The Rounds - September 24, 2007

Good Evening Soca Lovers, I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds.
After all this time I been bringing you the rounds, I realize, I really don’t know that much about allyuh beautiful people that tune in each week. I know you love de Docta. I know you love de Soca Therapy. I know you MUST love me…ent?
That may be sounding like a whole lot of things to you….but I feel we just scratching the surface. Soca people, what do you BELIEVE in? THAT is what I want to know. This weekend is a very important one on the religious calendars of Jews and Muslims. Our Jewish Friends are ushering in a new year for Rosh hashana , while our muslim friends have begun fasting for Ramadan. What we believe effects everything we do…and everyone we come in contact with.
Down in Trinidad, several local celebrities are using their public clout to stand up for the rights of fellow citizens. Aluminum Giant, Alcoa wants to build a one-billion dollar smelter in Chatham Village, Point Fortin. The health implications for that community could be monumental. Many people forget that musicians, especially Caribbean musicians often use their talents to speak out on injustice. Remember 3canal? They sang songs like , "Talk Yuh Talk", "Revolution" and "Salt"…to criticize what they feel is inappropriate government behaviour. And we dance to dem riddims same way! I feel it must be a west Indian who came up with the phrase political PARTY!!! Because Dat is we ting!
Roger Roberts and Wendell Manwarren from 3canal sang to a group of 150 protestors this weekend to keep them fired up for their fight. Our music heros do so much more than just jumping and waving…and imagine what we could learn if we followed suit. A host of others stars are expected to lend their voices on behalf of their countrymen; including Destra, Shurwayne, Maximus, Kees, Soca Warrior Dwight Yorke and All-Star Cricketer Brian Lara.
You may not have remembered, but the entire Caribbean is standing together in Trinidad right now for Carifesta 9. The multinational cultural expo kicked off in a gala event at the Hasley Crawford Stadium with fireworks on Friday night. Living in Toronto, we are blessed to have the entire Caribbean living amongst each other every day. Although we are together, we are not always unified. So, Carifesta is allowing each nation to take some time to show off what it has to offer. Trinidads’ Prime Minister, Patrick Manning stressed that the Caribbean is rich in human diversity that goes beyond boundaries, with artforms all the world can relate to. He says the time has come to reap the rewards of our rich culture, taking it to the four corners of the world. And I could stand up for that.
Doctor Jay believes in that too….and he proves it every time he boards a plane with a book full of CDs. He’s a soca ambassador…taking the music far beyond Lord Shorty ever could have imagined.
Those of us who love soca music sure know how to have a good time. But while we’re having our fun, it’s important that we take ownership of what we create so that when the world finally catches on they’re falling in love with de real ting!
I can’t help noticing how much of the new music coming out for carnival sounds more like American R&B than pulsating soca. Buh what is dis ah really seeing here?
Our music is beautiful, just the way it is. If it wasn’t do you think MTV would have started an all Caribbean Network that pumps Reggae, Soca, Salsa, Merengue and Dancehall 24 Hours a day? Yeah babes, they have a station called Tempo that we don’t get in Canada as yet. It was initiated by the President of MTV Networks who happens to be from St. Kitts. Next week marks its first anniversary….and they’re throwing a big party to celebrate. On Thursday the secret location will be announced from St. Croix…and Denise Saucy Wow Belfon will be there to spread the news.
I love that…and maybe all yuh really need to know is what somebody loves to find out what it is they believe. I’m here because I believe in this music and the passion of the people who make it. Stand up soca people!
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 docta.


International Caribbean Music Festival















Miami- Where & When: Downtown Miami. Saturday, October 7th, 2006, 2PM – 11PM (Miami Carnival/ Columbus Day Weekend Lineup: Alison Hinds, Bunji Garlin, Jovi Rockwell, Machel Montano, Morgan Heritage, Red Rat, Rupee, Sizzla, Tami Chynn, Wayne Wonder and more.

The 8th Annual International Caribbean Music Festival (ICM Fest) previously known as the Caribbean Music Fest takes place October 7th, the Saturday before Miami Carnival making Columbus Day weekend irresistible to lovers of Caribbean music and culture everywhere.




Inspired during a visit to Trinidad’s infamous Carnival earlier this year the promoters decided on adding a wider range of Caribbean musical genres to a lineup that already featured popular reggae acts. Fans will now have the exceptional opportunity to see the prolific Sizzla who has been called “the most significant reggae artist since Bob Marley”, the dynamic reggaeton duo Wisin Y Yandel and Trinidadian soca favorite Machel Montano perform on the same show.

The event’s unique concept is best personified by the 3 time International Soca Monarch Champ Bunji Garlin who is also performing. Bunji is the undisputed leader of the ragga soca genre he helped to create. Ragga soca combines dancehall’s rap with soca’s infectious beat.

Wayne Wonder will perform from his extensive catalog of hits including “No Letting Go” the hit that helped him earn a Grammy nomination for his album of the same name. Super group Morgan Heritage will add a touch of roots reggae to the mix.

Barbados will be represented by Rupee who helped put soca on the World stage with his video and song “Tempted to Touch.” He will be joined fellow Bajan soca diva Alison Hinds also known as the Ragamuffin Queen. Hind’s “Roll It (girl)” has been flirting with airwaves all year and she is on the verge of becoming the first female soca artist to crossover into the pop market.

ICM Fest favorite Red Rat performs in his 7th consecutive appearance. Tami Chynn an exciting new artist continues the festival’s tradition of breaking new artistes. Jovi Rockwell, Rempage and Gailann are some of the many other artists completing the diverse lineup.

The promoters promise that “The International Caribbean Music Festival will be a one of a kind musical celebration of the Caribbean spirit.”