The Rounds: Soca Monarch chief judge dies of heart stroke, etc...

The Rounds: Originally aired on Flow 93.5 FM's Soca Therapy with Dr. Jay De Soca Prince on Sunday, January 31, 2010

In this edition:
- RIP Roland Gordon (Trinidad)
- Results of Soca Monarch Semifinals (Trinidad)
- Ravi B is 2010 Chutney Soca Monarch (Trinidad)
- Dominica delays its soca monarch show by 3 months (Dominica)
- Ricardo Drue added to "The Orchestra" frontline (Trinidad)
- Happy Birthday Khiomal, Blood (Barbados), Maximus Dan (Trinidad)

Good Evening Soca Lovers, I'm Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay's Rounds. Last Sunday's soca monarch semifinals in Trinidad left a lot of people hanging for nearly 4 days. People all over the Caribbean were waiting to find out which acts would eventually get to compete for top honours at 2010 International Soca Monarch Competition. As it turns out results were delayed due to the emergency hospitalization of Roland Gordon. He was the chief judge last week, and also happens to be father of Groovy Soca finalist "Chucky". Two days after critiquing the performances of more than 80 competitors, Gordon suffered a life threatening stroke, and on Thursday, sadly he died. Our deepest condolences go out to all who are affected by his sudden and very tragic passing.

The list of finalists can be found on my blog, but I'll mention a few highlights. As you may have heard, you won't see Bunji or Benjai on the Soca Monarch stage this year. They had no interest in competing this time around. However, you will see JW and Blaze performing their smash hit "Palance". Tallpree will be playing a wikked jab on Fantastic Friday, but fellow Gutter Riddim rider Patch whose song "Pipe" is a phenomenon unto itself...didn't make the final cut. Neither did Toronto's own Slammer Cutter...but we've got some representation in Kerwin Du Bois, who will be making an appearance in the Groovy Category

Nurse Karen and Tallpree in Miami (Oct 2009)

In other Monarch news. Chutney Soca Monarch went down last night, and I've got your top three! in third place was Moses Charles with "Indrani". Veteran Rikki Jai placed second with "barman", and the 2010 Chutney Soca Monarch is cutie pie Karma front man Ravi B with "Ah Drinka"

Let's see, what else when down this week? Oh yeah, well Dominica announced that they won't be staging a soca monarch show for carnival 2010, which is happening over the next few weeks. Instead the event has been moved to the end of May. Reigning soca Monarch Daddy Chess, however, will be competing in Trinidad on February 12th.

Peter C. Lewis in Miami (Oct 2010)

Ricardo Drue has just been named frontline vocalist for Peter C. Lewis' band, the Orchestra. Lewis is ready to pass on the torch...and believes this bright upcoming star is the man for the gig.

Belated greetings go out to Khiomal of the big band Krosyfyah. He rang in a birthday on Thursday (28th). Trinidad's ultimate fighter, Maximus Dan celebrated his earthstrong on Saturday, January 30th, while bajan soca veteran Andy "Blood" Armstrong will celebrate tomorrow on February 1st.

Birthday Boy Khiomal in Miami (October 2009)

I'm Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay's Rounds. for more info on all ah dat and more, check me out online at Nurse dash Karen dot com, or why not follow me...Nurse Karen on Twitter. Now, back to de Docta!

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On De Scene: TC is 2009 Barbados Party Monarch too?!!

Our very own Corey Graham has been on de scene awaiting the most anticipated Party Monarch results for the past few minutes . Barbados seem to be in soca mode with TC gaining the FIRST ever Crop Over Sweet Soca Competition and tonight she is the Party Monarch for 2009 .


Results :


1. T.C. - Hot Sun N Riddim




2. Nathalee




3. Red Plastic Bag



4. Khiomal


5. Mr. Dale

We're in the dark as to how the same song is permitted to take the title in two seperate competitions. Time to take a closer look at the NCF Rules!

Thanks Corey and we look forward to your review on the competition in the coming days. Congratulations to TC !!!







Peace and Soca



Rochelle

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Booster Shot: Barbados Party Monarch & Sweet Soca Finalists Announced

Barbados - Party Monarch & Sweet Soca Contestants Announced

The anticipation.. the agony of waiting… feels like it's been a long haul, but finally the results are known. The finalists have been released for two of the most aniticipated competitions on the Crop Over calendar.

The eight finalists in the 98.1 The One Banks Sweet Soca Competition are:

Song Title Artiste

1. All Night Til Morning Statement

2. Back It Up Blood

3. Come Out Mr. Dale

4. Hot Sun and Riddim TC

5. I in Dat Mikey

6. Trouble Khiomal

7. What We Do Nathlee

8. We Come to Party Sir Ruel

RESERVE:

Winin' Zone Brett
----------------------------------

The ten finalists in the Mount Gay and LIME Party Monarch Competition are:

Tent Artiste

1. Bachannal Time Timmy

2. Celebration Time Donella

3. Celebration Time Khiomal

4. Celebration Time Lil Rick

5. De Big Show Nathalee

6. De Big Show Red Plastic Bag

7. De Big Show TC

8. Headliners Blood

9. Headliners Mr. Dale

10. Headliners Mikey

RESERVE:

De Big Show Kirk Brown

Crop Over

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On De Scene: Barbados' First Ever "Groovy Soca Monarch" Semi-Finalists.

Barbados is known around for the groovy soca, well the only non Trini to win the International Groovy Soca monarch was a Bajan in the form of Biggie Irie! It took a while in coming but finally in the year 200wine, Crop Over will see its first ever a Groovy Soca Competition. We seem to have to name things a little differently.

We call Soca Monarch - Party Monarch, Road March translates to Tune Of De Crop. We are keeping consistent and calling the Groovy Soca Monarch - the Sweet Ragga Competition.

Here is the list of semi-finalists. One of them is sure to create history this year being crowned the Groovy Soca Monarch.

1. All Night Til Morning - Statement.
2. Back it up - Blood
3. Busted William - Watts
4. Carnival Jooks - Lil Rick
5. Come Out - Mr Dale
6. Good Vibes - Lorenzo
7. Hot Sun and Riddim - TC
8. Hottie Hottie Gal - Tarah Holdipp.
9. I in Dat - Mikey
10. Keep Drinks Coming -Out Patients
11. Move Over - Tasha
12. Peter Pan - Peter Ram
13. Trouble - Khiomal
14. We Come to Party - Sir Ruel
15. What We Do - Natahlee
16. Wining Zone - Brett

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On De Scene: Top Crop Over tunes at Brewsters Road

(L-R) fan, cG 2.0, Lil rick,Katrina Chandler (Country Life Ent), Dwaingerous

Hi y'all,

I am walking out of Brewsters Road now (at 7:30 am) and felt the need to make sure the worldwide soca crew are aware of the clear hard hitters in the Crop Over parties thus far.
This was the launch of the Barbados 246. I didn't get to see the entire show they put on, so I can't comment. I was busy making sure all my TV crew were sorted for the night and there were one or 2 issues that caused me to miss the stage show.

I didn't hear the crowd raving or oohing and ahhing at the performance as much as I expected. But, I can tell what happened after 4 am when we stopped filming and I joined the party.

In de middle of the road - Edwin Yearwood
Riddim section - Mikey
See me and don't see me - Salt

These are the ones I heard get rotated over and over again, people saying the Edwin tune has the Road March based on what has been released so far.

The highlight for me at this time was to see some of the artistes- Khiomal, Mikey, Lil Rick, etc who performed on the 246, come into the crowd and get on bad. I mean get on bad! Mikey leading the charge of his riddim section in the party. Lil Rick was one that really had a blast and the DJ Alvin "Soca Superman" Toppin alongside Pete Rock playing a Lil Rick session and Rick running through the crowd and getting challenged by any and everyone...
It was good to see the promoters, media and other players involved in the season actually getting a moment to enjoy it all.

It was true Brewsters Road Crew style at 6:30 in the morning.

Let me take this time to offer my condolences to Trevor a member of the Brewsters Road Crew who lost his mother recently. Wishing you and your family all the best man.

To those of you with the opportunity to enjoy one or more of these Caribbean summer carnivals, from the words of Rupee - "Enjoy yourself in the mas cause you never know this could be your last."

Soca is us,
Corey Graham 2.0

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The Rounds: Ma$tamind joins Shurwayne's Band!

Good Evening Soca Lovers,

 

I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds, for Super Sunday 2009!  I don’t know a thing about American Football, but I’m pretty good when it comes to Carnival.  So let me tell you who’s in the game.

Dominica’s national carnival, Mas Domnik officially opened yesterday.  The festival began with an event known as The Real Mas.   Dominica is one of very few Caribbean territories that has never moved their celebrations from the traditional pre-lenten season, which makes them the underdog in the carnival playoffs against Trinidad and Tobago.

Last Thursday, Val Cuffy,  the Executive Director of the Dominica Festivals Commitee announced that he thinks now is the time for a discussion on changing the dates, as most of the other islands did more than 25 to 40 years ago.   Personally, I don’t mind if they do, cause then I can finally make that trip.

Another nation on the Caribbean Sea celebrating carnival right now is Guyana.   Last night the sweet sounds of soca got locals ready for Mashramani 2009 at the Soca Monarch Semi Finals.  The finals are set for the National Park on February 15^th.  Word on the street is that reigning soca monarch Adrian Dutchin will NOT be defending his crown.  So, somebody else is gonna have to kill the ladies with winery that night.

Oh by the way, Adrian’s Krosfyah bandmate Khiomal, who is equally talented in the waistline celebrated his birthday on Wednesday.  In case you forgot,  Khiomal Nurse (no relation to yours truly) is the reigning Party Monarch of Barbados.  His win at Crop Over earned him automatic entry to the Power Soca Monarch finals in Trinidad, going down on February 20^th.

Speaking of Trinidad...lemme give you some Chutney Bacchanal!  On Wednesday, just eight out of 33 artists were selected to advance to the Chutney Soca Monarch finals.  There were some upsets in the judges choices, leaving well known acts like Adesha Samaroo out of the final competition.  So, the artists took the matter into their own hands, staging a demonstration outside the San Fernando office of the organizers, Southex Promotions complaining about unfair judging.  I can’t comment on how fair it was since I haven’t seen the performances nor have I seen the criteria, but that’s precisely the problem.  The artists don’t know what they’ve been judged on either!  

I do know, however, that producer turned artiste, Shawn "Ma$tamind" Noel, made it to the finals with Patch for their chart topping Chutney Soca, Rum and Roti.

As we enter the end zone, I’d just like to say....Da Ma$tamind is making big leaps this year, having just announced that he has joined Shurwayne Winchester and YOU as a frontline vocalist for the 2009 season. I’m Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds.  For more info on everyone and anything to do with soca, check me out at the Nurse Karen Etc blog at triple w dot mustard seeds dot net.  And Grab the rounds as a podcast from www.socatherapy.com/therounds. Now back to de docta!

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Booster Shot: Soca snatches hardware at the fourth annual Barbados Music Awards

I truly believe that as a Caribbean people, we have to recognize the talent among our ranks before the world can give us our due credit.  Therefore, it's my pleasure to offer kudos to Barbados for continuing to honour its music artistes at fourth annual Barbados Music Awards, held on Sunday, January 4th. The event took place in Two Mile Hill at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.

Krosfyah at Broward Carnival (October 2008)

This year the awards were dominated by members of two of the islands most celebrated party bands; Square One and Krosfyah.  Newcomers to the soca arena were handsomeley represented by Stabby de Guard who took home the prize for Best New Artist. 

At the head of the pack was former Square One lead vocalist, Andy "Blood" Armstrong, with 5 trophies.  He took home awards for Album of the Year, Best Soca (Uptempo) Single, Soca/Calypso Album of the Year, Best Collaboration with Tarah Holdipp, and a Liftime Achievement Award with the now disbanded Square One.

Ms. Alison Hinds was awarded a platinum certificate for her commercial debut album, Soca Queen.

While Rihanna ain't a soca star, it wouldn't be nice if I didn't tell you that she also copped three awards.  Shontelle Layne was also recognized for her international success with her song "T-Shirt",  but thos ladies weren't on the island for the ceremony.

Krosfyah had an exceptional night as well. Here's the tally. De General, Edwin Yearwood is the proud owner of three BMAs for Best Ragga/Mid-Tempo Soca, Band of the Year and Songwriter of the Year.  

Here I am with the other soca Nurse, Khiomal at Broward Carnival in October 2008

I think one of the sweetest success stories of the night was the naming of reigning Party Monarch, Khiomal as Male Entertainer of the Year. It's hard to carve out a name for oneself when they perform side-by-side with the likes of veteran soca sweet man Edwin Yearwood.  None the less, Khiomal was given as vote of confidence on Sunday that he will not soon forget! He's an entity unto himself with unparalleled energy, a distinct vocal timbre, and a wine that sends female fans completely nuts.  Khiomal, well done!

 My congrats to all awardees and nominess!  Barbados, keep on making top quality music of all genres! ...and I will keep on listening!

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Nurse's Lounge: Krosfyah blazes up Broward Carnival

Check out my footage of Krosfyah at Broward Carnival. You ever wonder if they have somebody in the band just to massage dem boys after the wuk up? Hmmmm....

Play close attention. You'll notice the drummer has a bit of an emergency. The snare breaks, and he continues to accompany Khiomal for "Unleash the Beast" without missing a beat! LITERALLY!!!!!

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Booster Shot: Edwin Yearwood will perform with Asylum for Carnival 2K9!

Edwin Yearwood Performs with Krosfyah at Broward Carnival 2008

Ok, I know what you're thinking. Even as I wrote the title, it was looking funny to me too. Edwin Yearwood, our dearly beloved Bajan General has just signed on to perform alongside the Asylum Band for the entire Trinidad Carnival season. Don't get it twisted though -- He's not leaving Krosfyah.

By aligning himself with the band that boasts both Trinidad's reigning Power Soca Monarch (Bunji Garlin) and Road March Queen (Faye-Ann Lyons), the arrangement will enable Mr. Yearwood to give his music songs a serious boost beyond the usual Crop Over season.

Nurse Karen and Bunji Garlin just after an amazing performance at UWI Fete, Miami 2008

The news comes to me directly from Ian Pantin, Manager of Bunji Garlin and the Asylum Band. I got the scoop just a couple hours ago while on my way to Miami's "Socavivor: International Flag Party". No additional names have been disclosed, however, I've got good reason to say this will not be the last big announcement you will be hearing out of the Asylum camp before Trini Carnival officially heats up. So, come back often to get your dose!

Before you go sifting through your regular online sources for Caribbean Entertainment buzz....you might as well accept that you heard it on (Nurse) Karen (Etc) first. The ink is still wet on the contract, but it is most definitely a done deal. Edwin had an exceptional 2008 Crop Over season winning his fourth Tune of the Crop title with Handle Yah Business, and a People's Monarch title in Nah Missing Me. So, if you weren't in Barbados for Crop Over 2008, you can look forward to seeing Edwin again, like never before.

You can liken the deal to Antigua's Tizzy of El-A-Kru taking the stage with Destra Garcia and Atlantik during C2k8 or Ricky T of St. Lucia performing in the Machel Montano HD set. It's temporary. It's business, and it's giving fans some extra bang for their carnival buck.

None the less, it's a pretty interesting development, considering the fact that Krosfyah, the homegrown Barbadian band responsible for making Edwin's name a Caribbean-wide gyal magnet is still very much alive and kicking. Fellow Krosfyah bandmate, Khiomal Nurse will be working the Trini circuit too. He won Barbados' Party Monarch competition in 2008, which automatically authorizes Nurse to "Unleash the Beast" at the Caribbean Prestige Foundation's Bmobile International Soca Monarch show come February. Great for Khiomal, but veteran Edwin has got to handle some business of his own!

I am definitely looking forward to seeing The Asylum/Yearwood collaboration. Now salty meets sweet, downtown meets uptown, and Trini meets Bim - all in one!

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Booster Shot: Edwin is King Again....

Can somebody please tell me why so many great carnivals all take place at the beginning of August?

It makes it very hard for a girl to give everything its due.

So my Bajan posse, please forgive the tardiness of this post. Crop Over done since Monday and The General is still in control. That's right ladies, Edwin Yearwood takes "Tune of the Crop" for the fourth time for "Handle Yuh Business". He won Peoples' Monarch last Thursday with the same song.



Not a bad showing for Krosfyah this year at all. Edwin's fellow bandmate Khiomal Nurse (no relation to yours truly!) is the reigning Party Monarch. Dat little cutie performed "Unleash the Beast" looking like a bright green monster. But dat don't scare me! I still wanted to give him a hug.



The international community can look forward to seeing Krosfyah at a fete near you. A few friends in Barbados were mentioning that they hoped the band would jazz up the set a bit in time for Cohoblopot. Instead, they've been bringing the same show for the whole season. Where I'm concerned, I guess it doesn't really matter....cuz clearly, it's working for them...and after all I haven't seen it yet.

Congrats to Edwin! The count is now up to 10 titles. 5-time Party Monarch , 4 - time Road March King (Tune-o-de-Crop)...and 1 Pic-o-de-Crop crown....and one new chune that will forever long for the sweetness of carnival at home!



Still bringing hits. Still getting on bad. Still well loved by the people.

Yuh Large!

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The Rounds: Khiomal is new Barbados Party Monarch!

Good Evening Soca Lovers,


I'm Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay's Rounds.


The Caribbean bade farewell to yet another Carnival this past week. St. Lucia was ablaze on Monday and Tuesday with Ricky T taking his 3rd roadmarch in a row. If you've been keeping score, that was Container in '06....

, Pressure Boom in '07

and Wheel and Come Again swept everything in '08. That's right my people. He managed to win Lucian Power Soca and Caribbean Soca Monarch too.

So let's recap:

St. Lucia Roadmarch goes to Ricky T, Herb Black's Suzette ranked number 2 and Ilah Man's "Mad So" rounds out 3rd place.

As for the Caribbean Soca Monarch, Bajan Soca Junkie, Mr. Dale grabbed the trophy for 3rd. Lucian Wildman, Ilah Man came second, and Ricky T - number one again! Ricky's girlfriend is expecting their first little one in a matter of weeks. At the Power Soca finals, she told me that the baby started kicking as soon as daddy's victory was announced. Sounds like the whole family will be jumping for joy for a very long time.

Today Barbados corwned a Party Monarch and it's not 2007 defending champion Lil Rick the Hypa Dog. So Congrats goes out to Khiomal Nurse. The Crown looks good on you Babes. In second place was Mikey, and 3rd place goes to the lovely lady Nathalee Burke.

Nurse Karen with Khiomal in Toronto

Lil Rick had to settle for 5th. Word on the ground is that Peter Ram gave and excellent performance. It's clear that the Pyramid entertainment camp put a lot of energy into staging "Carnival Praise" complete with a gospel-style choir led by Biggie Irie. Ram is pretty unhappy about what was reported to be a 14th place finish, as evidenced by his refusal to give interviews following the release of the results.




Closer to home, ScotiaBank Caribana is off to a very positive start, right here in Toronto. Last night's Calypso Monarch competition was a sold out affair. And by sold out I mean patrons turned away at the door and ting. So, let this be a lesson to everybody. Buy up your tickets in advance. Caribana events a sell off!...and make a profit.

Congratulations to Toronto's new Calypso queen. Macomere Fifi dethroned 2007 Monarch, Structure. Fifi's song "Barrack Obama" ( a very popular theme for Calypsoes this year) was also awarded honours for Best Presentation and Best Vocal Rendition. Her other selection Take Back we country earned recognition for Best Melody and Best Arrangement. She can thank Winston Maingot and Oswald James for that.

Congrats also to De Carra for an impressive second place finish and Structure, you're still on the boards! Kudos on third place.

I'm Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay's Rounds. Please check out the Nurse Karen Etc blog at mustardseeds dot net for more information on any of the news you've heard here. And remember you can always get the Rounds to go at Soca Therapy dot com. Now back to de Docta!

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Booster Shot: 2008 Barbados Party Monarch Finalists Announced

Source: National Cultural Foundation Barbados


19 – Party Monarch Finalists 2008


TENT NAME SOBRIQUET


All Stars Kimberley Inniss Kimberley Inniss


All Stars Miguel White Miguel


Bacchanal Time Khiomal Nurse Khiomal


Bacchanal Time Justin King Justin King


Bacchanal Time Donella Weekes Donella


Bacchanal Time Rameses Browne Rameses


Bacchanal Time Peter Wiggins Peter Ram


De Big Show Natalie Burke Nathalee


De Big Show Stedson Wiltshire RPB


De Big Show Terencia Coward-Thompson T C


De Big Show Ryan Chase Buggy


De Big Show Jafar Burnett-Burnett Jafar


Headliners Michael Mercer Mikey


Headliners Anderson Armstrong Blood


Headliners Dale Rudder Mr. Dale


House Of Soca Jude Clarke and Owen John Hee Haw & Dragon Slayer


House of Soca Daniel Borman Jimmy Dan


House of Soca Owen John Dragon Slayer


Tomorrow’s Children Jamar Bradshaw Jay-B



Reigning Monarch


Headliners Ricky Reid Lil’ Rick



Reserve


De Big Show Elenza Brewster Serenader





NB. The draw for order of appearance will be conducted at the NCF HQs at 10:45 a.m on Saturday 19 July, 2008

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(Nurse) Karen (Etc): The Rounds - November 4, 2007

(Nurse) Karen (Etc): The Rounds - November 4, 2007

Scenes from November 4th in studio...and Soca or Die 7

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