The Rounds - April 15, 2007

Good Evening Soca Lovers,
I’m nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds.
After last week’s Big People Special Edition of Soca therapy, I have been digging deep in the dark vinyl crates of Calypso I grew up on. Jewels, ah tell you. We music sweet, and is not just Caribbean people who think so, you know.
People from all over the world have fallen in love with sweet calypso music and desire to share it just as soon as they do. That was happening at the ReelWorld film festival this weekend when “Calypso at Dirty Jim’s” was finally screened in Toronto. If you remember, I first told you about this when it was screened in Trinidad and then again when it played at Montreal’s Vues D’Afrique Festival. Dirty Jim’s Swizzle club was a legendary Calypso venue, and Cameroonian filmmaker Pascale Obolo found a way to make its memories last forever.
Last week Thursday was all about Calypso on film too. The Caribbean Studies program at U of T brought “Calypso Dreams” to Canada. It’s a 90-minute documentary directed by American filmmakers Geoffrey Dunn and Michael Horne. It stars The Mighty Sparrow, David Rudder, Calypso Rose, and Crazy and Scrunter and so many more…and if you missed it – it’s gone. No to fear, in August the film will be screened again at the Harbourfront Centre in a show that will feature Lord Superior, Brother Valentino and Singing Sandra.
Thankfully, filmmakers in the Caribbean are making movies too. I’m told, the Bridgetown Film Festival will kick off in Barbados from April 28th, to May 6th. 2007 will be the second year ever, and it’s grown so much already. Last year, all of the feature-length movies just happened to be produced by members of the organizing film group. This year, they steppin’ up. Entries came in from Antigua, St. Lucia, Grenada, Guyana, Trinidad and Jamaica.
On Friday, the Mighty Sparrow he-self was fighting for HIS music on the political plain. He paid a visit to Mayor Kenneth Ferguson and the San Fernando City Council. He’s wants to reform the way that calypso competitions are judged.
Another Trini living legend just got news he’ll be co-hosting the 26th annual Reggae and World Music Awards. On May 5th, Machel Montano and Doug E Fresh will be sharing the stage at Harlem’s Apollo Theatre. If anyone has tickets to THIS show, gih de nurse a call. Oprah and Bono will be receiving humanitarian awards that night…and just like our music, the list of nominees is legendary.
I’m nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Please send your comments to SOCA @ FLOW 935 dot com. Now, back to de docta.



Machel Montano
T&T’s Soca sensation Machel Montano and hip hop pioneer Doug E. Fresh will host the 26th International Reggae & World Music Awards (IRAWMA) at the world famous Apollo Theater on Saturday, May 5th.


Also hosts and performing nominees for the night are Doug E. Fresh, Machel Montano, Luciano, Macka Diamond, Ce’Cile, Lady G, Gregory Isaacs, Tarrus Riley, Leon & The Peoples, Half Pint, B.B. Seaton & the Gaylads, Tony Matterhorn, Alaine, Dean Fraser, Gyptian, Da’Ville, Ruff Stuff, Katalys Crew, Mutabaruka, Ed Robinson, Winsome Benjamin, among others.

The official announcement of the nominees was released during recent press conference held at the world-famous Apollo Theater in New York by Martin’s International and Associates.


More than 150 entertainers and music industry professionals are nominated for the coveted IRAWMA, while others have been selected for special awards by music industry experts across the globe. Among the leading nominees are: Sean Paul and Buju Banton with nine (9) nominations each; Baby Cham six (6); Gyptian, Tanya Stephens and sound selector turned performer Tony Matterhorn with five (5) each; and Luciano four nods.


Oprah Winfrey and International Pop/Rock Star Bono will be given the Marcus Garvey Humanitarian Award. Inductees to the IRAWMA Hall of Fame will be Boris Gardner and B.B. Seaton & the Gaylads.

Special Martin’s International and Associates Award of Honor will be given to:
Edmond “Bunny” Lee (King Jammy’s), Ed Robinson (E2 Recordings) and Don One Records. Special Producer’s Respect Award will be given to: Doug E. Fresh, Gregory Isaacs and Half Pint. Special Award of Appreciation will be awarded to: Winston “Niney” Holiness, Jerome Hamilton, WBLS 107.5 FM with Dahved Levy, Lorna Wainwright (Tuff Gong), Bobby (Culture Jam WVIP 93.5FM), and Dave Clark (Friends of Reggae).

Bacchanal season turns into home stretch
Friday, April 13, 2007

With four days until the climactic road march on Sunday, Bacchanal Jamaica is coming to an end for 2007, but this will be preceded, as customary, by the Bacchanal J'ouvert.
With the success of last weekend's Beach J'ouvert still fresh in the minds of many, attention is now being focussed on the final round of fetes leading into tonight's Bacchanal J'ouvert at the Mas Camp on Oxford. Bacchanal J'ouvert, with the theme Jonkanoo Jams, is presented in partnership with Coca -Cola DJ Switch from Trinidad and DJ Omar from 'resident' disco Sparkles will be providing the musical selections while Destra and her band Atlantik return to hold down the live end of the night and put revellers in a soca march mode.
The party starts at 10:00 pm and continues til morning. During that time, it will move to the streets, where revelers dance, sing and get painted til the wee hours of the morning.
Then the highly anticipated road parade,with performances by various local and international artistes. The road will be filled with beautiful colours, great music and happy people celebrating together. The Parade starts at 10:15am and ends around 6:30pm at the Mas Camp.
Of special note, the organisers say, is that there will be no after-fete at the Mas Camp this year. The Mas Camp will close at 8:00 pm after a brief cool-down period.