Eye Unit: Happy Birthday Natasja Saad (RIP)

The video below isn't a soca song, but today I think it belongs here.  Most people in this scene never bothered to pay attention who Natasja Saad is, or rather WAS.  So I'm gonna tell you. Remember these lyrics?

"Easy now, no need fi go down
Easy now, no need fi go down
Work it gently and nuh bruk-up no bone

Whoop Whoop
When you run come around
Ca' now you a di talk a di town, yeah..."

 Of course you remember them.  They are from the title track off the Calabria Riddim, Calabria 2008 by Enur ft. Natasja.  That's the same riddim DJs started to play in every soca fete after Machel Montano, Pitbull and Lil' Jon recorded "Defence"on it.  Natasja was a  beautiful aspiring reggae/dancehall artist from Denmark a Sudanese daddy. In 2006, she made a huge impact on Jamaica's music  scene by becoming the first ever non-Jamaican to win the Irie FM/Red Stripe Big Break competition.  Opportunities began to blossom for her.  Then on June 24, 2007 she performed for the last time at the Portmore Awards in Jamaica. About three hours after leaving the stage her luck ran out, dying tragically in a car accident on her way home. What we know as Calabria 2008 began to rock the international airwaves just shy of six months after her untimely death.

She wasn't just a girl who made one song that happened to get big.  She loved reggae, and she loved the culture and the country that created it. She wrote her first song as a dancehall DJ when she was 13. "Unda Mi Mommy" caught the attention of a Jamaican sound system in Denmark helped to raise her confidence by giving her some airplay.

She eventually came to Jamaica to work as a jockey (as in the horse racing kind), but a hip injury in 1998 caused her to shift her focus more solidly toward her music. Jamaica is where Natasja fought for acceptance and recognition, but eventually breathed her last.  Perhaps this love is best exemplified through her song Jamaica 2 Nice. It's actually a wonder that the song that took her name over borders was a silly ode to a guy playing a saxophone (or sex, depending who you ask).  The bulk of Natasja's catalogue was heady, thought-provoking reggae with a critical view of world injustice ( Check out  45 Questions ).  Whether in English, Patois or Danish, she commanded respect.



Had she survived, I don't doubt that she would have had a real shot at the big time.  Her unique look, unconventional Euro/African heritage, and ability to drop lyrics in authentic Jamaican patois made her a very valuable find for the music industry.  Let's not forget that Calabria 2008 was released the year before as Calabria 2007 in the European market and was just as successful across the ocean. 

I decided to post this little memoir today on the eve of what would have been Natasja's 35th birthday. I first got this video two days ago.  The song called "Better Dan Dem" featuring Beenie Man was released in 2008, after Ms. Saad has already passed.  The video utilizes a cast of female dancehall artistes to stand in Denmark's Queen of Reggae.

R.I.P. Natasja .  Thanks for your music, your words and your legacy.



Love and Music,

Nurse Karen

Photo: http://panachereport.com

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Booster Shot: Jamaica Carnival cancelled?

Whoa.... I'm thinking the same thing! According to Radiojamaica.com, Jamaica carnival is on the back burner until the recession turns around. 

They're saying that the event is being called off due to lack of funding.  Julianne Lee Samuels, President of Carnival explains the other reasons at the link posted above.

It's important to note that this announcement really shouldn't affect various events  at the Bacchanal Mas Camp, or the big Beach J'ouvert fete...as those are under the umbrella of Bacchanal Jamaica, which is a separate entity, with a different schedule and parade route all together..

This is a pretty terrible blow considering the fact that the event's founder, Byron Lee just passed away in November.  To me it's sad that his predecessors have already dropped the ball on a very important element of his legacy in Jamaica.   

Hope they come real good next year!

Love and Soca, 

(Nurse) Karen

http://twitter.com/nursekaren

Credit where credit is due...I first got wind of this at http://www.trinidadcarnivaldiary.com

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Nurse's Lounge: Carlton Brown at LG Fashion Week (video)

When I'm not blogging or these days, tweeting, I'm known to make the most of living in one of North America's great cities.  So, I  was pretty excited to have a friend offer me some VIP tix to the Carlton Brown show "Fall With a Caribbean Twist"at LG Fashion Week tonight. 

True, I tend to have a great time experimenting with style, but I know nada about the matter in real terms.  In high school one of my best friends cut me from modeling in the end of the year fashion show.  That may explain why I've been rebelling ever since.

Tonight I played fashion voyeuse, taking in a menswear line by a much talked about Jamaican designer called Carlton Brown.  I know this isn't about soca, but sit tight, Jamaica carnival is happening now, so I figure this man may as well be newsworthy.

LG Fashion Week is a pretty glitzy affair; parties, cocktails and the like with some fashion heaped in for good measure.  The "Brown" event was no exception.  The show began with a special appearance by veteran Jamaican-Canadian model, Stacey McKenzie...who I haven 't seen in the flesh since interviewing her for ECHO TV in, like, 2005. The soundtrack was popular Jamaican dancehall Dub plates from Sean Paul, Brick and Lace and Elephant Man.  

I spotted some of who I consider to be black Toronto's who's who, like Ngozi Paul (co-writer, co-star of Da Kink in My Hair series),  Tonya Lee Williams ( of Young and the Restless fame), fellow poet Dwayne Morgan, and Suzanne Boyd ( former Editor-in-Chief of Flare Magazine and Suede Magazine...not sure what she's up to now, other than looking FAB.)

The clothes -- does my opinion even matter?  Rich fabrics, with paterned overlays in hues that, though muted, make a bold statement for men.  He was trying this one armed man-shrug, that was cute on the runway for sure...but not my cup of tea.  

Though a few styles fails to satisfy MY style appetite, the models delivered a sumptuous buffet of aestetics! Special thanks to whoeveryouare at City TV for not showing up.  The seat was amazing.

Love and Soca,

(Nurse) Karen

P.S. The video was an after thought, but I guessed some of you might enjoy it.  Please let me know if you do!

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Booster Shot: Serani takes on the Ban of Dancehall music in Jamaica

I was just surfing and came across this very interesting interview conducted by Fader with Serani. Now ah have to warn you the contents of this interview may have explict language be guided accordingly.

Personally, I am disappointed in Serani's view of soca stating "ALL soca is about SEX", when he collaborated on the 2009 track "All I Need"with Shurwayne , which had no sexual content. And it is alarming coming from an artist who is representing the views of many average Jamacians. It is safe to say that Carnival is not part of Jamacians Culture and so the depth of its history may be irrelevant to them. However, making such a blank statement in an interview of that magnitude is an eye opener.

Well ah make you be the judge, but you may come to my conclusion: the dancehall community is making soca music into their scapegoat for the issue facing them. They are frustrated that their own government is censoring homegrown dancehall and not "foreign" soca!

FADER TV: Serani
Uploaded by thefader

Peace & SOCA

Rochelle.

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The Rounds: Dominica, Trinidad, Guyana Soca Monarch. Oh My!!!

Good evening soca lovers, I'm Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay's Rounds. Being the day after Valentine's Day, I'd like to take a moment to share one thing I truly love. (I'm sure Marxman could echo the same sentiment)  We love that Trini Carnival falls in February, while this city is frozen over. That means if you miss me next Sunday, it's because we joined Dr. Jay in Trinidad's lovably hot sun.

In Dominica, soca lovers celebrated Valentine's Day watching 12 competitors do battle for the Soca Monarch Crown. In the end, it was the 2008 defending Soca Monarch Daddy Chess who managed to capture the title once again with a tune called "Ready or Not". Congrats to Daddy Chess! Love that you got love from the fans and judges at home. Last Sunday, he was one of the many artists hoping to impress the international soca monarch judges in Trinidad. But he didn't make it through.

In case you haven't heard, the 23 finalists who will be performing in the International Soca Monarch show in Trinidad were announced early last week. The main event will happen on Friday, February 20 at the Hasley Crawford National Stadium. I have no idea why, but the evening will feature a panel of celebrities who have no expertise in soca music whatsoever, including American film stars Danny Glover and Chris Tucker, plus Trinis: Olympic sprinter Ato Bolden and former Miss Universe, Wendy Fitzwilliam.

Ok, so you wanna know who's in? Fay-Ann and Shurwayne made it to the finals in both groovy and power - while Nadia Batson is in groovy only, although she was a power soca SEMI-finalist too. Toronto's own Kerwin Du Bois will be in the groovy mix come Fantastic Friday, but unfortunately Peter Ram, Red Plastic Bag and Mr. Slaughter will not. For the complete, albeit economical list of 2009 Soca Monarch finalists, visit Nurse Karen Etc at Mustard Seeds dot net.  

Click Here

Over in Guyana, their Mashramani Carnival celebrations are off to a slow start due to the economic crisis. So far, carnival related events have suffered poor attendance thanks  low promotion. Organizers are blaming that on fading corporate interest. None the less, the show must go on. The Carib Soca Monarch competition was last night. Check my blog this week for the results!

Now, up to Jamaica for some suprising news. Jamaica Carnival is around the corner on Easter long weekend. However, soca lovers in that country have recently come under attack after the government's recent decision to ban explicit dancehall from the airwaves. Many Jamaicans feel that dancehall was unfairly singled out, while soca music is just as bad if not worse in it's sexual messages. Hey, don't shoot me, I'm just the messenger!

I'm Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay's Rounds. If you want to voice out about something you heard me mention. Join me online on the Nurse Karen Etc Blog at Mustard Seeds dot Net. Check back regularly for daily coverage of Trini Carnival 2009! Now back to Jester!

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Booster Shot: upset Jamaicans call for a ban on soca!!!

[warning: the content of this post may not be suitable for all readers]

Earlier this week, Jamaica's broadcasting commission implemented a radio ban on reggae dancehall music containing lewd lyrics. I dunno about you, but lewd isn't a word I use every day. What were are talking about is unmasked sexual content, like all this daggerin' business....and 80% of the other songs out there.

So hear what, radio listeners who were upset to learn about the explicit dancehall ban, called in to several radio stations to suggest that soca music ought to be banned as well.

The argument is that the music heard during Jamaica Carnival is more scandalous than anything sung by dancehall artists. Well, let me be the first to say, that is  RIDICULOUS. I agree that modern soca doesn't pay much care and attention to perfecting the art of double entendre, but I have yet to hear F-words in a soca tune. Beyond the use of cuss words, I wanna provide you with some examples from dancehall that no soca artist has ever had the gumption book studio time to record:

• "Squeeze her breast dem like di trigger of my gun, turn her back way and f*ck her harder make she cum" - Mavado (Squeeze Her Breasts)

• "Gal you somin tight yes mi love how you hook it baby
  You grip mi right, use di muscle hold it baby" - Busy Signal (Wine Pon Di Edge)

• "Wine wid it, wine wid it, hot f*ck wid it" - Mr. Vegas (Hot Wuk)

• "Sorry neva mean fi wake you up
  But now me couldn't hide it
  Cause you sidong pon di buddy, balance and ride it
  And mi slip in side it and then when fi slide it
  When she say "F*ck it Out Tony! " - Tony Matterhorn (Sidong Pon It)
  

...to name a few.  To all who want to come bring bacchanal, listen.  I'm not condemning dancehall outright.  What I am saying is that those who are comparing ALL soca to the type of dancehall that is being restricted from airplay are ignorant and ill informed.  In the cases where soca is slack, irreverent and vulgar the same rules ought to apply.  I don't have problems with a society making efforts to restore the rule of decency.  But, let's be real.  The rudebwoy culture of dancehall has been allowed to run amuck in the music of its newest heroes. Soca, even on its worst day has not sunk to the same depths of vulgarity. 

As Caribbean people, we have to be careful about the messages we give to our children, and those we spread about our beloved homeland in the sun.  This isn't just about sexual content, but also violence.  Both music styles have been allowed to vere away from their more edifying roots.  Perhaps it really is time to put a foot down.  Let's just try not to step on each other in the process.

For more info (and other perspectives) on the call to ban soca visit the links below:

Trinidad Express

Jamaica Observer

Inter Press Service

Jamaica Gleaner

Jamaica Gleaner 2

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Booster Shot: Byron Lee loses his battle with cancer at 73

Jamaica's soca king, Byron Lee passed away this morning after a long battle with cancer. Last week several rumours were circulating that he had already passed. However, Lee's cancer battle continued quietly until today.

The 73 year old musician has been heavy in the business for the last 50 years with a cache of hits like Tiney Winey, Give Me Soca, and Jamaican Ska. He founded The Dragonaires when he was a student at St. George's College in the 1950's.

Coincidentally, if you believe in them things...Lee was conferred with the Order of Jamaica a little over a week ago. The award was bestowed upon him by Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall. Due to Lee's condition, the ceremony had to be held at the Tony Thwaites Wing of the University Hospital of the West Indies.

Lee was diagnosed with bladder cancer two years ago. He was undergoing treatment for transitional cell cancer in Miami until last Saturday when he returned to Jamaica via air ambulance.

This is truly a very sad day for Jamaica, West Indian music, and the entire Caribbean entertainment fraternity. I wish to send my sincere condolences to the entire Lee family, the Dragonaires and any reading this who has been touched by this loss.

Below is a photo of myself with Dragonaire's lead vocalist, Jumo Primo, three weeks ago at Broward Carnival.

Byron Lee is no stranger to (Nurse) Karen (Etc). Visit the links below for archived posts about Byron Lee and the Dragonaires

http://mustardseedmedia.blogspot.com/2008/11/rounds-byron-lee-is-alive-and-fighting.htmlhttp://mustardseedmedia.blogspot.com/2008/11/rounds-byron-lee-is-alive-and-fighting.html

http://mustardseedmedia.blogspot.com/2008/10/rounds-miami-carnival-round-up.html

http://mustardseedmedia.blogspot.com/2008/04/rounds-byron-lee-swaps-in-chemo-for.html

http://mustardseedmedia.blogspot.com/2008/03/rounds-will-crop-over-change-in-2008.html

http://mustardseedmedia.blogspot.com/2007/11/rounds-april-1-2007.html

http://mustardseedmedia.blogspot.com/2007/11/rounds-january-1-2006.html

If you would like to leave your thoughts, comments or condolences below. I assure you they will be passed along to the Lee family. Tell us your memories of Byron Lee, the man, the musician and his legacy.

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Good Evening Soca Lovers,
I'm Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay's Rounds.

Have you ever felt the pain of heart break? Ever wished you could get something back that you know is gone forever. Around here, we does call dat Tabanca! And last night a few hundred people who vex with winter and missing the soca riddims of T&T crammed into Islandmix in Pickering for Dr. Jay's remedy. Before there was any reason for the tabanca to kick in. Dr. Jay, a big Toronto posse and yours truly were soaking up the oil and music in Trinidad last month. Check we!




When you feel that way, there's nothing better than a good celebration to get you by. So let me tell you what has other people smiling…And if yuh still working through allyuh Carnival Tabanca, you'll soon realize there's plenty more love to go around.

First off, New York's Ma$tamind Productions, the husband and wife duo that's responsible for bring you all those Mastamind Projects and Christmas albums celebrated 3 years in the business on Monday. Three years, five albums, collaborations with artists from all over; including Rikki Jai, Bomani, Sheldon Douglas, Adrian Dutchin, and Maximus Dan to name a few. We say congrats to dem …and keep making that music! This is me with Shawn "Mastamind" Noel, and Natasha Andrews-Noel in Trinidad last month.




Now down in Trinidad, everybody's favourite loverboy was doing a little celebrating he-self. Kees Dieffenthaller of Kes the Band rang in a birthday on Wednesday. In case you're curious, that little baby face and fit body now boasts 27 years on this earth. God bless us all!

In Miami, they are spreading the love Cuban style today with their annual Calle Ocho street fair. It started off 30 years ago as celebration of La Cultura Cubana, but nowadays it incorporates musical elements from thoughout Latin America and the Caribbean. It spans twenty-three city blocks with sixteen concert stages and the best part is, it's FREE. This year Shaggy, Wyclef and Chaka Khan join the action at Carnaval Miami's big Latin-Caribbean party…that features soca music too!

Now over in Jamaica, the carnival surprises keep on flowing. We usually don't expect a lot of new soca music from JamDown, but up and coming reggae star Da'Ville is adding his voice to the mix. He's making the ladies swoon with a SOCA release called none-other-than TURN ME ON! This soca track was produced by Trinidad's Sheldon "Shel Shok" Benjamin. If you didn't know, he the midi guy in Atlantik... and he produced Roll for Alison Hinds…plus a slew of other very big tracks! Here I am with the boys from Atlantik in St. Vincent last July. Shel Shok is the one standing behind me!

So there's no reason to feel sad and lonely when is out there celebrating life. So forget de Tabanca, cuz it go be Spring before you hear my voice next.

I'm Nurse Karen, and those were Dr. Jay's Rounds. Don't forget to subscribe to my podcast, or leave me a comment online at the Nurse Karen Etc blog at triple W dot Mustard Seeds dot Net. Now back to de docta!

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The Rounds: Will Crop-Over Change in 2008?

Good Evening Soca Lovers,

I’m Nurse Karen, and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. This month we’re marching straight into spring with a little help from Jamaica Carnival. Thanks to organizer Byron Lee, Jamaica can now boast 18 years. Last year, Mr. Lee was battling personal health issues and the road parade was cancelled. But in 2008, it’s all systems go. Organizers are excited to announce confirmed appearances from Biggie Irie, Peter Ram, Iwer George and Destra Garcia. Every weekend this month, warm up fetes will take place ALL across the island. Friday night, Alison Hinds got in on the action, headlining at Wet Fete Dreams. AND finally, Byron Lee and his Dragonaires (including X2's Jumo from Guyana) will parade on the streets of Kingston to close out the month on March 30th.
Looking ahead to another important carnival only…1, 2, 3, 4, 5 months from now! The Barbados National Cultural Foundation is happy to have the nation’s largest cultural festival back under their control. At the end of last season former Prime Minister Owen Arthur snatched Crop Over out from the NCF mandate in an effort to separate the organizations commercial and developmental arms.
Well, there’s a new chief in town, and Prime Minister David Thompson is running things HIS way. His government announced that Crop-Over would undergo a few innovations in 2008. What are the changes you may ask? Steve Blackett, the Minister of Community Development and Culture wasn’t specific when he addressed the press last week. But here’s what I was able to glean: 2 things…increased sponsorship, and a greater connection to the emanicipation season which might alter the calendar of events here and there. As always, your nurse will keep you up to date.
If you’re a soca lover in Toronto, Spring is YOUR time. Believe it or not, the Caribana band launches are RIGHT around the corner. Before you know it, exciting new music will be pouring in from all the Summer carnivals. Let me know which country you think will provide the best soundtrack for the Summer. I've heard some nice little samples out of St. Vincent. My 2 cents: expect to hear the name Skinny Fabulous, over and over again.
While you're waiting for those new caribbean releases, make sure you take advantage of the next few quieter months to legally get your hands on some of the best CDs from Trinidad 2008.
Look forward to some amazing fetes that make this city a soca hotspot like no other. From Fire Fete, to the all-new Toronto edition of Gyal Farm (and all things in between), be sure to support events and products that support soca artistes - any way you can.

I’m Nurse Karen , and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Text your comments to 9-3-5-9-3-5 or check my blog online at triple W dot mustardseeds dot net. Now back to de docta!

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The Rounds - April 1, 2007

April 1, 2007
Dr. Jay’s Rounds
By “Nurse Karen”
Good Evening Soca Lovers, I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. We’ve entered Spring and I’m actually starting to believe it.
As Easter rolls around, Jamaica is gearing up for carnival again. Last Saturday, Bacchanal Jamaica founder Byron Lee got the people of Clarendon in the mood at the Supreme Venture Carnival Blowout. The night featured covers of soca songs by Biggie Irie and Alison Hinds, plus the popular annual Tiney Winey competition.
St. Lucia is ushering in the new season by coaxing the big tourist money. There’s a new star studded celebrity event at the Rodney Bay Village Music bash, April 23 to April 25th. The inaugural festival will feature Destra, David Rudder, Beres Hammond, Sean Paul, Maxi Priest and Shaggy. With tickets set at $60 US, it’s obvious that they prefer foreign money to the local kind. For Lucians wanting to check out their favourite artistes, $160 EC is not much of a welcome mat…if you know what I’m saying.
The next big North American street party happens in Atlanta next month. DJ Tony Tempo tells me he will be bringing a mas band this year, which is guaranteed to encourage more participation from the youth. So, if you want to join the action, the parade of the bands takes place on May 26th.
T and T police are out to capture the true pirates of the Caribbean. Perhaps you know of them, you know the kind of people who try to get rich selling things that don’t belong to them in the first place. I have to hand it to the copyright organization of Trinidad and Tobago. Last week they nabbed a couple of street entrepreneurs who were selling bootleg soca CDs for which they don’t own the license. If you’ve ever traveled to the West Indies…or Brooklyn for that matter, you know how much of a problem that is. These guys selling bootlegs on street corners with no shame….and you have to remember, soca music is still an emerging industry. The artists have a short window to win the ears of fans during the carnival season and once it’s done, marketing and promotion is often done at a grass roots level. While I think the fine ought to be much higher then $3000 TT ( about $700 Canadian), I’m happy the cops are finally teaching a them a lesson. Since February of this year they’ve made more than ten arrests. The only people who should be making money off the sale of the music…are the people who are making the music.
In Antigua, spirits were low this week as West Indies fans witnessed their team tek some serious licks from Australia. A rain cancellation pushed the date back one day, which led to lower attendance. Some would say the only highlight of Wednesday’s game was a lunchtime performance by El a Kru. When tizzy hit the stage singing Expose, the crowd got together to jump and wave…which really couldn’t save the team anyway.
And according to Marxman Sri Lanka done knock de West Indies back to 1957. This week I asked Dr. Jay to run a little cricket set to encourage these guys to step it up… I thought I’d better ask the kingdom of soca to give our boys a little inspiration…but inspiration could never substitute for runs….i think I going and cry.
I’m nurse Karen and those were Dr. jay’s Rounds. Send your comments to soca a Flow 935 dot com. Now back to the doctor!

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The Rounds - March 24, 2007

Good Evening Soca Lovers,

I’m Nurse Karen and these are Doctor Jay’s rounds. It’s been a little while since I’ve been here at FLOW to talk to my favourite people in the world…but I’m back. Your Nurse Karen was taking in the sights and sounds of the beautiful West African nation of Ghana as they celebrate their 50th year of independence. While on the continent I enjoyed body surfing on the other side of the Atlantic to cool off from the intense heat at Pram Pram Beach. I traveled to the Cape Coast Slave Castle where thousands of our enslaved ancestors were kept before they were taken to places like the United States, Jamaica, Haiti…and even my very own St. Vincent. I visited Kukum National Park, home to hundreds of Elephants, Giraffes and everything else you’d find in a box of animal crackers. I walked seven lengths of a rope bridge that was suspended from trees forty METERS in the air. I went to Kumasi, which is the capital of the Ashanti region. There I toured the Kings palace and I saw traditional Kente cloth being woven. In Accra, I toured the city , ate some of the tastiest Talapia and Red Snapper and danced till I could barely walk at a place called the Office. Spex would be happy to know that our brothers and sisters in Ghana are TRULY up to de time when it comes to Dancehall Music. Where soca is concerned, the local highlife music fills that gap quite nicely. The musical connection is obvious…and it does my heart proud to know that our Caribbean artistes are staying true to the centuries old rhythms that expose our undeniable African roots.
The anthem for the Ghana @ 50 celebrations is a song called “Birth of Ghana”. It was written in 1957 by Lord Kitchener, Trinidad and Tobago’s most frequent road march champion. All in all I had an amazing time, so thank you all for your well wishes by email and Myspace and in person. Trust me, I missed you just as much as you missed me…so I did my best to at least bring back some warmer weather. It was the least I could do.
That and catch you up on the latest in the worldwide soca scene, of course! Last night was Machel Montano’s historic 25th Anniversary concert at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan. This is the first time the venue has been used to host a soca show and they managed to sell out the theatre for two shows on the same night. Machel Montano HD…Congratulations are in order for you. No one can contest… that camp has consistently offered some of the most memorable soca music over the years…and a stage show that simply can not be beat.
If you, like me missed the big event last night, you’ll be happy to hear that the show will be broadcast on BET and BET J in the upcoming weeks. There are four scheduled air dates, so consult your local listings.
Your West Indies Cricket team is still hanging in there as the host World Cup Cricket, in spite of the crazy atmosphere resulting from the murder mystery surrounding the the death of the Pakistani Coach. They won their last match on Friday against Ireland on Friday to top group D…and will square off against Australia on Tuesday.
I’m Nurse Karen and those are Doctor Jay’s Rounds. Send me your comments at soca at flow 935 dot com. Now back to the doctor.

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The Rounds - January 15, 2006

Dr. Jay’s Rounds
Karen Richardson
January 14, 2006

Good Evening Music lovers. I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds.
Here at Soca Therapy, the good doctor and I work tirelessly to do one thing. We want you gain a deep and crucial love and appreciation for Soca music. Now music makes the world go round…and if you think I got the saying wrong - think again! Music is music…and it’s all love!

First stop this week is to the lush island paradise of Jamaica. There in its salubrious hills, reggae veteran Freddie McGregor is getting set to take his grammy-nominated career to the world of reality TV. The television docutrip aims to educate people on the similarities in the music, culture and festivals of Jamaica and Trinadad. “Freddie’s first” is an effort to unify the two island nations. He’ll begin taping during Carnival in Port of Spain next month. And it’s all about the music people. McGregor will be releasing his first ever soca collaborations as he hits the road with Poision, in their mas’ section called dreams.

As we travel south through the bubbly blue Caribbean Sea, we encounter a sandy gem called Barbados. There, just last week, the glitteratti converged on Bridgetown for the Barbados Music Awards. For a tiny little place, that country produces more than its fair share of great music. Some of BIM’s brightest stars ascended the stage to get their shine: Joseph Niles in Gospel, Rihanna in Pop, Rupee in Soca…and the Queen of Soca herself, Ms. Alision Hinds took home the hardware for best R&B recording. Errks! Yeah, you heard me right. Roll….roll it gyal, roll it gyal…is only considered to be Soca north of Miami…but we love the music same way!

Last stop this week is the twin island cultural mecca of Trinidad and Tobago. Long considered the New York of the Caribbean, it’s air waves blast musical styles that kiss every corner of the globe. For our purposes here we love Trini bad because it’s the birthplace of Soca and Pan. As they warm up for carnival, Dr. Jay promises to keep you in the know with the latest releases and blazing soca monarch contenders. This year’s theme is the World Cup of Soca. When the Monarch is crowned he or she will take home $400 thousand TT, tickets to see the national football team at the FIFA world cup in germany and a BRAND NEW CAR. Ah tell you, if that is not reason enough to love this music, I couldn’t tell you what is.

I’m nurse Karen and Those are Doctor Jay’s Rounds. Send your comments to Soca at FLOW 935 DOT COM. Ah gone.

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