The Rounds: Happy Independence Day Barbados, etc!

Originally aired on Flow 93.5 FM's Soca Therapy. (Sundays from 6pm - 9pm ET)

In this Edition:

Machel Montano's recent and upcoming music releases - Trinidad and Tobago

Supa Jigga TC presents "The Template" soca mixtape - Trinidad and Tobago

Barbados 43rd Anniversary of Independence - Barbados

Lil Rick's Birthday - Barbados

Qpid's Birthday - St. Lucia

Ms Alysha and Michelle Sylvester's Birthday - Trinidad and Tobago

Good evening soca lovers, I'm Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay's Rounds.  The true soca junkies on the outside know we're in that special little calm before the storm.  Since summer, isolated showers of soca releases have been whetting your appetite for carnival.  But when the Calendars change from november to December, the heaven's open and down comes and outpouring of blessings from every studio in T&T.  It's all about new music babies.....right in time for the holidays.  I mentioned last week, that Machel Montano  turned 35 on the 24th.  To celebrate his big day, he released a wee sample of what he's working on, now that the performance pressure is off his back for the upcoming carnival season.  There's a new tune out called "Hot Like Pepper" featuring Serani.  The reviews have been mixed.  Maybe because it's a dancehall tune or maybe because Serani sounds like a creaky door.  I dunno...das what de people saying!

          Anyhoooo....Machel is saying he's got a couple other tracks coming soon.  One is a collabo with Vincy Soca Monarch, Skinny Fabulous and there's a next one with Krystal Kane from  Trinidad. I'll keep you posted.

         When it comes to new  music, there's nobody better than Dr. Jay to fix you up with the hottest releases to flood our inboxes this week.  Stay tuned to Soca Therapy and that's just what you'll get.

            But I personally have been waiting with baited breath for a new soca mixtape that Super Jigga TC has been hyping up to me for the past few months. The term mixtape has long been a vital part of every hip hop head's vocabulary.  But for the rest of you, allow me to take you to school.      A mixtape is not an audio cassette, and generally speaking the music need not even be mixed together by a DJ.  Simply put - it's a promotional compilation of songs to be released to the public free of charge.  It's all about getting people to feel a vibe, and hopefully support those artists with that CASH MONEY when it's showtime. TC released the title track, THE TEMPLATE on Thursday in Trinidad, but you can also look forward to releases from  Shurwayne Winchester, Tony Matterhorn, Iwer George, Skinny Fabulous and Terri Lyons.  In a couple weeks, fans in Trinidad will be able to pick up free copies at local hot spots.

          This Monday,  Barbados is celebrating 43 years of independence from British rule. The London soca massive celebrated with a big show featuring; Peter Ram, Biggie Irie, UK act, Miss Desire and veteran Grynner.  

          Before I go, I wanna send belated birthday greetings to some November  soca babies I missed last week. Another proud Barbadian, Hypa Dog Lil Rick rang in his new year with a pool party in Barbados last weekend.  How inviting does that sound?
           B-day big ups also go out to Ragga Soca Diva Miss Alysha and former Groovy Soca Monarch of T&T, Michelle Sylvester. 

As if that wasn't a long enough round up of celebrating Sag's, today we are celebrating the birthday of one of St. Lucia's leading ladies of soca, Qpid!
      I’m Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds.  For more up to date soca news, check me out online at Nurse dash Karen dot com, or follow me “NurseKaren” on Twitter.  Now, back to de docta!

Photos:
* Machel Montano and me in Miami (October 2008)
* TC and me in Toronto (February 2009)
* Lil Rick and me in Barbados (July 2009)
* Qpid and me in St. Lucia (July 2008)

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The Rounds: October is Calypso History Month!

Originally aired on Flow 93.5 FM's Soca Therapy with Dr. Jay de Soca Prince, Sunday, October 4, 2009

In this edition:
- MSU Carifest (USA)
- UK Soca Music Awards Results (UK)
- IMA names Kes the Band "Spotlight Artist" (USA)
- Roy Cape to be honoured at Word Creole Festival (Dominica)
- Ras Shorty I Tribute and birthday (Trinidad)
- Bomani's birthday (St. Vincent)

Good evening soca lovers, I’m Nurse Karen and these are Doctor Jay’s Rounds. It’s October! We already know that next weekend is Thanksgiving and Miami Carnival. But are you aware that the entire month is Black History Month in the UK and Calypso History Month in Trinidad? If you ask me, the two go hand in hand. So let’s celebrate!

Yesterday 275 Caribbean Students in Texas took time out to educate the population of Midwestern State University about Caribbean Music and Culture at their campus “Caribfest”. Students from a variety of islands packed everything from Steelpan, and Soca, to yummy Caribbean treats into just a few hours of Carnival to show of their pride and power inspite of their very small numbers.

Last week during the Rounds, the London Soca Community got all dolled up in suits and dresses for the 2nd annual Soca Music Awards. Congrats go out to all the winners. Honourable mention to Scrappy for winning Best UK Soca Track, AND Best UK Male Soca Artist. Miss Desire took best UK female. The international acts voted ...The Best were Destra, Brother B and Kes the Band!

Nurse Karen with Nigel and Kees from Kes the Band (Toronto, 2007)

Speaking of Kes the Band, this past week, they were named and the 9th Spotlight Artist by the Independent Music Awards. Pretty great exposure for a Soca band!

For generations when Calypso and Soca lovers have thought of bands, and musicians, Roy Cape is one of the first names that comes to mind. Just found out that he will be receiving a special honour at this year’s World Creole Festival in Dominica. It’s the first time a country outside of Trinidad and Tobago has paid tribute to the veteran bandleader.

Nurse Karen with Roy Cape (St.Vincent, 2009)

As we continue to recognize soca history. The man who is considered by many to be the creator of the soca genre will be honoured by the Trinidad Unified Calypsonian’s organization. If Ras Shorty I was still alive today he would be turning 68 this Tuesday. So, a special tribute concert will be happening in San Fernando as part of Calypso History Month on that very day!

Before I go, happy belated birthday goes out to Bomani. He had a birthday on September 30th. Here’s hoping it was happy, happy, happy!

Bomani and Nurse Karen (New York, 2008)

I’m Nurse Karen and those were Doctor Jay’s Rounds. For more exciting soca news and my online journal from Miami Carnival, check me out online at Nurse dash Karen dot com. Now, back to de Docta!

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