Track Listing:

1. Perdoname
2. Si Usted Me Quiere
3. Inolvidable
4. Herida
5. Sonando
6. Dime Cuando
7. Chamo Candela
8. Sonando (Alternate)

Pa'l Destino
On Track

Unique salsa recording from Trinidad and Tobago includes steel pan in a salsa orchestra

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Review

On Track is another of our presentations that highlight the Latino music influences in the English speaking Caribbean. In 1996 we produced and released Los Dinamicos - Una Fusion Musical and later supported other recordings that had Parranda influences.

Like Una Fusion whose calypso "cross over" compositions were considered progressive at the time, On Track has broken new ground with the introduction of the steel pan. The incorporation of the steel pan instrument into the "brass section" of a salsa orchestra is a distinctly Trinidadian input into the salsa genre. It gives Pa'l Destino a unique sound. Track three, Inovidable, to me, best demonstrates the uniqueness yet the pan blends seamlessly. [Ron/eCaroh]

Who is Pa'l Destino

Pa'l Destino was born in January of year 2000 out of a group of musicians/friends who all had a yearning to play Latin music. This has culminated in the first salsa recording emanating from Trinidad and Tobago, the land of the steel pan. The incorporation of the pan into the "brass section" of a salsa orchestra is part of the local input into the salsa genre and this, we think, has given us a unique sound.

Foreword

What a welcome direction! Coming from Trinidad and Tobago, a country whose name is synonymous with calypso and soca, it is indeed refreshing and long overdue, given our history and geographic location, to have a group like Pa'l Destino enter the local recording scene, playing their brand of contemporary salsa. Not since the 1960's have we had a band from Trinidad & Tobago playing anything close to authentic salsa or, as it was called then, Afro-Cuban music. With music for both the listener and the dancer, I recommend this CD to all lovers of Latin music, as well as to those who simply love good music, played well.

Andre Tanker

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the following persons and organizations that have helped us to stay "On Track" with our vision. First of all, Keith Cayenne, long standing friend, who believed in us and was totally responsible for initiating this production. Keith, we love you and still live in hope that one day you will grace us with your presence on stage. Through Keith, we were introduced to Robert Johnson and Bayete Williams and the Audio Concepts crew in addition to the main sponsor of this production, Trintrac Ltd , in the person of Mr. Andrew Bernard. We sincerely appreciate your faith in us and will always be deeply grateful for the opportunity you have afforded us by granting us studio time for this production. Bayete Williams, you are a gem. We know that there were times that we over imposed on your good nature - we thank you for your generosity and patience and your willingness to go the extra mile with us. Man, that vibes solo - sweet.

We owe a debt of gratitude to Miss June Nathaniel for giving us our first break in public - in effect, having never heard the band perform, she signed us on mere trust for our debut at the "Fête de la Musique" held in Trinidad at the Hotel Normandie in June of 2000. We did surpass her expectations. Thank you June - you will always be in our hearts.

We want to thank Ernesto Garcia for his contribution to our appreciation and delivery of authentic Latin rhythms and, in a similar vein, Christian Quezada whose spirited performances with us have added the "sandungo" to our music. Regrettably, he was unable to perform on this production - next time Negro!

Jeremy Ledbetter, "Hatcher" - Canadian citizen, Trini at heart, friend and ethno-musicologist, added another dimension to this production and to the band's public appearances whenever he was available from his soca stints. Jay, thanks for your selfless contribution to this CD.

Joel Perez - friend and teacher. Man, we really treasure the contribution you made to this CD and the love you continue to share with us.

We sincerely appreciate the contribution made to the band by Trinmar through Mr. Felix Reyes who has been our friend and advisor. Thanks Felix for your continued support.

We sincerely thank the families of the band members who have supported us throughout and, particularly in this venture. We thank God for His many blessings and for being allowed to share with you the talents that He has bestowed on us.

Christine Commissiong & Michael Germain
Pa'l Destino

SPANISH TEXT

Prefacio

¡Qué dirección acogedora! Saliendo de Trinidad y Tobago, cuyo nombre es sinónimo con calypso y soca, es en efecto refrescante y atrasado, dada nuestra historia y ubicación geográfica, tener que un grupo como Pa'l Destino entre en el escenario local de grabaciones, tocando su marca de salsa contemporánea. Desde los años 60 no hemos tenido una banda de Trinidad y Tobago tocando algo similar a la salsa auténtica o, como la llamaban, música para el agente y el bailador, recomiendo este disco compacto a todos los amantes de música Latina, tanto como a aquéllos quienes gozan de buena música, bien tocada.

Andre Tanker

Agradecimientos

Pa'l Destino fue fundado en el año 2000 por un grupo de músicos/amigos quienes tenían ansía de tocar música latina. Esto culminó en la primera grabación de salsa de Trinidad y Tobago, cuna del steelpan. La incorporación del pan en la "brass section" de una orquesta de salsa es parte de la contribución local en el género de salsa y esto, pensamos, nos da un sonido único.

Quisiéramos agradecer a las siguientes personas y organizaciones que nos han ayudado a quedarnos "En Camino" con nuestra visión. Primero, a Keith Cayenne, amigo viejo, quien creía en nosotros y fue totalmente responsable por iniciar esta producción. Keith, te amamos y seguimos esperando que algún día nos acompañes en el escenario. Keith nos presentó a Robert Johnson y Bayete Williams y el equipo Audio Concepts y al patrocinador principal de esta producción, Trintrac Ltd., y su representante señor Andrew Bernard. Apreciamos sinceramente la fe en nosotros y siempre agradeceremos muchísimo la oportunidad de grabar este disco en su estudio. Bayete Williams, eres una joya. Reconocemos que a veces abusamos de su amabilidad - te damos gracias por tu generosidad y tu paciencia tu deseo de ayudarnos. Hombre, ese solo - rico.

Quedamos endeudados a la señorita June Nathaniel por nuestra primera oportunidad pública - en efecto, aunque nunca había escuchado a la banda, nos contrató por pura confianza para nuestro debú en la "Fiesta de Música" en Trinidad en el Hotel Normandie en junio del 2000. Superamos sus expectativas - Gracias, June, siempre te tendremos en el corazón.

Queremos agradecer a Ernesto García por su contribución a nuestro aprecio y ejecución de auténticos ritmos latinos y, de modo parecido a Christian Quezada, cuyas ejecuciones animadas con nosotros han agregado "el sandungo" a nuestra música. Lamentablemente no pudo tocar en esta producción - ¡ la próxima vez, Negro!

Jeremy Ledbetter, "Hatcher" - canadiense, trinitario en el fondo, amigo y etnomusicólogo, agregó otra dimensión a esta producción y a las presentaciones públicas de la banda estando libre de sus obligaciones de soca.¡ Gracias a ti, Jay, por tu contribución desinteresada a este disco compacto!

Joel Pérez - amigo y profesor. Hombre, apreciamos muchísimo tu contribución a este disco compacto y el amor que sigues compartiendo con nosotros.

Apreciamos muchísimo también la contribución a la banda de Trinmar y su representante Señor Félix Reyes quien ha sido amigo y consejero. Gracias, Félix, por tu apoyo continuado.

Agradecemos muchísimo a las familias de los miembros de la banda quienes nos han apoyado desde el principio, y particularmente en esta obra. Damos gracias a Dios por sus muchas bendiciones y por ser permitidos compartir con ustedes los talentos que nos ha concedido.

Christine Commissiong y Michael Germain
Pa'l Destino

Press Release

Trini Latin Band Launches CD Pa'l Destino, the hottest Latin Band emerging from Trinidad and Tobago, will launch its inaugural Album On Track on Sunday 1st December, 2002, 5:00 - 9:00pm at the Starlift Steel Orchestra Pan Theatre, Roxy Round-a-Bout, Woodbrook.

The public is invited to attend the Launch on Sunday 1st December when everyone will enjoy a full musical treat. The resident steelband, Starlift will give a live performance and, in keeping with the spirit of the season, leading bands from Holly's Parang Bandwagon will also perform. To commemorate the occasion, CDs, T-shirts and much more will be on sale. Richard's Bake & Shark and Corn Soup will complement a well-stocked Cash Bar.