IMIJ & CO.

Every so often a new band comes along, adding variety to the already colourful musical landscape of Trinidad and Tobago. Some merely melt into the existing mural, while a few supply it with fresh peaks. Imij & Co. fits snugly into the latter category. What Imij & Co. also does is bring into the picture a generous own slice of local music history, having as its genesis the super, successful Second Imij, which itself provided the industry with a reference position for more than nine years; before migration scuttled the group’s core.

Even as Second Imij shared stages with acts like Boys To Men, REO Speedwagon, Maxi Priest, Freddie Jackson, Aswad, MC Hammer and C&C Music Factory, the group also established itself as a formidable component of the Trinidad Carnival soundtrack, it’s legacy including unforgettable soca hits “Jump on the Count of Four”, “Na Na” and “Golo”, the song that earned it worldwide recognition.

The band toured extensively in the Caribbean region and became the mainstay of Jamaica’s Oakridge Carnival and a staple music supplier at the country’s annual Wet Fete. Internationally, Second Imij maintained an annual presence at Reggae Sunsplash, Sweden’s Water Festival, New York’s Apollo Theatre, The Ritz and was a fixture at Pirates Week in Grand Cayman. Second Imij was also resident band for Gil Figaro’s annual Sunshine Awards for calypso and pan.

The temptation to rekindle that sound and the effervescence of the group haunted band leader Joey Ng Wai. He eventually succumbed, albeit setting on a somewhat different direction, a move influenced in no small way by the accrual of some fine, fresh talent coupled with the need to maintain that dynamism for what Second Imij was famous. The result is Imij & Co., a seven member group dedicated to the celebration of indigenous music, but at no sacrifice to the band’s versatility.

Since it’s inception in March 2001, the band had played the Gamut of top-drawer night clubs in North and South Trinidad, the Angostura Regatta in Tobago (2001-2003) and won the Best Party Band on the road at Antigua’s Carnival.

In the band’s four years of existence, Imij & Co. has performed with international acts such as Enrique Iglesias, Usher, Glen Washington, Junior Kelly, Barrington Levy, C&C Music Factory, Rupee & Dot Com, Ray of Light, UB40 and Nina Sky; testimony to Imij & Co.’s versatility. They also won the “Best Playing Band Award” at the Miami Carnival and performed at the prestigious Billboard Live Club in South Beach Miami.

During 2003-2004 the band was on the road again doing shows in Jamaica, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Miami and Canada.

In 2004 the band made history as the image of Imij & Co. appeared on the Coca-Cola label. It was the first time a band from the Caribbean was featured on the Coca-Cola label.

The band consists of manager George Ng Wai, vocalists Michelle Xavier, Hilton Dalzell Jr. and Russell Cadogan, band leader and guitarist Joey Ng Wai, bassist Stephan Brijlal and drummer Roger Campbell.

Welcome then to Imij & Co., not just another manifestation of the tradition we have come to know and love but a fresh dimension to the musical force from which it is derived. The music has spoken for itself in clear tones, articulating the aspirations of the band members, all of whom are committed to making an intervention that will do more than merely promise to make a difference.