T-VICE
Still Red Hot
Still on Top

It¹s been about 10 years since very young Roberto and Reynaldo Martino started on the road to fame. Down the road, they added James Cardozo, and Gerald Kebreau, to the group. They have worked hard, and survived controversy, to emerged out of the shadow of their legendary father, Robert Martino, to become superstars on their own talents. Since their CD "Kompa Kontak," they have accumulated hit after hit and have influenced and challenged some of the older established konpa superstars. They are in high demand from Haiti to New York, from the Caribbean to Europe. If for nothing else, they are in demand because, they can party. And, There's no party like a T-Vice party!

Washington DC area has much love for T-Vice, and T-Vice gives the love right back. The concert highlight of the year is usually a T-Vice concert or better yet, a T-Vice party. More people come out than for any other performers. The beautiful ladies come out dress to kill, which means the handsome men and flannè yo, "bad boy lovers," come out too. Over the years, T-Vice has collected enough hits to rock any party.

The recent party at the Holiday Inn, in Silver Spring, Maryland, proved that T-Vice still throws a great party and that their popularity requires bigger venues. The Kennedy Ballroom filled up very quickly and T-Vice wasted no time getting the party started. The dance floor was filled quickly when "Tu me touches" got the party rolling, and before the dancers could get to their table, the group dropped another classic. As opposed to many konpa groups, the band is always ready for the next song and keeps the energy of the crowd at a high level.

With the ballroom filled to capacity the party got to a fever pitched, disturbing many who rented hotel rooms to get some rest. Unaffected by the heat, Roberto refused to stop the party even at the hotel's strong urgings. When Roberto announced "Nou po ko men¹m bay elikoptè-a," the crowd went wild. The group went into a medley of some of their greatest hits, including "Gason Makome" and "Min Medikaman-an." The night even included some rapping by James, one of the favorite of the ladies.

At hotel management's strong "request," the party ended early, but not before T-Vice drove the crowd into a frenzy with "helicopter." Rags in the air and wave, "vire, vire, vire, men elikoptè-a." Although the party was cut short, a short T-Vice party is still better than most. With the collection of hits, they've accumulated in the past few years, T-Vice can throw a hot party in just a few hours.

© echodhaiti.com, 07/2002

© echodhaiti.com, 07/2002