Iconic steelpan musician and innovator Jim "Jimi" Phillips has worked together with KFC to create signature steelpans with a spicy twist.
In a statement, franchise holder Prestige Holdings Limited said the project was a collaboration designed to ignite the spirit of Carnival once again.
"This taste of Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival in 2022, will be a bucket of entertainment, with their latest product innovation - the "Spicy Steel Buckets".
"The local fast-food giant in a collaborative effort with local pan maker and icon, Jim "Jimi" Phillip, designed and manufactured the KFC branded steel drums, which are ready to take to the streets of Trinidad and Tobago to share the sweet sounds of Trinidad’s national instrument."
Jim Phillip, one of the most decorated steel pan tuners, is known for his continued development of the steel pan instrument.
In a video interview for KFC, Jim Phillips said he took on the challenge of creating this new design.
"I was told to go and get a KFC bucket and look at it, I expanded the size and I brought it to life in accordance with the design of the KFC Bucket. It was really a challenge but I loved it".
The company said local pannist and social media personality Joshua Regrello, through his own efforts, has been keeping the sweet melodies of steelpan alive in the younger generation through his social media content and his latest EP “De Pan Man”.
The company said local panist and social media personality Joshua Regrello, through his own efforts, has been keeping the sweet melodies of steelpan alive in the younger generation through his social media content and his latest EP “De Pan Man”.
The company said this hasn't gone unnoticed as they have also included his energetic personality in this project.
"Regrello will be the man on the streets joyfully playing the KFC pans at strategic locations during the season, bringing the music to the people in hopes of spreading the carnival spirit. PHL has confirmed that all COVID-19 protocols will be observed in this production."
The company said 2022's Carnival celebrations are a positive sign of post-pandemic recovery.
"A taste of Carnival in 2022 should be seen as our moving closer to a resumption of pre-pandemic norms. The re-introduction of traditional carnival elements into this year's celebrations is a step in the right direction and the efforts of brands like KFC to help preserve our cultural heritage will hopefully instill hope for better days ahead."
Replies
Congratulations to my friend Jimi Phillip on this remarkable achievement (thanks & praises). The innovative abilities is quite evident in the numerous steelpan innovations awards Jimi has won...this only adds to the long list...continued success bro.
It may be too early to call but I am concerned about the direction of corporate responsibility and advertising. Where is the real emphasis? Is it the support for the national instrument or is it product the company is selling? Who decides on the cost of the relationship, the sponsor or the band? What factors are taken into account in determining the value of a steelband? Are steelbands the primary beneficiaries of the relationship? What does that do to the "playing field" when it comes to Panorama? Should there be a competition for sponsored bands and another for unsponsored bands? Stalin warned us in "Whay I Band."
Pay attention steelpan practitioners don't be suckers in your relationship with sponsors. Or, as the old sying goes don't sell your soul to the devil.
Jimi has for decades been exploring the engineering aspect of the process of making pans.
He has also worked with the accessories involved in pan like collapsible pan stands, special tools for making pans, jigs and machines for sinking and grooving, as well as the idea of using sheet metal rather that complete steeldrums to make pans.
This latest venture adds "designing" to his list of achievements in tuning, engineering, amplification, and research and product development. His "deceased " fellow pan soldier Jomo Wahtuse must be looking down and smiling!
Congratulations to the brother!.