Eye Unit: Baby By Me - 50 cent ft. Neyo (Article One Remix)

Atlanta's Article One enjoys taking mainstream hits and giving them a soca spin.  I just found this on online today.  Thought you may appreciate it.. The riddim itself isn't gonna shut down any dances, but it has some potential for smooth music genre transitions, or building early vibes.  Or maybe it's just meant to entertain you for the next 3 and a half minutes.  You tell me!




Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

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Booster Shot: Tony Tempo added to DJ Whoo Kid's Shadyville Fraternity

The role of the DJ can not be overstated when it comes to the development and furtherance of a musical genre. That is why I often take time to feature DJs, particularly the ones who are pushing the envelope and taking the music to places it might have never otherwise travelled.

Such is the case for Atlanta-based soca DJ, Tony Tempo.

He was recently added to DJ Whoo Kid's Shadyville DJ Fraternity as its first ever Soca DJ.

Congrats Tony...

Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

Award-winner is First Soca DJ to Link-up with the Shadyville Endeavor

ATLANTA, Sept 17, 2009 – International sensation DJ Tony Tempo is the first Soca deejay to join the celebrated roster of mix masters for Shadyville Caribbean.

Shadyville Caribbean, an extension of DJ Whoo Kid’s international Shadyville DJ fraternity, promotes the integration of music from the region with music in mainstream markets is a As one of the world’s most recognized Soca music ambassadors, DJ Tony Tempo will bring his Soca mixes to expand the entertainment options offered by Shadyville Caribbean.

Wanna read more? Click HERE

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Booster Shot: Original Nu Vybes Band Member Passes Away

Morning Soca Lovers,

Apologies for starting out with bad news today. However, I wanted to take a moment to express my condolences to the family and friends of Analdo Williams. He was the original drummer and a lead vocalist from St. Kitts and Nevis' Nu Vybes Band. He played a big role on productions like "Sexy Julie" and the "Seducer" album, one of the first Kittitian band ablums ever released on compact disc.

According to reports, he passed away in Atlanta where he was residing early Sunday morning, possibly of a stroke. Williams was a husband and father of three.

We here at Nurse Karen Etc join with the Williams', the Nu Vybes families and all who are mourning the loss of this great musician.

Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

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DJ's View: LP on Carnival Explosion (Atlanta)

Soca PEOPLE!!!! Here's your last installment from LP of G13 Sound International. Gotta say thanks once again for working overtime to get (Nurse) Karen (Etc) exlusive reviews of the Atlanta Carnival action. I almost feel like I was there. (Almost y'all! But being there woulda been WAYYYYY better!)

From my point of view, of all the fetes, Carnival Explosion had the most hype leading into the weekend. I can wager a guess why. Check this line up: Destra and her Band, Fay Ann Lyons, Bunji Garlin, Benjai, Trini Jacobs and Ziggy Ranking!

Here's what LP had to say...

Saturday, May 23, 2009: Carnival Explosion

This fete was a bit further from downtown Atlanta than Memorial Drive, but the T&T posse as well as the soca faithful made the journey out to Decatur after a long day at the Festival Village. DJ Stan from St Lucia and DJ Soca Diva from Miami started the warm up nicely until Giselle De Wassi One took the control and brought out Ziggy Ranking and Trini Jacobs for live performances. Patch took the stage to his hit, "Rum & Roti," followed by Benjai who delivered his big tunes such as "Over & Over," "Drunk Again," and "By De Bar," which also led to a guest performance by Bunji Garlin.

Denise Belfon took the stage next, giving a big performance of her classics such as "Wine & Bend Over" as well as newer tunes like "Bicycle Wine" and "Licks".
The crowd was now hype for the current road march and soca monarch queen Fay Ann Lyons. Fay Ann took the stage and delivered hit after hit, keeping the crowd running the entire time, ultimately ending in the 2009 T&T Road March, "Meet Superblue".

The crowd then waited for about an hour before Destra Garcia and her band took the stage at roughly 5:30am. Always worth the wait, Destra proceeded to deliver hit after hit such as "Bacchanal," "Jumpin," "We Say So," "Max It Up," "Bonnie N' Clyde," and "Fly", until unfortunately the owners of the venue shut the party down at about 6am. All in, the crowd seemed to enjoy the jam and still weren't ready to go home! Big up DJ Tony Tempo for really holding the event together from start to finish.

I was able to get great video of the first three Destra songs and upload it to youtube, check it out!

Whoa LP! Too bad it took them so long to set up. I mean, you can't get vex with a venue for shutting down at 6 am. But, when the last act not starting till 5:30, I feel that's something the promoter could have organized a little better. Just saying....

Thanks again for fixing us up with your on the scene account of your weekend in Atlanta. Hope you had the best time!

If you missed LP's earlier rundowns of the soca climate in Atlanta, click them below!

ACCBA Parade of the Bands
J'Ouvert Party by Krushmore Entertainment

If you enjoyed getting 411 from ATL, hit up LP on MySpace. Be sure to tell him I sent you!


Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

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DJ's View: ACCBA Atlanta Caribbean Carnival Parade of the Bands

Saturday, May 22, 2009

Soca Lovers!  Here's dose number two from LP.  We taking a jump.  Read on for action from de road, Atlanta style:

Hi Karen,

Of the three separate Caribbean events taking place over Memorial Day weekend in Atlanta, the Atlanta Caribbean Carnival Bandleaders Association (ACCBA) event is the original and it never disappoints. Masqueraders lined up on West Peachtree St, and just shortly after noontime began their mas through downtown Atlanta.

Compared to other Carnival bands in many diasporas, the bands are slightly smaller than that of an average Toronto Caribana or Brooklyn Labor Day band, but they still bring a lot of energy and island pride.  

• In terms of energy, the Infusion t-shirt band was getting on bad all through downtown all the way to the festival village. 
• In terms of presentation, We Kinda Ting had the best display of costume mas, with a few sections of revellers followed by a t-shirt band as well.
  

By the time the bands reached Auburn Ave, the festival village was full of eager people ready to have a good time. As soon as the bands crossed the stage, however, the Carnival Village experienced a slight show delay due to inclement weather. As soon as the rain cleared about 20 minutes later, the event picked right back up where it left off. Various sound systems playing classic soca jams, and bands such as Impack2 (Brooklyn, NY) and Caribbean Music Farm (Miami, FL) delivering covers of current soca hits.

Soon after, the small island heavy bands WCK and Nu-Vybes band set the crowd into a frenzy with their signature sounds. Burning Flames, as always took the stage next and had the crowd of thousands singing along to every song and putting everything in the air. The event then finished with a huge Trinidad & Tobago showcase, featuring Ziggy Ranking, Trini Jacobs, Denise Belfon, Patch and Destra Garcia.

Watch Caribbean People!

Looks like a great parade. I hope you enjoyed yourself LP! Whey de dirt man? You meet a smallie? Wine up yourself? I guess we'll never know!

Photos and review courtesy of LP of G13 International

Thanks again, Dahlin!

Nurse Karen

P.S.  If you missed LP's blog about the Carnival J'ouvert Party, check the post HERE.  Next dose,  LP's review from the showcase at the end of the parade! Stay tuned...

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The Rounds: Memorial Day long weekend soca round up

In this Edition:

• Memorial Day Long weekend soca events in the US- Rupee, Machel and Destra
• Carnivals: San Franciso, Orlando, Atlanta
• LIFELINE Concert for Sheldon Benjamin (Trinidad)
• Happy Birthday Mr. Slaughter

Good Evening Soca Lovers, I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. With weather like this, don’t you just feel like jumping up? Well you’re not alone! A whole slew of Caribbean based soca acts made their way to the United States this weekend for endless soca action. Rupee and the Request Band got up close and person with fans in Manhattan with a big show at SOB’s on Thursday. Then it was off to Queens on Saturday for a fete at Mangoville. 

Today (Sunday), Machel is in California at the UCLA Jazz Reggae Festival, while Destra and her big band will be the only soca act amidst all the reggae riddims rocking Miami this evening for Best of the Best.

Machel and Nurse Karen (Miami 2008)

For the die hard soca massive in the US of A, there are a handful of great carnivals keeping the Caribbean spirit alive this weekend. So gotta big up Orlando, San Fran, and Atlanta! 

In 21 years of Atlanta Carnival, I’m told that one of its most unique characteristics is that you simple can not ignore the influence of some of the smaller islands. I hear that St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica and the VI crew ruled J’ouvert hands down!!

Down in Trinidad, friends and loved one of music producer Sheldon Benjamin are hard at work preparing a benefit concert for the ailing musician. A few weeks ago I mentioned that Sheldon is depending on YOUR good vibes to recover from cancer (Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma). Since my first report, I’m told that his spirits are up. He’s also been blessed to be visited in hospital by several of his closest friends in the soca business. The one thing about tough times is that they bring good people together. So, here’s the latest...an All-star fundraiser called LIFELINE has been planned to raise money for Sheldon’s mounting medical costs. 

The event will feature performances by Alison Hinds, Destra, Machel and more at Trinidad’s Zen Nightclub on June 7th. If you want to donate cash, but can’t make it to the big event, an account has been set up to accept donations. For more information check out the Nurse Karen Etc blog, or join the Sheldon Benjamin Facebook Group. We can fight this together!

Mr. Slaughter and Nurse Karen (Trinidad 2008)

Before I go, I must send a send Happy Birthday Big UP to Mr. Derek Perreira aka Dawg E Slaughter. He will be celebrating 33 years on earth this Thursday!

I’m Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. For more information on these items, and anything else that matter in the world of soca. Check out the Nurse Karen Etc blog at Nurse dash Karen dot com. Now, back to de docta!

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DJ's View: G13's LP on the 5th Annual Atlanta Carnival J'ouvert Party

Denise "Saucy Wow" Belfon at the J'Ouvert Party

Special treat soca freaks!  So, you know your girl was REAL looking forward to going to Atlanta for carnival this year.  It didn't work out.  Which happens to me A LITTLE TOO OFTEN for my liking!  What can I say?!!? News must share.  So, I pulled a few strings to get an on-the-ground account of the action from DJ LP from New York's G13 Sound System.  If your memory is short, you know him as the sound boy who gave you that too sweet Free Download Mad Decent Power Soca Mix earlier this year.  If you didn't get it before, handle that!  Yuh stickin'....

So, back to the point.  Atlanta Carnival is now.  LP is there - feting like a fiend.  Enjoying his long weekend!...and I here in Toronto doing my regular Sunday Soca Therapy thang!  So, you wanna know the vibes in ATL, right?  Who better to tell ya than a DJ who LOVEs soca?  He's on de scene... ( I hear de man link up to snap pics for Toronto-Lime too, busy guy!)

The man is a boss.  He gave me updates and pics from several events.  So, like a good nurse, lemme give you in small doses.  One today, another tomorrow.  Following? First up....J'OUVERT!!!!

LP, tell the people....

Friday, May 22, 2009

Hi Karen,

Hope all is well in TO.  Here's my rundown...

Although there were a few Wednesday and Thursday fetes, this is well known as the official launch for the weekend.  I reached Atrium on Memorial Drive around midnight. I was still early, but the vibes were flowing nicely as they do at Krushmore Entertainment events.  The soca room started to fill up around 12:30 a.m. and the crowd was treated to a very good mix of new and old classics from various islands care of Optimisque from Dominica, DJ Hottness from Atlanta by way of Guyana, DJ Kevy Kev from Orlando by way of St Kitts & Nevis, and ATL's #1 soca DJ Tony Tempo.  

Tony Tempo and Giselle De Wassi One

Atlanta is very well known for its small island massive, and of course the VI, SKN, and Dominica massive were front and center the entire night, supporting a lot of new USVI and SKN soca from bands such as UMB Soldiers, WCK, Small Axe Band, and Nu-Vybes band, selected by DJ Kevy Kev 

After the small island session, DJ Tony Tempo and Giselle Di Wassi One took full control for the rest of the night with 100% soca, including performances from Ziggy Ranking and Denise Belfon.  By the time the party was over, there were only a few hours until masqueraders were to line up along West Peachtree Street for the parade.

Ziggy Ranking at J'ouvert Party

Sounds like a nice session!!  Thanks for the review LP!  Next up : The Atlanta Caribbean Carnival Bandleaders Association Parade of the Bands.  Check for the post in the morning!

Love and Soca, 

Nurse Karen

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Booster Shot: Understanding Atlanta Carnival,

Ever since I announced that I would be attending Atlanta Carnival this year, I have been flooded with questions as to what to check out.  Here's what sucks, things got real iffy.  All of sudden the carnival is one week away...and I'm getting the impression I won't be out there to celebrate with ya.  The official word is RECESSION, but I'm not gonna let THAT stop me from answering YOUR questions.  Big up Tony Tempo and G13 for trying to keep me in the loop.  Truss me, if by some act of God I make it down there, I would check you all for sure!

First things first.  There are two different events that refer to themselves as Atlanta Carnival.  First you have the one the Caribbean Festival Village "Atlanta Carnival", held in downtown Atlanta at 695 North Avenue.

It's separate from the ACCBA Atlanta Carnival, a two-hour road parade that ends in a big outdoor show.

There's also, "Georgia Carnival" which happens in neighbouring Dekalb County.  All three take place during US Memorial Day Weekend, May 23rd and 24th.

In 2009, Atlanta Carnival.net refers to:

-  a two day street festival infused with music, food and cultural exhibitions.

- workshops highlighting the steel drum, costume making and soca performance

- live performances from a stellar cast:

KMC 
Iwer George
Skinny Fabulous 
Peter Ram 
Zoelah 
Patch 
Jamesy P 
David Rudder

Superblue
The Mighty Shadow
Hunter (Dominica)
Red Hot Flames

Jadine

Jam Tyme 
D Soca Unit 

There is NO masquerade road parade at this event

Atlanta Carnival dot org offers the following:

May 2nd, 2009 – Queen / Princess Pageant

May 9th, 2009 –  Pan in the City
May 16th, 2009 – Children's Carnival
May 21st, 2009 – King /Queen Competition

The main event would be the short road parade followed by this crazy line-up:

Destra 

Burning Flames 
Rudy
WCK
Trini Jacobs
Benjai

Ziggy Ranking...and others       Alternatively there is Georgia Carnival:

This main event here is the road parade which happens on Saturday 23rd May.  But there's other cool stuff too.  

May 16th, 2009 – Kiddies Carnival - “A Family Affair”

May 21st, 2009 – Ole MAS Competition
May 22nd, 2009 – Smokey and Bunty Lime

May 23rd, 2009 – Parade of Bands - “On de Road Again”
May 24th, 2009 – Soccer Tournament

I had to laugh when I checked out the Georgia Carnival website.  In the MEDIA section of their website, I bumped into MY YouTube Video from Trinidad Carnvial 2008!  (Not sure who thanking me, but you're welcome anyway!)

Just like any other carnival event, there are LOTS of private events going on in the area, with their own scheduled entertainment.  You can see a pretty up-to-date list 

HERE. To the average person, it doesn't matter who is organizing what.  My advice would be to check out all the listings and take advantage of so many options to see such an amazing variety of Caribbean entertainers on American soil.  

I'm sure you'll have a great time!!! But, if you do head to the dirty south for carnival....PLEASE....let me know how it was.  Leave your reviews HERE for a chance to get your words published right here on (Nurse) Karen (Etc)!

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Digest: Amazing April

(Nurse) Karen (Digest): Amazing April!

Happy Easter! Wishing you and yours all the blessings of this exciting time of year, pluse all the great food that goes along with it!

Random Newness: This month Florida’s DJ Crown Prince makes his debut as a Soca Artist. His first song “The Anthem” featuring Skinny Fabulous was recorded on “The Nurse Karen Riddim”, produced by Afterdark. Get it Free & all your fave hits from Trini Carnival on Supa Soca Vol 12: http://mustardseedmedia.blogspot.com/2009/04/free-download-crown-prince-supa-soca.html


Journalism: Nurse Karen is psyched about finally meeting a few industry peeps she’s been watching for a while now. This month, she’ll be interviewing Montreal electro DJ Ghislain Poirier whose revolutionary mixes are bringing soca music to the mainstream dance scene. She’s also looking forward to sitting down with Grenada’s Brother B about his plans for Spice Mas 2009. If you follow her on twitter, you’ll be notified as soon as the articles are posted! http://twitter.com/nursekaren

Travel: As we mentioned last month, Karen’s taking care of business at home for a little while. However, she’s coordinating arrangements to cover Atlanta Carnival in May. If you’re looking for an affordable cultural getaway, why not come along? http://www.atlantacarnival.net

Poetry: Good news and bad news. Good news first! Karen will be performing a spoken word set at the album launch of “Pleasure in Pain by Devon “The Split” Jones, on April 27th in Toronto. Wanna reach?

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?sid=d3badc5a64b1972cb50446f6d0e91597&eid=68915791729&ref=search

Bad news... After performing poetry locally and internationally for half of her life, Karen finally applied for a government grant to record her own spoken word album, featuring original music by some of the Caribbean’s top soca producers. Sad to say, she didn’t get the money! There will be an album though. Stay tuned! Learn more about Karen’s work as a writer in this clip from her interview on Island Style TV:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrZW0nsB2UQ

Community: Thanks to Corey Graham 2.0 in Barbados, there’s an easier way to tell MySpace why you think they need a soca category. All you have to do is visit the link below, fill out the form and click send. Do it now! http://www.coreykgraham.com/socanow

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The Rounds: Byron Lee swaps in Chemo for Carnival

Good Evening Soca Lovers!

I'm Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay's rounds. Spring is definitely here. So carnival is blossoming all over this great continent…and beyond.

It all started last month when Byron Lee, who happens to be suffering from cancer, couldn't keep himself away from the 20th anniversary of Jamaica Carnival. The 73-year-old musician was in the middle of Chemo therapy when he climbed atop the big truck for some old time Tiney Winey with his band. On Friday, he finally returned to Miami for treatment.

May is gonna be a very festive season right here in Toronto with big time events like Gyal Farm, and the first ever 2-day long Soca or Die. But don't think we're the only ones pumping the soca. The rest of North America is joining right in.

More news from the International Reggae and World Music Awards: Montserrat's stunningly beautiful Jadine will sing and D Life from New York's Hot 97 will be offering a special LIVE soca mixdown for the crowd at the Apollo on May 4th. By The Way, Alison Hinds was also blessed with a nomination .

You think Trinidad is the only land of Oil and Music? Next weekend, Fiesta San Antonio begins. It's a 10-day multicultural carnival that's enjoying a little more Caribbean influence now that West Indians are flocking to Texas for oil jobs. It's touted to be one of of America's Largest festivals.

No doubt, America's largest festival WEEKEND has got to be the Memorial Day long weekend at the end of May. It plays host to Carnivals in Orlando, Atlanta, and San Francisco. Stay tuned to the Rounds for the highlights of each. With all those carnivals happening next month, Kes the Band is most excited to be performing in Los Angeles next month at the infamous Temple Bar. What can I say? big tings fuh we music!

Back in the Caribbean, St. Thomas ,Virgin Islands is ready for mas again. One of the biggest events on their calendar will happen on April 23rd at the Reichhold Centre for the Arts. Machel Montano and Xtatik will join VI based bands; Jam Tyme and the Bouncers Band for the annual J'ouvert Warm up. Jam Tyme has two new tracks for 2008 in "Champions" and "Jamming on the Road." And the Bouncers have already started to move the crowds with a chune called "Skip n Dip."

Over on another so-called Virgin Island, there's a producer by the name of Alton Bertie. You first heard me mention him months ago when I let you in on Shurwayne's big groovy tune for 2008. Bertie produced it after meeting Mr. Winchester in a Puerto Rico airport. And this weekend, the Tortola-based producer had to fly into the Trinidad airport to receive an award for Carnival Please Stay...the production that went on to win the 2008 Trinidad Groovy Soca Monarch title.

I'm Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay's Rounds. Your comments are always welcome. So check out the Nurse Karen Etc blog online at triple http://www.mustardseeds.net/. Now back to de Docta!

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The Rounds - May 5, 2007

Good Evening Soca Lovers,

I’m nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds.
It’s been pure CRAZINESS in the world of soca this week, if you ask me. Let me fill you in.
So on Monday, Machel returned to TNT from the Brian Lara farewell party in Barbados. It was finally time to face the press. Last week, if you remember, I told you about some High Definition blows licking out at Zen night club after Winerboy refused dance with a patron when “All dat she wanted was one wine from He”. He says, and I quote: "Firstly I did not burn anyone. Secondly I did not slap anyone. I did not hit anyone with a glass or a cup and definitely I did not knock out anybody." Maybe so, but atleast now we know what the rumours are -- BRAPS!!
Akon, still tekking licks after his indiscretion at Zen a week earlier. Thanks to his caught-on-tape lude conduct on stage with an underage girl, that CONvict is paying in a BIG way. U.S. telecommunications giant, Verizon just pulled the plug on a partnership with Akon, which means they will no longer be sponsoring the Gwen Stefani tour. Akon was supposed to be the opening act. I bet that will make him think twice before giving any young girls a free RIDE to Africa.
Trinidad’s Lyrics King is getting set to release his next album on the VP records label. “Global” will drop on May 22nd, and Bunji Garlin will be in New York from May 13th – 20th, promoting it. In between radio interviews, release parties and in-store appearances, Bunji will make a little time to shoot a video for a song call “Brrt.” at Club TNY and the Riddim Driven Showcase Room in Manhattan.
St. Vincent’s own Bomani, is also in New York putting the finishing touches on his debut album, DEEP, which is set to release in June. The album promises to catalogue his old favourites like Booty Call, Wet and I Am Soca, while giving listeners some new favourites as well. The album will be available through iTunes.
Back in the jewels of the Caribbean, Vincy Mas 2007 was officially lauched yesterday. To commemorate the event, yours truly booked a plane ticket to join in the fun.
Down in Grand Cayman, Batabano carnival came to a climactic CLOSE yesterday. Atlanta’s heats up in three weeks. And in St. Kitts they will be celebrating the Worker’s Day holiday tomorrow with a huge Soca Clash.
Right here at home, if you’re eager for Carnival. We won’t make you wait too long. The 40th anniversary of Caribana is just around the corner. If you want to play mas, check out the band launching. Starting now, they comin’ fast and furious. Next Saturday, Tribal Knights and Jamaal Magloire will be displaying their colours for all to see. Check your favourite online soca news source for details
I’m Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Send me your comments at Soca at FLOW 935 dot com. Now, back to de docta!

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