The Rounds - April 23, 2006

Dr. Jay’s Rounds
Karen Richardson
April 23, 2006
Good Evening Soca lovers! I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds.
Spring started a month back, but now I finally believe it. I’ve put away the big coat (for now), and I’m happy to see the sun has begun to wake up before I do.
So, I feel like it’s time I get allyuh ready for Summer. Yesterday our friends in Jamaica jumped and waved all over town for the Kingston Road Parade. Tonight is what they call the “Last Hurrah” and then it’s over for another year. Here in Toronto, it’s only the beginning. Toronto Carnival is scheduled to hit the Lakeshore with a bang over the August Long Weekend. So, if you pay attention, you’ll notice that the bands are launching…and the gyms will soon be packed with people like me who want to get their bodies ready for the revelry.
H20 Phlo released their second album last week and they’re hoping to gain the attention of international audiences with this one. But, there’s another soca group from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands that is already poised to take the music world by storm. Elvis White is a singer/songwriter whose talents were first recognized by the legendary Monserratian soca crooner Arrow. Elvis moved to VI, formed a band with his name and the rest as they say is history. The group is nominated for a Reggae and Soca Award. They just toured Europe with the Fugees. Yes Dahlin, by Fugees I do mean Lauryn, Pras and Wycleff. Their first North American release featuring Akon will hit the airwaves on May 16th.
Now, we all can name a soca artiste or two who has had their day in the sun with one hit song. And I can’t predict the future, so who knows what will happen for Elvis White. I can say, however, that the record company doesn’t appear to be sparing any expense. They’re working with producers who’ve made hits for Rupee, Kevin Lyttle, Nas and Michael Jackson. So, I’m wishing them all the best as soca music continues to climb to the big time.
In Montreal this week, soca music is climbing to the big SCREEN. Every year the Vues D’Afrique Festival celebrates the cultural contributions made by Africa and its Diaspora. This rounds the festival is screening a documentary out of Trinidad called “Calypso at Dirty Jim’s”. That name might strike a chord with some of the big people listening. Dirty Jim’s Swizzle Club in Port of Spain Trinidad was considered to be the most famous place in the world to see live Calypso. The club is gone now, but the film depicts interviews and performances with the greats who used to play there like Bomber, the Mighty Sparrow and Calypso Rose.
Nowadays the hottest place to hear soca music, is right here on FLOW 935. And your best source for the latest carnival news, is with me…right heh pon de roungds.
So, as the weather warms up and all-o-we does fix up we-selves for Caribana (or whatever dey go call it). Stay tuned for de latest.
If you’ve ever played mas’, you know that there are certain rules of the road well worth following as you chip behind de truck. Simple tings like why you shouldn’t pack curry to eat if you go be in de sun whole day. And why yuh hadda wear comfortable shoes. Doh be dotish ladies, if I catch allyuh jumping up in stilettos expect no pity from me.
Well, we have plenty time to prepare your Carnival survival kit, so check back with me between now and Caribana…and I’ll mek sure yuh ready ready ready!

I’m nurse Karen and those are Doctor Jay’s Rounds. Send your comments to Soca at FLOW 935 DOT COM. Now back to de doctor…