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Freetown Collective: What an Experience!

Freetown Collective Flier

There was an extraordinary hype about this Trinidadian group Freetown Collective, so extraordinary that I needed to unearth for myself what the buzz was all about.
So I attended Freetown Collective Unplugged: The VIP Show held at Night Cap on Sunday, January 29, 2012. I was blown away by the talent and conscious vibes that were oozing from these young men. Twas a truly entertaining evening!

The evening was so engaging that I'm sure most persons probably forgot the late start due to inclement weather and maybe even the weather itself. The performance commenced with a variation of sounds from Freetown Collective's very artistic percussionist, Baba Onilu. The amazing thing about Baba is that he makes all the instruments he plays. His brilliant sounds paved the way for the beginning of a very intimate session between Freetown Collective and the audience.
Keegan Maharaj, the poet; Lou Lyons, the guitarist and Muhammad Muwakil, the vocalist took the audience on a lyrical journey filled with real life experiences, tribulations, relationships, sex and love. Muhammad encouraged the listeners to "raise your hands at anytime, it's that kinda session."
The pieces were captivating, uplifting and awe-inspiring. The group exemplifies versatility, flair and togetherness. Lou shifted from keyboard to guitar and the group's bass player, Ikechi Griffith added to the rhythm and harmony of the evening.

"We have no song list..." said Muhammad, "…we want to feel the vibes from the crowd." The crowd was very much in tuned with the group; everyone was under their magical spell. One audience member asked "Who is Freetown Collective?" Muhammad replied "We are us." (Keep reading I'll tell you who they really are).
Freetown Collective is sheer conscious vibes. This is even exhibited in their spoken word pieces recited by the group's 'resident poet' Keegan. He treated the crowd to two pieces; the last one about sex was being recited for the first time. That one had everyone smiling from ear to ear.
Muhammad noted that Freetown Collective is very emotional about what they write, though entertaining to us; their pieces are what they feel, think, experience and dream of. We were very fortunate to be granted a tour through their minds.

My favourite song for the evening was a song done by Muhammad about the very first girl he loved. The lyrics told the story of love in its purest form, love defying borders, love lost. I was almost drawn to tears (the tears were there), and I am positive that I was not the only one.
The show ended with everyone on their feet, shaking and moving to the beat and the vibes coming from the group. What better way to conclude a remarkable evening of soulful lyrics, gifted performers and good vibrations?!

Now for the million dollar question, 'Who is Freetown Collective?' Freetown Collective is a tribe of highly passionate poets and lyricists. The Freetown concept follows on the notion that every man and woman has a personal responsibility to free themselves from negative mental and social chains so as to free their families, their neighbourhoods, their nations and indeed by extension, the world. So the music must remain a freeing agent creating within each listener a "free town" that he/she is able to build upon and move out to affect the world. Based in Trinidad, the group is swiftly becoming a force to be reckoned with.
If you missed the Night Cap showed you surely missed a damn good thing, but not to worry you can have your chance to be blown away at Freetown Collective's next show at the National Cultural Centre on Saturday, February 4, 2012 commencing at 8pm.

Freetown Collective is in Guyana as part of Upscale Poetry's 10th Anniversary Celebrations.

By Schemel Patrick

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