The Rounds: RIP Almanac, etc...

Ok Allyuh, I have good news and bad news. Bad news first: I didn't report anything whatsoever about Anya Ayoung-Chee, because her recent sex tape (miniseries) buzz has NOTHING to do with soca or carnival. (If you don't know who I'm talking about...don't worry about it.) Good news: The Rounds are posted below! Carry on...

The Rounds: Originally aired on Flow 93.5 FM in Toronto "Soca Therapy" on Sunday, November 8, 2009

In this edition:
- Soca or Die 10 a success (Canada)
- Destra's Birthday (Trinidad and Tobago)
- Synergy TV Soca Star 5 starts this week (Trinidad and Tobago)
- RIP Alamanac (Trinidad)
- HD bus driver shot (Trinidad and Tobago)

Good Evening Soca Lovers,
I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Well, Toronto he’s done it again. Last night SOCA or DIE 10 proved, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that this city is the international Soca mecca, when thousands of you packed kool haus to see a show with surprise cast! Wow, allyuh must really trust Dr. Jay. Well you definitely had good reason to. Soca or Die 10 delivered the goods with Grenadian soca fave Tallpree, Vincy bad boy Problem Child and Bajan General Edwin Yearwood putting on amazingly strong performances.

Surprise birthday cupcake Cake for the celebrating Scorpios and guests!

To all the Scorpios who were celebrating last night, Happy Birthday!!! Thanks for making our birthdays memorable too. One soca Scorpio who you won’t catch in a fete anytime soon will be turning 32 on Tuesday. Destra Garcia is taking it easy as she awaits the January arrival of her first child. She might as well get some rest now, since the plan is to reappear post bebe late in the Carnival season.

These days, I seem to be talking a whole lot about WHEN soca stars are born. But do you ever wonder HOW? Well Fireball and Umi Marcano got their chance at stardom thanks to a Trinidad based idol-style singing competition called Synergy Soca Star. In the past 4 seasons of the TV show, other winners have been Blue, O.G and Chinee. Well Season 5 is about to get underway on Wednesday, November 11th, and SupaJigga TC will be back at the host. Then, just a few days later on Saturday, the brand new crop of 15 finalists will dive headlong into the real deal by giving their 1st public performance at the St. James amphitheatre. Boy do I wish we could watch it here in Canada.

Trinidad lost another Calypsonian artiste this weekend. St. Lucian-born Calypsonian Almanac passed away in hospital on Friday due to Liver cancer. He migrated to Trinidad when he was 14 years of age, and was blind for all of his adult life. Over his career he composed more than 400 calypsoes, spent time teaching the craft to the next generation and even performed alongside Trinidad’s top acts in the genre. We at Soca Therapy would like to send our condolences to the family and friends of Anthony Francis as we all mourn the loss of this important cultural figure.

Last but not least, a member of Machel Montano’s entourage took a bullet in the wee hours of yesterday morning. The driver of the HD tour bus was involved in a scuffle at a KFC restaurant that got a wee bit out of hand after police were called. He was shot in the foot, but he’s stable and recovering at home. Another man present at the time endured two gunshot wounds.  At last report, he was still being treated in hospital.

I’m Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. For more information on everything mentioned here, visit me online everyday at Nurse-Karen.com,  follow me on Twitter, and be sure to send me b-day greetings ALL WEEK!  Now, back to de Docta!

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Booster Shot: Synergy Soca Star 5 Starts this week!

The first TV show to put young performers on the fast track to soca stardom is back! They brought you names like Fireball, Umi Marcano, O.G., Blue and Chiney. Synergy TV's Soca Star is about to launch its fifth season on Wednesday, November 11th. It airs at 9pm in Trinidad and Tobago.  The host with the most, Super Jigga TC will be sure to keep you entertained all season long.

Then next Saturday (November 14), the 15 new finalists will give their first public performance at the St. James Amphitheatre. Admission is free, so if you're down there go and check it out.

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Booster Shot: Trinidad 2009 International Soca Monarch Semi-Finalists Announced

The Caribbean Prestige Foundation annouced the names of the semi-finalists for the the 2009 bMobile International Soca Monarch competition yesterday in Trinidad.

The Semi Finals will take place on February 8th at the Arima Velodrome. Groovy begins at 4p.m., followed by the Power Soca Monarch.

Here's what you came here for:

Please note: This list does not include the reigning Soca Monarchs and Party Monarchs from around the Caribbean who have been guaranteed a spot in the finals on Friday, February 20th. Therefore five places in the finals have been reserved for Claudette Peters, Khiomal, Luni Sparks and Electrify, Ricky T and Skinny Fabulous.

Groovy Soca Monarch Semi-Finalists

• Alicia Lee
• Ansel Joseph
• Benjai
• Biggie Irie
• Blazz
• Cassie
• Cedonia
• Chucky
• Edwin Yearwood
• Erphaan Alves
• Esther Dyer
• Farmer Nappy
• Faye-Ann Lyons
• Fireball
• Gary Jackson
• Hunter
• Iwer George
• Kerwin Du Bois
• Patch
• Nadia Batson
• Patrice Roberts
• Pelf
• Peter Ram
• Sean Caruth
• Shal Marshall
• Shyann Bailey
• Skhi
• Sugar Raye
• Tracey D
• Tizzy
• Zan
• Zoleah
  

Power Soca Semi-Finalists

• Anslem Douglas
• Benjai
• Berbice
• Blaxx
• Blaze & JW
• Blazer Dan
• Choppa
• Faye-Ann Lyons
• Ivy
• Iwer George
• Jermeeka Mundy
• TC ( The King of Swag)
• Knycky Cordner
• Lil Bitts
• Nadia Batson
• Ninjitsu
• Nnika Francis
• Olatunji
• Patrice Roberts
• Russell Cadogan
• Shurwayne Winchester
• Soca Tech
• Terri Lyons
• Tony Prescott
• Trevor Gore
• Tyra Matthews.
  

Quick comments:

Interesting to see Faye-Ann Lyons name included in the mix, considering that just last year she told the media that she would no longer enter her name in future Soca Monarch competitions. By media I mean the Trinidadian media and myself, when I interviewed her for the cover of WE magazine about one week after Carnival. Beyond that, Faye-Ann will be just shy of 8 months pregnant on the date of the semi-finals. The decision to enter is indeed surprising, but she's been receiving rave reviews for her mid pregnancy performances thus far.

For those of you who don't know the name Terri Lyons, that's Faye-Ann's sister, yes people another one of Superblue's girls. She's been releasing songs for the last few years, however, she hasn't had much success with that. However, Terri is quite gifted in the area of dance, having worked with the Black American Circus in New York.

I would love to see your comments. What do you think about who's up there and who's missing?

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The Rounds - Machel Montano plays Jingle Jam, etc.

Good Evening Soca Lovers,

I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. First I want to say I’m glad to be back. As you know, last Sunday my voice was sacrificed to the deep Canadian cold. I woke up to nearly a foot of that white stuff…and I was rendered speechless – literally.

So I’m thanking the man upstairs for life, and love and the chance to speak to you each week - even if I got to do it with this HUSKY voice. Sexy right?

Miss Nadia Batson was celebrating life on Friday as she rang in her 31st birthday with family, friends and fellow soca celebrities in Trinidad. She’s got so much to celebrate right now, as she prepares to release her debut album on December 17th.

Mista Vybe was there. Miss Alysha was there. And because of it, the promoter says they couldn't make it to Jingle Jam here in Toronto last night. According to the promoter, Rich Nice, it would have cost him triple the price to fly all those artists in on the same day as his big fete. An option, that just wasn’t possible given the budget. On top of that, he says Cham wasn’t ALLOWED in the building…and Blazer Dan’s management didn’t put in for his work permit on time. But the show must go on. The crowd at the Docks, came out in numbers for performances from Problem Child, Farmer Nappy, Patrice Roberts and Machel Montano.

What the crowd didn’t know is that Problem Child was performing with (what he believes is) a broken bone in his foot. He was injured on Friday in New York, just moments before heading to the airport to fly in for his gig in Toronto. That didn’t stop him from jumping up or stomping down…but Problem, if you’re listening…. as your nurse, please take my advice. Do yourself a favour and go see a doctor, pronto!

Mr. Slaughter has been hanging out in Miami recently. He just shot a video for a song called “Bad Boys” with DMX, Jr. Reid and DJ G.Q.. Complete with fast cars, mansions and sexy ladies. It’s looking like B.E.T. is written all over it.

Little more on Peter C… Better late than never - the reemerging soca singer just joined the MySpace world last week. Not only will he be launching that band I keep talking about, but he’s got his first ever solo album in the works too. Congratulations! The CD will include old hits like Oh Susanna and Tay Lay Lay, plus there’s the new stuff. Over and Over AND two more tracks for Carnival 2008: More Gyul and De Sun.

As for me, I’m celebrating too. December 2007 makes two years of Nurse Karen bringing you Dr. Jay’s Rounds on Soca Therapy. I want to thank you all for the undying support and love I receive from listeners everyday, on MySpace, Hi5, facebook, YouTube, and everywhere else you can find me on the web. To mark the special occasion, I’ve decided to launch a new Soca Blog called (Nurse) Karen (Etc). check it out at http://www.mustardseeds.net/

I’m Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Please text me your comments at 9-3-5-9-3-5 or post them online on Nurse Karen Etc. at http://www.mustardseeds.net/
Now, back to de docta!

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The Rounds - March 4, 2007

Good evening soca lovers, I’m Nurse Karen and these are doctor jay’s rounds. So, It’s Sunday again and you’re back for some good old fashioned Soca Therapy. Is a good ting too. For those of you who are lucky enough to be holding tickets to the big return fete this Saturday…you better start to train those muscles from now. March 10th promises to be a real workout and ah tell you, the Kingdom of Soca will have you wukking tings you never thought about in years. Arms gah be strong fuh Open De Gate with Shurwayne Winchester, de vocal chords mussee healthy if you plan to reach the heavens for Fireball. and keeping up with Maximus Dan, Nadia Batson and Biggie Irie is no small ting, neida…because you’re not going home till the morning comes.
Last week, one of our texters told us that the Guyanese posse will be out in the hundreds to party at de Return. Well if you think you think that is plenty, you should have seen the streets of Georgetown, Guyana this past Mashramani Day. Brand new Road March Queen, Vanilla proved to have the most popular melody to hit the streets. Her song “Queen of the Band” has made her Queen of the Road for the very first time. The 24-year-old from Hopetown Berbice, joined the team at Kross Color records as a graphic designer. The owner needed a female to sing a jingle on short notice and Vanilla’s flavour could no longer be kept secret. That opportunity led to background vocals and now centre stage. The new artist competed in the Carib Soca Monarch competition this year, but didn’t place…and guess who eh kay!?!? The judges and dem could eat they heart out.
The new reigning Soca Monarch of Guyana is John “Slingshot” Drepaul. He managed to knock the crown off the cute little head of Adrian Dutchin. From what I hear Slingshot is no stranger to fighting up for Guyana. He once fractured a limb singing at a local food aid concert, and last week “may God bless he soul” de man go and break three bones in his lower back while taking part in the Float Parade. NOBODY could tell me dat man is not patriotic!
I’m patriotic too. Proud to be Canadian. Proud to be Caribbean and proud to be…African. For the next two Sundays, if you miss me, I’ll be gone to Ghana, West Africa. While black history month may have passed, it’s never to late to learn about the part of the world from which the roots of this culture originally took shape. I will be visiting the Gold Coast to celebrate the nation’s fiftieth year of independence from Britain. I will be learning about leaders and freedom fighters, and definitely enjoying the tropical heat and the beautiful beach.
I know some of you are wondering what on earth all this has to do with soca music. Plenty come betta dan dat! The beautiful music we call soca was created by, performed by, perfected and popularized by people whose veins pump African blood. Ghana was the last stop for hundreds of thousands of black men and women who were snatched forcibly from their homes. They would eventually populate the Caribbean for 400 years as slaves. As we enjoy the rhythms in our music and the beauty in our masquerade, please remember that all of this celebrates a heritage that was paid for on the backs of our African ancestors. It’s ours to enjoy, so long as we in our freedom keep within us the same light of faith that guided them through a much darker time.
I’m nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Please send your comments to soca at FLOW 935 dot com. Spread the Love…

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The Rounds - February 4, 2007

Good Evening Dr. Jay, and Good Evening Soca Lovers. I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds.
Today is Super Sunday. And while millions of eyes are glued to the TV set, I want to thank you for giving us your EARS at the very least! To tell you the truth, I couldn’t care less about American football…so I’m fine with watching Dr. Jay and Marxman sneak a peak at the game between songs.
You know what I DO CARE about, right? That’s right dahlin…Ah love meh soca. Last night was the 12th Annual Doh Cry Ah Leaving party. The big fete was Toronto’s last chance to party alongside de Soca Prince for nearly a month….Then it’s off to Trinidad for Carnival. Lucky HIM.
On top of all the hot new music and great company last night, soca fans were treated to a Big announcement from de Doctor himself. In case you haven’t heard…Toronto’s own Soca Sweetness is the newest addition to the illustrious Kingdom of Soca family. So if you don’t about this man’s musical sugar, get ready to take a taste of this all-star DJ working his magic at a fete near you.
Down in Trinidad a brand to soca star has emerged from the Idol-style competition on Synergy TV. Umi Marcano sealed the deal on Thursday with a performance of Machel’s “One more wine”. As the winner of…(check the tongue twister) Synergy Soca Star Season 2, Umi is in great Company. Last year’s winner, Fireball is blazing up the charts with his release “What I Want”….A tune that had ME BLAZING up de dance floor last night.
While I’m on the topic of dancing, I’m looking for someone to teach me the bicycle wine. I heard that Miss Denise “Saucy Wow” Belfon is doing her stretches to prepare for the Soca Monarch finals. Belfon is hoping her Bicycle Wine routine will convince the judges to let her ride RIGHT into the top four. She might just be right…and If I could borrow she bicycle to help me get ahead, I might just be riding in time for Spring.
Because I’ve SEEN what happens when Saucy Wow gives a show, those of you travelling to Trinidad for Carnival will be happy to know that the promoters of the International Soca Monarch and Groovy Soca Monarch shows sat down last week to address security issues for the big night. There will be no tickets sold at the gate on Fantastic Friday, so get them things arranged quick. It’s going to be a great night!
The building excitement around TnT’s carnival is rubbing off on its Caribbean neighbours in Jamaica. Adventure is the theme for Bacchanal Jamaica Carnival 2007. The season kicks off on Friday, with the opening of Mas Camp Village. Jamaica carnival has a couple months to go until it’s as hot as can be, but with the ICC Cricket World Cup coming to town at the same time…it really will be a great adventure.
I’m nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds for Super Sunday 2007. Please send your comments to SOCA at FLOW 935 DOT COM. Now back to de docta…

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The Rounds - February 12, 2006

Dr. Jay’s Rounds
Karen Richardson
February 12, 2006
490

Good Evening Soca lovers. I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds.
Trinidad carnival is in full swing. That can’t possibly be a surprise to you, unless you live under a rock. The action comes to its climax on February 27th and 28th. That’s when the streets of Port of Spain literally dance in a cavalcade of colour and music.
Festival fever hit Trinidad months ago...and here in Toronto we’ve now officially caught on. Last night’s Doh Cry Ah Leaving party….was Doctor Jay’s eleventh annual warm up fete before he takes off to flatten Trinidad. This is a party that noooooooooo-body ever wants to miss. To prove it, soca lovers like you gobbled up eleven-hundred discounted tickets in less than four hours. Toronto must be ready fuh Carnival in truth…because these tickets sold like hot doubles a whole FOUR weeks before the party. Now today, the nurse is here to help you recover. All that sweetness…can be dangerous if you’re not used to it. So we gonna give it to you one dose at time.
Thursday night, Fireball became the first winner of the Synergy Soca Star competition. That’s a little something like Canadian Idol for Soca. He took the title after wowing thousands of screaming fans to the tune of “Don’t Stop” by Shurwayne Winchester’ . Taking his name to heart, this little upstart moved through the crowd on the shoulders of his supporters who were led by flame bearers. Watch out Bunji….this one might be the next Fireman.
If you’re packing your bags for T&T and you’re planning to attend the Soca Warriors fete on Carnival Saturday, I have some bad news for you. Miss Janet Jackson will no longer be hosting the event. HER people say that she’s skipping carnival due to health problems. However, other reports from New York make the bold claim that Janet is packing on the pounds and just might be preggers. Well, gyurl dat is not what we would call a health problem in my profession. But what do I know, really? I’m not a doctor!

I’ll tell you what I do know. The festivities are coming fast and furious in Trinidad. Last week saw the Chutney Soca Monarch finals, and two fetes dedicated to the best female performers: Ladies night Out and Soca Divas Live…and it’s only getting started.

Over in Guyana, the Carib Soca Monarch competition will wrap up next weekend. All three female semi finalists have advanced to the finals. I hear that the semis were rather lack luster this year, with one notable exception. Joann Goodluck, also known as DJ Madonna is said to have gripped the audience with her outfit as much as her performance. Journalists described her skirt as eye-popping, and x-rated…mind you….nobody seems to remember what song she sang.

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!

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