Nurse's Lounge: Insomnia V - 4 bands, more vibes!

Sunday morning, June 28 – Insomnia V

When I travel...I wanna see the artistes perform live. Don’t get me wrong, I love sun, sand and surf. I love my food too...but I like to know how an artiste’s studio performance will translate on the stage. Insomnia was the perfect opportunity for that.

With a title like Insomnia, carnival lovers are well aware that the list of performers is gonna be longer than my arms...and you’ve seen my arms. That night I got to see onstage appearances from established and local acts alike. Four bands backed the artists; HS Phaktor, Roy Cape All-Stars, Alliance and The Madd Symphony.

Before I go on. I have to big up Hitman Colin Graham hooking me up with a comp pass. One issue though, he didn’t arrive to Insomnia until about 3:00 am. That just means I paid the door price to enter! For what it’s worth. The show was worth every penny of that $60 EC.

From watching Shaunelle McKenzie belt out incredible notes to Bomani performing his modern classic. There was Icon and First Lady clashing on stage, Fire Empress bending over, Full Clip, DJ 20...sweet.

Here’s what you missed...

I have to hand it Luke Boyea and Hot 97 for making the decision to put the Alliance band up last, after visiting band Roy Cape All-Stars. Usually, visiting artistes close the show, but here's the deal...it wouldn't have mattered what big songs from Trinidad the band was covering...they couldn't competed with the pandemonium that erupted every time Skinny Fabulous and Problem Child touched the stage in SVG.

The other treat of the closing set was seeing so many female artistes command the stage. It was beautiful to see Zoelah, Danielle Veira, Daria and Jalena all performing in the same set.

That vibe was infectious. Olatunji and Rita Jones caught it too. After the sun came up, I saw them bouncing at the front of the stage as they took in the local talent. Insomnia was a big night! Check the vid...you'll see!



One small word of critcism, doled out with a heap of love...trust me. Alliance is a great band. I've sat in on rehearsals, so I know some of St. Vincent's best musicians are responsible for their sound. BUTTTT!!!! Nurse Karen knows a little something about brass. I spent most of my youth playing the trumpet. I played in school concerts and jazz bands...even got a solo or two, now and then. The brass section for Insomnia V was out of tune, AND out of sync.

It was a late night, for sure, and the drinks were flowing. However, you can hear this on the video clips, and it definitely came across on the radio broadcast. Poor Mr. Vegas got the real short end of the stick, because it was pretty clear his set hadn't been rehearsed with him. Correct me if I'm wrong. Mind you, I doubt the other 3 or so thousand people there were paying much attention to all that. So kudos none the less, just remember music is SOUND. Make sure allyuh sound your best.

I had a great time at Insomnia. It made for a memorable day, especially after that CRAZY wedding! The night was totally memorable, and was made moreso by getting to chat a while with music legend Roy Cape. If you wanna talk about brass...check he!

Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

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Nurse's Lounge: Fire Fete in St. Vincent!!!! part one

High off the music!!! That's how I'm feeling today. It's a wonder that I'm already chilling in the lobby with my laptop at 11 am. That party was maddddddddd!

This year, the Carnival Development Committee is trying something new. They've combined some of the official, more cultural carnival events with privately promoted fetes, so as to draw out bigger crowds. No surprise that Bunji Garlin and the Asylum
Band were coupled with National Panorama. So, Fire Fete is wey we a talk bout.

When I arrived in Victoria Park, the crowds were vibing off a performance from the Madd Symphony. Maddzart, D'Lanlord and Tamisha had the growing audience rocking and wining to some of their sweet ragga soca tunes for Vincy Mas 2009. I could already tell the party would be nice.

I found my way backstage, and checked out the stage set up. The bands came through in the early afternoon to soundcheck. The process went wayyyyyyyyy overtime, but eventually they got it right. But God loves a good practical joke now and then, eh. In the early evening high winds breezed right over the stage, and knocked over a set of equipment...which meant trouble and vexation for the stage crew and bands.

Still, the party came off without a hitch. By the time Hottsand got up to play, the audience was really in a party mood...myself included. Ran into Fitz, the marketing director for LIME in the VIP. He hooked me up with a light-up LIME champagne glass...which happens to be just as affective at holding Malibu and Pine! Sharlene Samuels, Syxx, and Johnny Rebel gave us a sweet combination of soca covers and their original tunes. Miss Sharlene has really grown as a performer. Her command of the crowd was exceptional for a vocalist whose name is still a mystery to most fete-goers. It is possible that after she drops "We Jamming" at Soca Monarch this Saturday all that could change.


Fire Empress had the ladies shadowing her hottness for "Fire Brigade". Then the HOTTSAND set sparked a full out blaze when Icon reminded St. Vincent they love him so much. Chune, chune and chune again from "Ready" on the 2005 Lava Slide Riddim , to "Get On"...his 2009 Soca Monarch contender. The energy was palpable!



Soca Dans inna de building. Jamesy P, Fireman and Luta. Let me be the first to say it. I LOVE Luta's Rumbo...and SHAKE! So did the crowd...all kinda new dance styles were brukkin out.

Nurse Karen and Skinny Fabulous at Fire Fete

I popped backstage just before Skinny Fabulous and Problem Child did their thing. As expected "Maddhouse" mashed up the thousands in attendance, but hear what...Skinny still has a chance. De Beast Letgo shook up Victoria Park, more than I've seen in previous shows. Soca Monarch is still anyone's game...Can't wait for Saturday.

So, did I mention that Bunji Garlin, Fay-Ann Lyons and the Asylum Band were the featured acts? St. Vincent's wild soca posse come out in their numbers for Bunji..and in 2009 it's clear that their love for Fay-Ann is now in full bloom.

Nurse Karen and Fay Ann at Fire Fete

Was nice to see Benjai join them on stage. It was a redemptive performance of sorts. He was at Glow the night before, performing after a list of artists long like my arm. Most of the crowd left while he was singing, through no fault of his own. Even though Benjai has a Vincy Grandpa, and he was up in de fete with his Uncle and Cousin, St. Vincent isn't super familiar with his 2009 selections. Well, that was THEN!

Benjai, Bunji and Fay-Ann performing at Fire Fete

I'll come back with more on this show. Doh worreee, It will be a glooooooooooooooowing review. Good work Bing!

So, gimme a chance to put up some vidz and pics. But rest assured de ting was pure FFFFFFIIIIIIIIIIIIIIREEEEEEEEE!!!

Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

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Booster Shot: SVG Roadmarch King is the face of new Courts promotion

Hey guess what!?! Icon got an endorsement deal with Courts...you know the furniture and appliance store in the Caribbean. He's the new face of COURT'S carnival promotion in SVG named after his road march contender, Congo Line.

Garett "Icon" John is St. Vincent's reigning Road March King for last year's joint Ah Pain (2 Knee). This year he's making the Vincy Mas fete circuit with songs like Teaser, The Party Nice, Clash ft. First Lady and of course Congo Line

Icon and Moi, and Insomnia (St. Vincent 2008)

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Booster Shot: SVG Ragga Soca Finalists announced

Dani-O

On Friday, June 26, 2009 fifteen competitors will vie for the Ragga Soca Crown. This year it is anyone's game. Last year's champ, Dani-O will not be defending her crown in 2009. In fact she will not be participating in Carnival at all. The 24-year-old has stepped away from singing soca music, to delve deeper into her Christian beliefs.

A list of finalists was released to the media in St. Vincent and the Grenadines yesterday, but I guess I`m not on that list.

So, I had to dig up the info the old fashioned way - I asked the artists, djs and other media people. Here's what I came up with. No worries tho, it's legit. 10 males competitor, 5 female. (Not that you were keeping score...but I am!)

D'Lanlord

Danielle Veira

Elegance

G Wise & Oscar

Lady D

Tabia

Icon

Maddzart

Troots & Ice

Radikal

Fullclip

Skarpyon

Squitty

Zoelah

Tamisha

HS Phaktor will accompany the artistes on stage. That's Bomani and Shaunelle McKenzie's band, if you didn't know. I'm excited! I'll be arriving in St.Vincent the very same morning. So you done know, I'll be there! Ragga Soca Monarch will be the first show I get to see live! Can't wait!

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The Rounds: BBC Radio 1 cancels its soca show

In this edition:

• St. Vincent Carnival Launch
• Ist Cavalcade of Cropover
• Royalties Xtreme Band Launch
• Alison Hinds at IRAWMA's
• BBC 1xtra cancels its Soca program

Good Evening Soca Lovers,

I'm Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s rounds. What a weekend! Saturday was an action packed day all over socaverse.  There were Carnival road parades in St. Thoman, St. Marten and GRAND CAYMAN. Dr. Jay actually DJ’d on the road down there for Swanky international, and I understand the band went on to capture the band of the year title.

Over in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Vincy Mas 2009 has officially begun. Festivities took places across the mainland with music trucks parading into town from all parts of the island. Last year’s road march king, Icon...defeated Zoelah in the new song competition. He’s already got fans in the palms of his hands with popular releases like Teaser and Congaline.

Zoelah had won that title in both 2007 and 2008. But no worries Zoelah fans, her new tune More Water, promises to get its share of DJ spins as her follow up to Wine Up On Me.  

Nurse Karen last month in Toronto with Zoelah

The Crop Over festivities unofficially began in Barbados yesterday with the very first cavalcade. Tone Def Studio is out the gates early as usual with an album called Chaos produced by Andy “Blood” Armstrong, former frontline vocalist with Square One.  

Blood in his studio in BIM

Mas bands are launching all over the Caribbean, and here in Toronto two. One of our biggest bands, Carnival Nationz unleashed it’s 2009 presentation called “In Full Bloom - Fruits and Flowers” last night. In St. Lucia on Friday night, a popular radio personality, magazine editor and DJ, MC Scady impressed the local media when he added one more title to his resume as the P.R.O. of the new carnival band Royalties Xtreme.

Rochelle in St. Lucia last Friday with Scady

 The Lucian posse out there would remember Royalties as very a popular force on the road from the 1980’s through 2002. Then they disappeared. In ’08 the Lucians in England brought a band called Xtreme to Nottinghill Carnival. So the two groups have joined forces to bring de ting back home. The gorgeous presentation is called Africa is Our home.

Something else that started in England, made the rounds this week. UK born Soca star Alison Hinds has a date with the International Reggae and World Music Awards in Queens, New York this evening. She will be the only soca act performing at the show.  

At lastly, BBC 1xtra, one of two commercial stations in the UK that plays any soca at all, has made the decision to cancel their International Sounds of Soca program. In the past, the program was hosted by Slick and Machel Montano. Our boy, Kerwin Du Bois used to DJ on there sometimes when he was still living in England. Then bajan beauty Alex Jordan was the first female to host the program, and became the first DJ to ever resign from the station last Autumn. Since then, DT temporarily took the helm. 

Nurse Karen at a 1Xtra live broadcast with Alex Jordan in London, England

Well, it is possible that some kinda soca show will be back on air in the Summer but for now, CRICKETS!

I’m Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. If you love soca, and wouldn’t let anyone take your favourite music off your FAVOURITE radio station, visit me online at Nurse dash Karen dot com. Now, back to de Docta!

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Nurse's Lounge: Vincy Fete at Cafe Omar

The action last night was late in coming...but eventually things heated up Brooklyn stylee! One thing I kinda like about the New York vibe, is that no matter where you're from... you can find a group of your people from back home liming at all hours. We hit up Cafe Omar in Flatbush.

That was where most of the Vincies dem were making merry. I joined in for a bit.

Big up to all the performers: Dennis Bowman, Gideon James, Dani.O, Lively, Icon, Skinny Fabulous, Jamesy P, Bomani.

Soca Jones, as always...I appreciate what you do. Keep promoting the culture.

Blackroots...next time walk with your phone, but thanks anyway!

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Nurse's Lounge: Vincy Soca Monarch Semi-Finals

Every time I'm in St. Vincent, I am amazed at how many people down there are singing soca. When you tune in to the radio stations, there are nuff songs to be heard, but you may not realise how many more are pumping out of speaker boxes, in ipods or just on other radio signals.

Now that I'm hear, I'm noticing that again. There I was, thinking I was up to date, just because a handful or producers are nice enough to forward their releases to my inbox, but yet again, I feel like I had no idea.

So tonight, the lime is Soca Monarch Semi-Finals. 35 artistes are vying for 20 coveted spots. Everyone is hoping to defeat 6-time soca champ Fireman Hooper from his perch as soca monarch. We'll see if this will be the year.


Here are three videos full of clips of the semi-finalists competing:












This year, the Monarch will earn automatic entry into the International Soca Monarch finals in Trinidad and Tobago 2009. So, the stakes are high. The winner doesn't just walk away with $20 000 EC, but also an additional $100 000 TT appearance fee once they grace the stage in Trinidad. That news brought former soca king Maddzart out of hiding, and brought soca monarch virgin, Problem Child into the ring for the first time.

It's been such a rainy weekend here in St. Vincent, so I suppose the moderate turnout isn't so bad for a Sunday night in Kingstown. None-the-less, the music community made sure to show up.

Here are a few of the artistes I ran into at Victoria Park.

Ras X

DJ Twenty

Fire Empress

Colin Peters from Mystik Vibration

Shaunelle McKenzie

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