that the Bajan people loved the song, penned by Nadia Batson and produced by Trinidadian Neal Bernard. For Bruce ,however, it was on the first time hearing the song in February 2006 that he said with confidence to his brother “‘we gun win something this year, boy...”

And win they did. Flames earned the band the Road March title on Kadooment Day as well as the Party Monarch title which was sung by Barry only. But for Jabae, the real win was seeing their band really “come together.”

“We are like a real family,” says Bruce of the band which, along with the brothers, comprises of Bassist Roger Lewis, Keyboardist Stephen Taitt, Drummer Tito Ellis, trombone and sax by Steve Sobers and Roger Jordan respectively and guitarist Andy Griffith. Ana Assing from Trinidad also provides vocals. They are managed by Dwayne Grazette.

Last year “We Dey Oh” and “Whoopatie” won the band a lot of notice but 2006 it was their year as they forced veterans such as five-time Party Monarch Edwin, season sensation Contone and Lil’ Rick to settle for the “runners-up” positions.

Following Crop Over 2006, the band made its first major tour on September 28 at CARIFESTA IX under the theme “Celebrating Our People, Contesting the World Stage.”

There in a live concert, the band represented Barbados sharing the Hasely Crawford Stadium with Jamaican acts Mikey General and Trinidadian entertainers  Destra, Shurwayne Winchester, Denise Belfon, and Iwer George to name a few.

Flames is now enjoying a very large reception in Trinidad, perhaps because the infectious beat and top-class production was done in that island.  Plans are in place to take the tour around the region and maybe even to the United States.

But the plans for the future may surprise some.  For one thing, there is this separate song issue. This may mean that Bruce and Barry could go up against each other for the Party Monarch title, a premise that neither finds daunting.  It is an ingenious idea, as the brothers have achieved success from what each brings to the vocals – Bruce is more reggae and dancehall friendly, while Barry started out singing R&B. Separate songs would allow them to highlight these strengths.

Still that’s a while away.  For now, the band is concentrating on honing their talent together. They want to make sure they come just as strong, if not stronger, in 2007 so those fans will keep jumping and dancing to their songs.

Image by Andrew Hulsmeier