Nurse's Lounge: De Mas Shorts Tight...oh-oh no-no!

I dunno if I'm loosing my stamina or what, but that jump up nearly knocked me out today.  From Sunday dinner to Dimanche Gras, Dimanche Gras to J'ouvert, J'ouvert to Carnival Monday to B-E-D!  Carnival is WUK.

Rochelle and Me next to the Monday King "Apollo's Lust"

Rochelle and I arrive some kinda late, after sneaking a post-j'ouvert snooze.  Thank God for that Locate the Band service.  Whoever thought of that needs to get a pat on the back, a raise or maybe a free carnival cosue in 2010!  If you didn't hear about it, no worries.  This is a best kept secret I am happy to share.  On carnival monday and tuesday in Trinidad, if you're hoping to locate any of the mas bands, simple text the name of your band to "78247".  In about 3 seconds, they text you back with an intersection, and the direction they're headed.  USE it tomorrow!  Without that, we might have missed the whole thing.  

Evolution met up in Woodbrook about 10 a.m., we caught up with them down South Quay around 2 p.m.  Curtis Eustace was carrying that spinning "Apollo's Lust" costume.  He just placed second for King of Carnival with that.  That route is a long way to haul 400 lbs. Dr. Jay was chipping next to the truck in the fire hot sun.  Also saw Kerwin Du Bois in the band, but he hates posing for shots...and I didn't feel all that snap happy today.

Music was nice, but that's to be expected...is world class KOS DJs we talking about.  *wink*wink*  However, there were a couple of girls with no behaviour that decided to bring they beef to Carnival.  That really spoiled my vibe.   I hate jackassness all the same, but I sometimes expect men to play de @$$.  Now when when girls start shouting, carrying on and flinging bottles and ting...my patience runs out quick.  Just roll yuh bottom and wine.  Shut up and play yuh mas.  Stop ruining it for the rest. 

Evolution's Monday wear

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Speaking of bottoms.  Check out the Monday wear they gave me to put on !?!  Um....  here's my take:  the tops were cute and comfortable, de shorts...steups.  I know is carnival, but not me and that!  Seems to be en vogue here in Trinidad.  I think I saw at least four bands with all the girls in these metalic semi-transparent, sweaty, pum-pum shorts.  I know it had to be men who chose them.  Sorry to break dress code, but dem kinda pants is too much information...if you know what I mean.

With an old pair of jean shorts and my modesty in tact, that's how it went down in Port of Spain today.   Noticed a few tribe trucks on the road.  Stormed for a bit and said a quick hello to Mr. Slaughter and de X-Caliber fellas.   Took a small wine on Daddy Juice and kept it moving.  

Love and Soca, 

(Nurse) Karen

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Nurse's Lounge: (Video) The "Skinny" on Caribana

If you haven't realized it yet. Your girl has a passion for editing video. I LOVE IT! So, these clips have been sitting on the cutting room floor for the last two months. This morning I decided to put them to good use. See Mr. "Head Bad" like never before...as he welcomes you into his world for Caribana 2008. 

Music: Crazy Vybe - Scratchmaster Roadmix- Skinny Fabulous featuring Jamesy P

Cameos:
Maximus Dan
Bunji Garlin
Afterdark - Andrew Sutherland
Nurse Karen
Devon "The Split" Jones
Afropan


Places:
Nurse's Lounge - Intro
Palazzo - KOS J'ouvert
If Lounge - The Split's Birthday Bruch
Lakeshore Boulevard - Caribana Parade with Tribal Knights
Sound Academy - CVR Fire Fete

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The Rounds: Adrian Dutchin is Guyana's 2008 Soca Monarch

Good Evening Soca Lovers, I'm Nurse Karen and these are Dr Jay's Rounds. If you weren't at the Return Fete last night, you really missed out. It was all about Kes the Band and the KOS family kicking of Toronto's soca season in class and style. I have to large up de Soca Warriors crew for elevating their big flag to the ceiling with a little help from their friends. I think the boys were channeling their inner Faye-Ann Lyons when one of the members was carried around Kool Haus - surf board–stylee - on a wooden skid during Kerwin Dubois and Shal Marshall's performance of Gal Farm. Yes, Toronto allyuh crew and dem stepping up.

I'm sure some of you ladies were pleasantly surprised to see exactly what Kees is working with, when he took off his shirt on stage last night. The lead vocalist has been pumping the iron for his role as a surfer on a Trinidadian TV series called De Reef. Well, there won't be much surfing going on while he's in Toronto's c-c-c-old weather. But, Kees says he's kinda digging the snowy vibe in the city…and he would love to try snowboarding, skiing, or ice-skating on for size.



While we were celebrating our collective return from Trinidad Carnival last night, our friends in Guyana were crowning a new soca monarch. Congratulations goes out to X2's Adrian Dutchin for snatching the title back from last year's winner, Malo...and he's hoping that he'll be Mashramani road march king too. This is the third ever win for Dutchin. His winning chune is "No Place Like Home" – a patriotic ditty produced by Shawn Mastamind Noel in New York.
"Un-Nous-Allee!", As we in Toronto get set to celebrate our first ever Family Day holiday, I thought I'd shout out my lovely Lucian listeners. This Friday marks the 29th anniversary of St. Lucia's independence…and dat is a reason to fete. Lucians in NYC will be marking the occasion with a special performance by a 25 year veteran in the music business. Ignatius Tisson, also known as "De Invader" is a seven time roadmarch king, 3-time calypso monarch, an extempo monarch and a king of kings champion. Papa Invader performs wearing a creepy mask that reminds me of those Mexican wrestlers, which goes to show…musical longevity is a by-product of talent, not looks. Happy Independence to the Lucian crew…and happy winter long weekend to ALL OF YOU.
I'm Nurse Karen, and these are Dr. Jay's Rounds. For more soca music news and views, photos, video, and articles… Check out my online blog, (Nurse) Karen (Etc) at triple W dot mustard seeds dot net. Now back to de docta!

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The Rounds - July 22, 2007

Dr. Jay’s Rounds
Sunday July 22, 2007
Karen Richardson

Good Evening Soca Lovers, I’m nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve been here to tell you what’s new in the soca world…and I’ve missed allyuh so much.
I was down in St. Vincent for the 30th anniversary celebrations of Vincy Mas…and let me tell you...THAT WAS BACCHANAL. If you haven’t heard yet, Fireman Hooper is once again the soca monarch with a song called Charge. You should have seen him running up and down the stage dressed like a wizard, waving his magic wand. The whole crowd was spellbound...and so were the judges. Ranking him first overall for the third year in a row and the 6th time in his career. Second place went to Lively for “We Drinking”. I wanted Dr. Jay to fully appreciate the IMPORT of a song about mixing all of the local liquors together for a special carnival brew. So, I had every intention of bringing back a few of bottles for the soca prince to try….but unfortunately, by the time I had left St. Vincent the duty free shop at the airport was clean out of rum. Not a drop ANYWHERE!!!! Maybe that would tell you what kinda fun people had in the fetes. So I guess he’ll just have to get down there NEXT year to try it for himself. Miss Zoelah, is real excited about her upcoming show at KOS j’ouvert, especially now that she’s 2nd runner up for Soca Monarch of SVG.
For all you PROBLEM CHILD fans out there. Everybody get MAD…because this year HE is the ROAD MARCH KING. The tune is called Party Animal…and while a lot of people were unhappy that a song that heavily samples Kassav’s Zouk –LA took top prize for road -- There’s no disputing the fact that NO CHUNE was more popular.

Special Big Up to Jamesy P for hoisting me onto his J’ouvert truck. Seeing all of Kingstown wild and dutty in the early morning sun is a memory I will never forget. For these and other tales of mas and fun in the July sun, check Toronto-Lime this week for Nurse Karen’s Vincy Mas diary.
Last week the action jumped one island north to St. Lucia. Teddyson John took the crown for groovy soca monarch. And just as predicted, Ricky T’s Pressure Boom WALKED away with road march, playing two and a half times more often than the next tune: Blah Blah, by Kakal. But second place isn’t a bad finish for the newly crowned Power Soca Monarch if you ask me.
By all reports, this year’s Caribbean Soca Monarch Show was a big disappointment.

Congratulations, none the less, to St. Lucia’s own Ninja Dan for taking the crown. The organizers might want to look into the reasons why 4 of the twelve international competitors pulled out at the last minute. I’m no genius, but if I was an artist, I’d have issues if I found out that radio stations were actually PROHIBITED from playing MY foreign song until two days before the competition. That makes it virtually impossible to score big points for crowd support. I doh know…I’m just saying…
With Cropover and Caribana and Antigua Carnival just two weeks away, you can count on de nurse, to give you just what you need.
I’m nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Text me your comments to 9-3-5-9-3-5. Now back to de docta!

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The Rounds - June 29, 2007

Good Evening Soca Lovers,
I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. With one week to go till Caribana, the city is on fire with hot events blazing soca. All the entertainers are packing their bags, checking their passports and boarding their planes…because Toronto is THE place to be.
Last week, Trinidad was home to some major soca action. When radio station Soca 919, hosted their annual Soca for Summer Showcase. About a month ago I mentioned to you that this year’s concert marks the 20th anniversary of Iwer George’s career in soca. He’s the reigning soca monarch…AND the owner of that radio station. Well…after 20 years in the business, IWER GEORGE has called it quits…well…not HIM, but his name. The big man has retired his government name in favour of…THE BOSS. Ah hope de odda BOSS, Bruce Springstein is OK with DAT choice. Personally, I kinda like Iwer betta.(under my breath)
Since last Fall, the soca world has been mesmerized under the enigmatic spell of Machel Montano HD. Even die hard fans agree that this year’s stage show AND music showed a marked improvement over some pretty amazing years gone by. So next week, the HD posse will be on the road, At Lamport stadium AND at Fire Fete 6, but after that? who can be sure? What I do know is that the band has already finished writing and recording about EIGHTY percent of their NEXT album. Yeah, I’m talking about 2008. So, be sure and lap up the last of this year’s presentation…because before you know it, it will be time for something new.
Carnival vibrations sweep through the Caribbean all Summer long. So THIS weekend would have been a great time for a get-away. Whether in Antigua, Grenada or Barbados, Friday and Saturday were all about moving one step closer to crowning the next Monarch. Antigua’s groovy competitors have been narrowed down to 9. Claudette Peters leads the pack with “Go Claudette”.
On the UpTempo side, El A Kru’s Tizzy, is making another attempt to BOUNCE she way to that crown. At Grenada’s soca semi’s on Friday, the show mostly gave newcomers and emerging artists a chance to expose their music to a wider audience. But, some of my greenz posse will be happy to hear that favourites like Nnika Francis, Boogie B and Inspector are back in the running THIS year.
BIM is looking for a Party Monarch too and Barry Chandler has got some stiff competition. The 2007 music is sweet fuh so. So whether it goes to Khiomal, Hypasounds, Lil Rick, or Mr. Dale, All my Bajans can rest assured de title will be in good hands.
Well Toronto posse…this is we time. So save up your pennies and support the culture. Friday we going to KOS J’ouvert…and then it’s no sleep at all till Tuesday morning.
I’m nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds . Please text me your comments at 9-3-5-9-3-5. now back to de doctor.

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The Rounds - June 10. 2007

Good Evening Soca Lovers, I’m nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Let me start by saying today is THE perfect day on soooo many levels. The sun is glowing like a ripe slice pineapple. The weather nice and about half the West Indians in the city just got a chance to see Machel Montano HD perform live at de Harbourfront. Did I mention that the show was F-R-E-E-?
Ah feelin’ higher dan high, and it’s really no surprise. That carnival feeling has been going real strong all week-end. Tampa, Florida is taking they mas to the road right now, but whether you love soca, meringue or samba, Toronto is DE place!
Last night the Buzzzzz was over at Captain John’s when the K.O.S. family rocked the boat for Soca Sweetness very own annual yellow and black fete. Now that don’t mean is only Asians and Africans get to go, that’s just the colours you had to wear. So, if you found that CONFUSING, I’ll give you two more chances to get your wardrobe right. Say it with me now: Blackout AND….Whiteout. I think you get the point. Tickets are on sale now, so look sharp and fix up.
Dr. Jay de Soca Prince was looking sharp Monday night when he won the Stylus DJ award, for best Soca DJ. That’s twice in two years. Just like when he take home de hardware at the Soca Awards for best INTERNATIONAL DJ two years straight. And guess who’s nominated again! Let the voting begin. Remember we doh call he de Prince fuh nuttin’.
One of St. Vincent’s reigning roadmarch KING’s is getting set to enter the carnival season in royal style. Nookie Man Jamesy P has a new album hitting the streets on June 16th. Look out for “Work of Art” in stores everywhere. The album features the new groove BASHMENT that already has fans at home wondering if another chip-and-wine tune might take the road. I guess we hadda wait and see.
Guyana’s former Soca Monarch KING Adrian Dutchin is looking to extend his kingdom to the blue waters of Bimshire. What I mean to say is Barbados. The cutest crooner ever to call Guyana home will be performing with mega-band Krosfyah for the 2007 Crop Over season. You can hear him do his thing on a track called “Impossible”, that’s currently one of Dr. Jay’s Prescription picks. Take a listen and tell me wey yuh think!
As the vibes keep building steady for Toronto Carnival, is pure excitement! Borokeete International launched their 2007 presentation on Friday, with a little help from the KOS family.
And over at Tribal Knights, I’ve just confirmed that Trinidad’s Power Soca Monarch Iwer George WILL BE ON THE ROAD with the brand new mas band. Iwer, Blazer Dan and a hell-of-lot of DJs! For the latest in Caribana competitive action check the mas camp listings on Toronto-Lime.com
Now back to our lead story. At the top of the rounds I expressed unparalleled jubilation for having seen Machel and he band flatten harbourfront this afternoon. The successful show was a happy ending to a very trying week. After weeks of investigations and press conferences and speculation and rumours, charges were finally laid in regards to the incident at Zen night club in Trinidad. De one involving aggressive partygoers, a spilt drink and a fist fight. Righto! I’ll be the first to tell you Machel eh go want to talk about this so I will. Trinidadian rat pack Machel Montano, Kernal Roberts, Benjai, and Zan were slapped with 5 charges in relation to the events. Bail was granted for the sum of $50 thousand TT for Machel and Zan, $30 Thousand for Benjai, and $25 Thousand for Kernal. The case will hopefully go to trial next month. But guess really eh care? You got it. I just happy I get to do de Jumbie dance this afternoon!
I’m nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Please send your comments to soca a Flow 935 dot com. Now back to de docta!

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The Rounds - May 11, 2007

Good Evening Soca Lovers,
I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. In case alluyuh missed de memo, today is Mother’s Day! If your moomie is anything like mine, then if you haven’t called by now, you better just be sure have something good for her Christmas. You always hadda remember your mother! So, I want to send a special greeting to the woman who dressed me up in Vincy colours to go down University Avenue. She taught me the words to Rum and Coca-cola. She even taught me how to roll my waist in the kitchen. I’m sending love and thanks to the sweet West Indian woman who showed me how to be both feminine and strong.
To all the mother’s listening, whether or NOT the children you’ve reared are your own. To all the mothers who are no longer with us. Today we salute you!
LAST NIGHT…while we WERE still loving de mommies and dem, the main focus was on something else. Toronto was injected with a healthy dose of carnival fever. Your favourite KOS DJs and Yours Truly were spreading the love to at a score of Band Launches. Maybe you were jamming with Marxman and Callaloo crew over at Palazzo for the Conquest of Alexander. Could be you got a dose of musical medicine from de Doctor. He was bringing his vibe to Jamaal Magloire’s Toronto Revellers when they transformed Shangri-La to Viva Las Vegas. Soca Sweetness lent HIS honey to the brand new Tribal Nights band at the Ramada hotel. And your nurse was there too…administering a little treatment of my own. I also want to big up Louis Saldenah and de Expats who were warming up last night as well. Maybe it’s just me, but I think Summer is almost here.
Springtime in Toronto is the perfect time to get out and do something different. Starting Wednesday, audiences here at home can look forward to a new play from Trinidadian playwright Tony Hall. Twilight Café opens at The Great Hall this Wednesday, but today Director, Rhoma Spencer is here in studio to tell you all about it.
Here in Ontario, Summer unofficially starts with the Victoria Day long weekend. So, if you’re ready to cast off those dark clothes, get a fresh pedicure and a sassy new hair cut...now is the time to get organized. Next Sunday night, be sure and start your summer right! Soca or Die “Take 6 Love” is the only name you need to remember. Where else can you see Nadia Batson, Kes the Band, Kerwin Du Bois, Collie Buddz and Ziggy Ranking. Where else can you hear the entire cast of KOS DJ’s under one roof? Where? Feel free to text me, because I want to know! You MUST get your tickets now, because come next weekend you won’t get any sympathy from me. Betta safe dan sor-ree.
I’m nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Send your comments to soca at FLOW 935 dot com. 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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