While I was in New York I mentioned a little impromptu meeting that happened at Shadee's studio in Brooklyn. Jon FX popped in to get a track mixed...and well, I turned it into an interview opportunity.
God has a sense of humour. You know that right? Thursday was a real comedy of errors for me. It seemed like the simplest things, just refused to go as planned. The biggest plan on my agenda, however, was to do a little recording. Don't worry allyuh, de Nurse nah tun artist. Outside of all this, I'm a spoke word poet, with half a lifetime's experience dazzling listeners with my words. (that's what they tell me!) So, back to the story. Thursday was supposed to be studio day with Kevin "Shadee" Sardine in Canarsie, Brooklyn.
Shadee and Jon FX
Still trying to place the name? Kevin hails from St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Years ago he performed with a band called Signal alongside Luta. He then spent a few years touring the high seas as a cruise ship vocalist...wearing dorky @$$ Hawaiian shirts and all. Since then, he has released a few soca tracks as solo artiste for Vincy Mas.
Let's ignore all that for a sec tho. Shadee is now based in New York. He continues to gig as a keyboardist and sample technician, but he's also making a name for himself as a producer. So...I go there. I was planning to voice a couple a cappella for him to build around...and pick some of his other awesome beats to perform to. Then the doorbell rings.
I was told that someone would be popping by in the afternoon to pick up something. SOMEBODY sure did. In comes Jamaica's dancehall groove master Jon FX Crawford. My man has a grammy to his name for some work he did on Britney Spears' "Toxic" record! He's also pumped out hits for the likes of I Wayne, Sizzla, Gyptian, amd Wayne Wonder.
Jon FX and Nurse Karen
The list goes on. FX needed Shadee (who HE calls a "genius") to mix a new riddim for him The gritty, but sexy new riddim is called the "Wild Geese" riddim. And boooooooooooy...that thing sounds word class to me. He tells me that Gyptian has voiced on it, Estelle is interested in dropping her swag on it...and Kevin Lyttle's got a confirmed next. He'll be recording with him in a matter of days. In my opinion, that riddim has Tessanne Chin written all over it. Tessanne, if you're reading...call FX...pretty please.
Once that was through, an emerging reggae artist called Blaze passed through. Got to hear an unmixed track that had me singing along from first listen. He's moving in the right circles and definitely has the chops to turn heads.
Blaze and Nurse Karen
Needless to say, I didn't get to record ANYTHING! FX, you owe me some studio time, and a track for my album. (I'm just joking, but boyyyyy would that be nice!)
I made sure to grab some clips of the in-studio vibe during the mixing process. So, stayed tuned... I promise to get that spliced together and posted sometime after my BIG weekend at Boston Carnival!
So far, this was the BEST day of my stay in SVG. Slimmy and I decided to go to Victoria Park in the afternoon to see the Junior Calypso and Soca finals. I realise neither of us have been juniors for a few years, but it seemed like the best idea on a tuesday afternoon.
Here's why....
The sun was shining bright, and the venue was packed. From babies to seniors, it appears that everyone had the same idea. All the mas men from Dragons were there. The Calder posse that I met on my flight down were in the place, my media collegues were liming, and a few of the artistes too.
Especially this one...Kevin Sardine.
It's Shady's birthday. We bounced him taking a drink at Jr Calypso, so we bought him a few more. We caught all kinda jokes watching the lil children get on to the music. Girls screaming. Little boys tiefing a wine. It was priceless.
When the show ended, and my rising star 16 year-old Hance was declared victorious as Jr. Soca King for second year in a row, I was in a celebratory mood.
I texted the liming crew...and it was on...Xcape tonight!
What happens at Xcape stays and Xcape, but here's the posse enjoying ourselves in celebration of Kevin's big day! Everybody say SAM-BU-CA!!!
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