Burning Flames 40 years of pulsating Soca Music

-
One Caribbean Nation.
Original Burning Flames mark 40 years of soca excellence
The legendary Original Burning Flames are marking 40 years of creating some of the Caribbean's most memorable and influential soca music. Since their formation in 1984, the band has become synonymous with high-energy performances, timeless hits, and a legacy that continues to inspire new generations of fans and artistes alike.
Hailing from the village of Potters, Antigua, the original line-up featured three brothers: Toriano King Onyan Edwards (vocals, guitar), David Bubb-I Edwards (vocals, bass), and Clarence Oungku Edwards (vocals, keyboards), along with drummer Rone Foxx Watkins. The brothers initially performed as buskers before joining Arrow's backing band, with Clarence notably serving as bass player and arranger on the world-famous hit Hot, Hot, Hot.
The band made an immediate impact on the carnival scene in 1985 with their song Stylie Tight, which won the Road March and was released as their debut single in 1986. They continued their rise with international hits like Workey Workey (1989), which was later covered by Byron Lee & the Dragonaires, and the 1990 track Chook and Dig. Their sound is a vibrant blend of high-energy soca and multiple musical influences, which earned them critical acclaim and a deal with Mango Records, leading to the release of their 1991 album, Dig.
Over the years, Burning Flames have amassed an unmatched record of 17 Road March titles as a band, including a dominant streak from 1985 to 2000 with 12 wins. In total, members of the Original Burning Flames have won the Road March title 21 times since their debut.
Throughout their career, the band became a staple of Antigua's Carnival, famous for their electrifying Lion's Dances at the Lion's Den, dynamic performances at the popular Jam Pond venue, and their ability to energise J'ouvert crowds from St John's all the way to Potters. Their infectious energy has also carried them far beyond the Caribbean, with tours and performances in China, the United States, Colombia, Europe, and more, captivating audiences worldwide.After a brief hiatus and line-up changes, the band reunited in 2015 with a celebrated concert at YASCO Sports Grounds.
Since then, the Original Burning Flames have maintained a rigorous touring schedule, performing frequently across the US, Europe, and the Caribbean. They have been honoured with keys to the city of Atlanta, making history as the first Caribbean band to receive this recognition, and remain a headline act at major Caribbean festivals and cultural events.
Looking ahead, the band's 40th Anniversary Tour includes stops in Toronto, Atlanta, New York, Belgium, Saint Lucia, Orlando, and Houston in 2025. They will also perform at the Antigua Independence Gala in New York and Miami, continuing their role as main entertainment since 2018.
Additionally, band members were awarded diplomatic status at their 40th Anniversary Concert and are slated to receive a National Award at Antigua's next Independence Award Ceremony in November 2025.
The Original Burning Flames' 40-year journey is a testament to their enduring talent and dedication. As they continue to set stages ablaze around the world, their legacy as soca pioneers remains firmly intact, proving that for them, the only limit truly is the sky.
As part of their anniversary celebrations, the Original Burning Flames will be featured at the CARIFESTA XV Soca Super Concert on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Richard Stoute Amphitheatre, National Botanical Gardens, Barbados.
The Soca Super Concert promises a night full of vibrant performances and high-energy music. The Super Concert series also includes Caribbean Jazz and Worldbeat on Tuesday, August 26; Reggae on Friday, August 29; and Vintage Kaiso on Saturday, August 30, all taking place at the same venue.
(PR)
From Barbados Today Friday, 15th., August 2025

Mahogany Coconut Comment :
Outside of Byron Lee and the Dragonaires , few modern Caribbean bands have had such longevity ; it's a tribute to their authenticity and creativity. May they entertain both Caribbean and international audiences , for many more years.  !KEEP THE FLAMES BURNING !!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Crime, desperation, and political responsibility in Barbados

-
One Caribbean Nation. By Ralph Jemmott The Democratic Labour Party’s Report on Crime, a 146- page document, has been published. It reflects the work of a 12-member commission chaired by Ms Verla DePeiza that was established to examine what appears to be a rising tide of criminality in Barbados. The DLP is to be commended for its efforts. The document itself is entitled A Blueprint to Rescue a Nation. Creeping old age and the fact of being ‘in town long’ have tended to make one sceptical of so-called ‘blueprints.’ This is particularly so when it comes to documents that propose to be able to ‘rescue’ an entire nation.’ Certainly, Barbados, like much of the region, is in need of change to alter the tendency to gun-running, crime—both blue and white collar—, social disorder, drug abuse, and family breakdown with all its attendant consequences. Someone stated recently that in today’s world, there is no guarantee of the success of anything. One aspect of the commission’s findings highlight...
Read more

Trinidad is a Real Country

-
One Caribbean Nation. by William Skinner Trinidad is a Real Country Trinidadians have a rather strange saying : “Trinidad is not a real country”. It’s a light hearted but often frustrating commentary on how “tings” are done in T and T. These things   range   from: complaining about vendors , selling their produce outside of the public markets , to the problems with   what initially appears to be difficult public servants and   customer service.   We say “initially appears”   because most of these often maligned public workers, are pretty cordial , when approached with a smile or   a  little joke. They are similar to    their Caribbean counterparts.   However, customers   who are not always pleasant are supposed to be always right ! Trinidad still has a   very entrenched hy-brid system of local and central government and its not unusual , to be given an answer to a problem , in a local burrough and then realise that t...
Read more

Barbados : Development or Exclusion

-
One Caribbean Nation. Not anti-development, just anti-exclusion Today’s Editorial On the surface, Barbados appears to be moving forward with high-end hotels, airport upgrades, and multimillion-dollar partnerships that frequently dominate the news cycle. The country is marketed as a rising star of Caribbean luxury tourism, with glossy renderings of resorts and ribboncuttings used as symbols of progress. But for many Barbadians, this version of progress feels increasingly out of reach. Behind the ribbon-cuttings lies a more sobering reality: one of rising inequality, poor public consultation, and a development model that appears to benefit a select few while leaving the average citizen behind. The image of progress has been carefully curated, but the substance is uneven at best. Take the highly-publicised Pendry Barbados development – a branded luxury resort with residences, beach clubs, and exclusive amenities. While these may sound like economic game changers, growing concerns suggest ...
Read more