Album Notes

About Xpress Band

The X-Press Band is an extremely versatile group that has performed for over two decades throughout the United States, Canada, South America, West Africa and the Caribbean. Organized in 1985 in Brooklyn, New York, the five core members of the band are Al Baptiste, Sr., on keyboards; Patrick "P.O." Edwards, lead vocalist and guitarist; Dean Baptiste, lead vocals and bass; Toby Derima on drums; with Pat Ragguette on lead and background vocals. X-Press Band's repertoire is quite extensive and includes Soca, Reggae, Jazz and R&B., but the band's primary genre is Calypso. More than 90% of the music recorded by the band are original songs, written by its members. In 1985 the group released its first single with the songs Sugar Candy and Leroy. The X-Press Band albums and CDs are: "FLASHLIGHT" (1988); "SURFACE" (1989); "HARD CARD" (1990); "WITH A DIFFERENCE" (1991); "IN A BIG WAY" (1992); "ON TRACK" (1993); "IN YOUR FACE" (1994); "LEGAL BACCHANAL" (1995); "NAR EASE UP" (1996); "TOP MAN" (1997); "STRAIGHT UP" (1998); "WORK OF ART" (1999); "THE NEXT LEVEL" (2000); "TOTAL PACKAGE" (2001); "JAM DE DANCE HALL" and "CHRISTMAS WITH XPRESS" (2002); "IN THE SPOTLIGHT" (2003); "ONE BAND, ONE SOUND" (2004); "XPRESS UR SELF" (2005) and "SHOW DEM" (2006). With over nineteen albums to their credits, X-Press Band has received widespread recognition and awards for their work. A Sunshine Award nominee, this band has also been awarded the Daily News' "Best of the Virgin Islands" award for five consecutive years. Add to their credits the V.I. Music Awards for Band of the Year, Best Calypso Album, Best Song by a Band and V.I. Brass-O-Rama Champions for 1997, 1999 and 2000; the X-Press Band truly exemplifies the term "music ambassadors." Revered mostly for their pulsating, hip-jerking calypso renditions, the X-Press Band has performed alongside entertainers such as Third World, The Mighty Sparrow, Burning Flames, and Andy Narrell, just to name a few. St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands is home to the X-Press Band as they continue to excel, building a legacy full of great music.