song: Jumbie
artist:Machel Montano
album: Book of Angels
Directed by: Walt Lovelace & Advance Dynamics Limited

In addition to being Soca ( music indigenous to T&T) this song relates to Carnival vibes in Trinidad. The play on the word 'jumbie' ( a mythical being eg. ghoul, zombie etc. OR a person addicted to something) was well interpreted, using the format which is a spin-off of Micheal Jackson's Thriller. Although they used a play on words, the sense of a mas/party/ dance addiction remained true with the dancers. - these jumbie dancers put Jackson's dancers to shame, these have REAL energy, after all it is soca!
What is also good is the use of the dark lights, beings that 'jumbies' only come out at night and then in the daylight (contraluz) because 'jumbies' come out at any time.
The use of the moko-jumbies ( men on stilts) also adds a sense of humor (again a play of words) while bringing something local and relevant to the carnival spirit. What I think was well done is the line "out of body, back to yourself" where the video art comes into play. The video effect fits snuggly into place and really enhances the words giving fantastic imagery.




Keri Fabien