THE NATIONAL PANORAMA FINALS was a real Carnival symphony of steel, and it was a very close race between last year's winners Phase II Pan Groove, and the Neal and Massy All Stars for top spot last Saturday night.

But with just a two-point difference, the All Stars edged their way to first place and the historic TT$1 million first prize playing the Leon "Smooth" Edwards arrangement of Pan Lamentation.

The 120-member Phase II did justice to the Pelham Goddard arrangement of Crazy's Sharing Licks, and their presentation was enhanced by a short choreography which preceded them on stage – the jab jabs with whips to demonstrate exactly what they would do with their rivals.

The ears of the judges must have been fine-tuned to the musical complexities of the arrangments between the two bands. Certainly they were evenly matched in sheer energy while playing and choreography.

Placing third in the Conventional Large Band category was Sagicor Exodus who also used a Goddard arrangement, but of Roger George's We Jammin' Again. They won TT$650 000.

There was also a close call between the first two places of the Medium Band category, but Courts Sound Specialists of Laventille won the first prize of TT$600 000, while Excellent Stores Silver Stars placed second and pocketed TT$550 000.

There were eight finalists in each of the categories, and bands seemed to spend more time getting from the drag – the space where they assemble before going on stage – to the stage where they organise themselves before playing.

This year's Panorama had a number of firsts: the million-dollar prize, the first year it was held in San Fernando and the first year without a preliminary.

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