Booster Shot: Saturday liming at Maracas Bay

What a day! I didn't sleep long today in spite of the hours I'm keeping. Have to thank my partner Issues from London for insisting on ringing me rediculously early everyday. I'm happy for it, because we had lots to do.



For me, reaching the beach is essential anytime I touch down in the Caribbean. Understand, I'm liming with a Vincy who has a beach 20 paces from her front door...and a Trini who doesn't DO the beach in T&T...but I live in Canada. If I must remind you - it is Febuary...and me moomie say, yesterday was one wack-shus snow storm. So, ah going beach before I get back on that plane. I don't self care if the undertoe could drown a mermaid. We going, going, gone.



Maracas Bay is a beautiful stretch of whitish sand on some murky looking rough waters. For all the Trini's who have never visited other beaches in the Caribbean, please be advised. You might want to check out Accra Beach in Barbados, beautiful Grand Anse in Grenada, or very sexy Princess Margaret Beach in Bequia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Those are some of my faves. But you know what Maracas has that the rest of them don't? Bake and Shark! I love me some Trini food....even if inflation have the price nearly double what I paid last time. Thanks for the two big chunks of fish...and the uber greasy bake. I would cherish it forever.



I took a very short dip in the sea before realizing my swimming skills are no competition for violent waves. So, I joined the rest of the crew on the shore. My Posse, Dem Boyz and another Karen. She was cute, so I don't mind. I got eye witness accounts of the "robbery" that took place at soca monarch last night. Old talking over the sound of the waves was such a sweet repose from the Carnival madness. Mauby and Johnny Walker Black...try it. Darkness fell, and the temperature dropped too. The vendors closed up their stalls and music in the distance beckoned us back to the lights of the city.


I'm Nurse Karen and that's your Booster Shot. The night continues at Dawn...catch you when I come back!

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Booster Shot: Carnival Thursday Goose Chase

Well ah back in sweet t&t for the first time in mussee 4 years. Guess what, de place still hot, lively and beautiful. No better time to enjoy the richness Trinidad has to offer than at Carnival. I reached in last evening..tired after a work week that I'd rather forget. Lucky for me, now that I'm here one all inclusive fete later, I do forget....and ah real glad fo dat. So de lime was by one my best girls in Champs Fleurs. Chatting till late, planning de wardrobe for de season, organizing phones and tickets and food. You know how we do...and now it's Thursday. The plan was Beach House, a daytime all-inclusive in Maracas.



I met up in Cascade with de fellas from Dem Boyz and Dem. You know those nutty clowns from Brooklyn who gutsy enough to go and tief de name Doh Cry Ah Leavin' for their pre-carnival fete? Yeah, dem boys. They hired a maxi...and well rolled out. First, it was late. Then the geniuses had the wrong information about de fete. So we went past Maracas Bay, past Las Cuevas, up to Blanchisseuse...or some kinda sumting like dat. We passed over a bridge so rickety and small that it was rocking to and fro from the weight of the van. These boys are serious Faye-Ann fans. So, when "Get-On" came on the stereo is was bacchanal for so. So mad, in fact that the tweeters completely blew out. Next is was time for extempo over de subwoofer. Sounding good right? All was well until we reach a road that wasn't a road. Nothing but mud and potholes. Ask de one who nearly lose he shoes in the sludge.



Bright! That's when we realised "yuh know, i don't find there's much traffic going this way, eh?" Righto. Children...we were completely lost. And about an hour and a half from the place we were meant to be! Finally...we headed in the direction of BEACH HOUSE. Only 15 minutes from where I'm staying in St. Joseph's/Maracas. Steups, yes! Well after a set of pressure to get fixed up with tickets and ting, we got in. I bounce up a set of de Toronto crew...and then it was time to eat..and drink...and wine!



Several thumbs up. Mine and de crew. For me one highlight was seeing one of my favourite novelists, Earl Lovelace. I met him once in St. Vincent. Back then I was working for the Vincentian Newspaper and I had to cover a lecture he was giving there. He was liming in de rain, still looking healthy and wise. Man, I really respect that man.


Tonight the action is at Tribe all-inclusive. Lucky for me, I'm going with the girls...and we know exactly where to find it. So...it go be real nice! I'm Nurse Karen, and that's your Booster Shot!

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The Rounds - January 28, 2007

Good Evening Soca Lovers! I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s rounds.

It’s been a fun week in the world of soca music, let ME tell YOU. With several islands throughout the Caribbean preparing for carnival, there’s no shortage of great new music…and a healthy dose of competition to keep the quality at its best.

Down in Martinique it’s all about mizik veeday. That’s quite literally the music of mas. For those of us more familiar with the music of the English Caribbean, the best way to describe it…,is Super fast zouk - filled with sexually charged lyrics, kinda like soca, but all sung in Creole.

Dominica’s carnival is now in full swing too. Mas Domnik is touted as the most orginial carnival in the Caribbean celebrating Soca, Zouk and Bouyon. It also gives special attention to the islands indigenous carib people.

Guyana’s soca monarch contenders are vying for the chance to steal the crown right off Adrian Dutchin’s head…but not if I have anything to say about Dat!

More news from the Mastamind camp. Music man Shawn Noel just announced that he’s doing his part to bring soca to a broader audience. Now, fans of the various Mastamind projects will be able to purchase their favourite songs from itunes. And If you’ve ever searched itunes for soca - you’ll know it’s long overdue. Until now, the most you could get is…the SOCA THERAPY podcast. Not that I complaining….but I’m happy to see something that will put some money directly in the pockets of Caribbean artists.

Speaking of the soca audience…a popular Caribbean web community will soon be the subject of a song by Problem Child. This past week a discussion about the new song by Kevin Lyttle and Problem Child, turned ugly. One poster decided to get personal making comments about the artist and his sister. Sources say Problem Child is fighting fire with the fire he knows best. He’s already been in studio recording a tune making reference to certain commess loving forum posters using their screenames. So allyuh who love gossip...let that be a lesson to yuh.

Woy…like I said, this week is pure kicks. Allyuh know that I enjoy working with the doctor…but not just that, I respect the man as a person. Lots of people respect him, yes…and I mean everywhere. They damn well just wan’ be de man. The longer I bring you the rounds, the more I realize it. In 2005, it was a radio show in St. Kitts with a segment called Pan Moments. In 2006, it was a radio show in Antigua called Soca Therapy. In 2007, they’re taking it out the studio and into the dancehall...and its getting closer to home. A group of promoters in Brooklyn New York are in the midst of organizing a fete called “Doh Cry Ah Leaving”…and it’s not even the first time. I thought that was funny enough in itself…but what was even madder is that one of Dem Boys and Dem messaged me on MySpace asking me if Dr. Jay would mind if I post his bootleg flyer on MY PAGE!!!! Cheeez!

I’m nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Please send your comments to soca at flow 935 dot com. Now back to de doctor.

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