–to help push solo comeback on Soca scene

HE may be a long way from home, but he has two new pieces he’s been longing to run by Soca fans wherever in the world they might happen to be.

And, where better to do it than here in Guyana, arguably the place to be at this time of year, with the just-concluded Cricket Carnival still in the air, as evidenced by the presence of a fraction of the promised thousands of ardent cricket enthusiasts, to whom sweet Caribbean music is all part and parcel of the allure.

Seasoned campaigner that he is, Arturo ‘Toro the Bull’ George is not about to let a little thing like homesickness deter him from achieving his goal, for, as one of three former front-men of the now defunct ‘Elvis White’, the crossover group that helped catapult his native British Virgin Islands (BVI) to international fame, he knows only too well what it takes to be on top of one’s game in the cutthroat business of entertainment.

By the same token, he’s also comfortable with performing before huge, live audiences, having done so many times over in places like Belgium, France and Germany to name a few of the many countries the group had toured during its heyday back in the early to mid-2000s with other notable international acts like the legendary Fugees.

As for the two new compositions at reference, ‘Love can make you crazy’ and ‘Let’s Dance’, suffice it to say that they are both beginning to appeal to YouTube audiences that can relate to the nuances of Caribbean music, and are enjoying quality airtime as well as write-ups around Africa, where ‘Toro’ has managed to land himself a sweet little deal with popular Ugandan radio and television personality, DJ Bantam.

After listening to ‘Love can make you crazy’, one cannot help but conclude that the pull factor is no doubt in the haunting lyrics and catchy rhythm, as the subject matter is something that most people, young and old, can relate to, particularly where it says:
“…You’re missing me, I’m missing you, you’re always on my mind
Love can make you crazy, love can make you blind
And if you really care, boy, you can lose your mind. “

Then again, it may very well be that something about this number says it’s closer to home than ‘Toro’ might be letting on.

Whatever it is, the real draw, it would seem, is the accompanying video, as, shot entirely on Virgin Gorda, one of the 50-plus islands that make up the BVI, it features the azure blue skies and matching waters such destinations are famous for, as well as some elements of tropical vegetation and a smattering of flora, not to mention the proverbial white sandy beaches and sweltering sun.

As one YouTube viewer observed: “Really nice; I love the lyrics and the beat!!!Nice song!”

Another wrote: “OMG, beautiful video; sweet lyrics!” while yet another, a ‘Trini’by the sound of it, exclaimed: “No mamaguy; the tune nice!”

NO STRANGER TO GUYANA
Born and raised in the BVI, ‘Toro’, now 47, is no stranger to Guyana, having been coming here for the last 14 or so years to recruit skilled workers for his thriving construction business back home in the BVI.

“When I want top-of-the-line skills, Guyana is one of the places I come to source them,” he told the Buzz a few weeks ago while here to promote his music. Another place he goes is the Philippines.

By top-of-the-line, he means skilled tradesmen like carpenters and masons.

And, like his maternal grandfather, who’s Vincentian by birth, the father of two has also started a family here.

“That connection,” he said, “is what caused me to pay greater attention to what’s going on here, and to strategically align myself with the country. Guyana has great potential, in terms of another ten plus years of phenomenal growth…”

In order to take advantage of that development, he’s already had his company registered here.