The Rounds: New structure for Machel Montano HD

In this edition:

-Counting down to Trinidad Carnival (Trinidad and Tobago)

-HD restructing means less of Machel (Trinidad and Tobago)

- UK Soca Music Awards Voting ( United Kingdom)

- New Album for Adrian Dutchin (Guyana)

- Ninja Dan's Hearing (St. Lucia)
- SLU records personnel changes (St. Lucia)

Good Evening Soca Lovers,

I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. There’s lots important stuff going on inside and outside of the music right now. I know thousands of soca fans are overjoyed that the soca floodgates of Trinidad are beginning to open for 2010. Now that Summer is pretty much behind us, you can look forward to an increasing onslaught of releases from your favourite artists in T and T.

For 2010, fans can expect a reconfiguration of Machel Montano’s HD oufit. According to his Mama, Boy Boy will be stepping away from the spotlight to focus on things like music production and song writing. The idea is to make way for the rising stars in his band. You do know who I’m talking about? Right? People like Zan, Patrice Roberts, Farmer, and Umi Marcano!

Nurse Karen and Zan in Toronto, February 2009

So, don’t be shocked if you start seeing advertized performances that do NOT include an appearance from Machel himself. Last Wednesday at Zen in Trinidad, the camp presented a show called “HD Revealed” which showed off the mettle of Machel’s supporting cast as they performed collaborations with artistes such as Cathy Ella, Biggie Irie, General Grant, Tian Winter and Nnika Francis.

The very democratic UK Soca Massive is in the process of honouring top soca talent as we speak. Voting is still open for all 20 Categories in England’s second annual Soca Music Awards. Fans get to vote on both UK based and international talent, best event, DJ, Radio Station and even mas band. If you want in on the action, head over to www.socamusicawards.co.uk . The awards show takes place next Sunday.

It’s been a while since I’ve mentioned Guyanese pretty boy Adrian Dutchin in The Rounds. He gets a little big up this week for releasing a new album entitled: Finally! Between putting out music with Times Two in Guyana, winning Mash Soca Monarch a couple of times, and performing as a frontline vocalist in Krosfyah, he’s been a very busy guy. The album features songs like "Impossible", "Rum Drinkaz" with Terry Gajraj and Hitman, plus his Crop Over release with Peter Ram, FOR ME!!! Congrats Adrian! Glad you got the album done...FINALLY!

Nurse Karen and Adrian Dutchin in New York, September 2008

Speaking of other things that are long overdue, Thursday was the scheduled court date for St. Lucia’s Former OECS Soca Monarch Ninja Dan. He was FINALLY supposed to have a sufficiency hearing in connection to a murder for which he and two others are accused that happened on Valentine’s Day this year. The purpose of the hearing was to decide if there’s enough evidence to support a trial and whether or not the accused would be held until such trial date. Well, I’d love to tell you the answers to those BURNING questions but questions, but sources in St. Lucia simply say that it was adjourned until another date. Ah the joys of the legal system...

Other than that Lucians are still talking about all the changes at SLU Records /Studio 758. Since Ricky T’s departure from the label, former Managing director Dwayne Mendes also stepped down. Now the sole man in charge is producer Irvin “Ace” Loctar who recently announced his vision to diversify the music offering of his company beyond soca. Ilah Man is no longer signed to SLU, but Teddyson John remains with the team. As RPB would say “Something’s Happening!”

Nurse Karen and Ace in St. Lucia, July 2009

I’m Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. For more detail on these and other soca news stories visit Nurse dash Karen dot com, or follow me ---- Nurse Karen on Twitter. Now...back to de docta!

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Booster Shot: SLU Records responds to Ricky T announcement

Nurse Karen and Ricky T after his 2009 Power Soca Monarch win (July 11, 2009)

"Karen, take it fast I have to go and throw up, " Ricky T

Soca People!!! It has been a dramatic day on the island of St. Lucia. Title-winning soca artiste, Ricky T announced earlier today that he intends to take a break from music after completing his second consecutive hat trick of competitive soca titles. The artist who had previously enjoyed the administrative support of Studio 758 / SLU records for the writing and producing of his singles, as well as management and booking alerted the media of a breakdown in relations resulting in his decision to step away, at least for a while. If you haven't heard or seen what Ricky T had to say, check it HERE.

If you have, would you like to know what the management team has to say on the issue? I contacted them via email while St. Lucians were still weighing in about it on the popular Radio Caribbean afternoon talk show, News Spin. Ricky T's label mate Teddyson John was the first caller to share his views, implying that perhaps Ricky T does not understand how things work behind the scenes. Later, Executive Producer, Dwayne Mendes shared the studios point of view on today's events.

It seems like everyone has a different take on what has really been going on. No doubt many of you have read the email forwards and read the message boards. But around here, we go to the source. You've heard from the artiste, now hear from the management.

(Nurse) Karen (Etc) is giving you the other side of the coin...

Nurse Karen :What is at the heart of the breakdown between Ricky T and SLU/758?

Dwayne Mendes:

Ricky T. felt terrible for only getting 1 song for the season and he found that Ilah Man was given more attention. The entire mangement was not inspired by this season so hardly any music came from SLU Records a total of (4 songs) and Teddyson John's song was not even written by us, just produced. Ilah man was paid more attention too because he needed more work with his live performance and we would like him to have the same oppertunities that Ricky has enjoyed for the last two years. Ricky has turned out to be an excellent performer and becuase of the execution of the song throughout the season we were not worried about him retaining his crown and being very competitive.

Nurse Karen: When you were on air, you mentioned that your camp admitted fault in dealing with a particular matter in relation to Ricky T. What was that matter? and what did SLU apologize for?

Dwayne Mendes:

We are aware that a member of our team keeps going to the public about our affiars and this makes Ricky T feel bad. Its very unprofessional on our part and I hoping to deal with it soon.

Nurse Karen: Do you forsee a reconciliation between Ricky T and the team?

Dwayne Mendes:

Ricky clearly stated he has no intentions of leaving the team, he prefers to get out the spotlight than to do that. I am just trying to make him forget the negative and take full advantage of his oppertunities. The real problems we are faced with is that our St. Lucian society doesn't understand the industry, hence, Ricky is the first to break-out and he constantly being bombaded with comments from persons who try to advise him. They may have good intentions but most times don't know what the speak of. We wonder why St. Lucia doesn't have more Ricky T's or Darren Sammy's.

Nurse Karen: Can you address any misconceptions the public may have that may be aggravated by this situation?

Dwayne Mendes:

I am happy for the discussions, because it helps educate St. Lucia and because we had no entertianment industry on this level before us, I also accept the negativity that comes with it. I personally do my best to explain to Ricky that his writer in time of competition has to get paid. It was apparent this season when the writer gave him one song. However, there are 2 other songs that are ready for Ricky, but as stated earlier, the camp was just not feeling this season. I am not sure what it was, maybe a lack of competition or they would have accused us of payolla with more music on the air-waves.

Studio 758 / SLU Records executive team: Irvin "Ace" Loctar (L) and Dwayne Mendes (R)

PULSE CHECK: What do you think about Ricky T's decision / SLU Records' all-encompassing approach to its artists?

Feel free to share your 2 cents below:

Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

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The Rounds: Machel to release a steelpan tune

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

If you are a fan of this radio show, you probably agree that soca is not just for Summer or even Carnival time.  It's music, so it's great for a workout, and even better for having a good time.  Barbados' Soca Duo, the Fraud Squad recently found themselves very pleased to learn that people in Toronto actually know how to respect soca music beyond the Caribana Season. Toronto's own locally produced TV sitcom, Da Kink in My Hair, just signed a licensing deal to use two Fraud Squad chunes in season 2 of the program.  Keep your ears open for the songs Haunted and Bring Drinks the next time you're watching those wacky gals at the salon.

    Looks like the TV world knows what's up, and the hip hop world does too.  The Ying Yang twins needed a hot remix for their song Dangerous featuring the likes of Wyclef Jean.  And what could be hotter than soca?  The twins reached out to St. Lucia's top production duo, Penn and Ace to give the song that festive island flavour and the rest as they say is….Dangerous! 

            With so many people beginning to realize the value of our beloved soca music, it's no surprise that the soca community is coming together to fight for its due respect on the internet.  There's a new initiative called Bring Soca to MySpace that is working to get MySpace dot com to create a soca category in its music section, and to develop  a sub-site for the English-speaking Caribbean.  For more information, log on to groups.myspace.com/socanow. 

At Broward Carnival 2008, with Trini Chutney Soca star Rikki Jai

            Who's ready for mas? Trinidad carnival has now begun!  The official launch of Carnival took place in Port of Spain on Friday...and officials say they are not concerned about the economic downturn.   Be that as it may, many artists in the chutney soca genre were a little disappointed to learn that the prize structure alotted for the Chutney Soca Monarch competition on February 7th have been reduced for 2009.  Rooplal Girdharrie won $200,000 TT last year, plus a car and other prizes.  This year, it's just the cash. That's basically cutting the value of the top prize in half.

In Toronto with Machel Montano, December 2007

           One never knows what to expect at Carnival.  And the guy who's most likely to keep us guessing is Machel Montano.  The soca star recently had a video shoot for a commercial for his signature event Alternative Concept.  This year's theme will be "Heavenly Drums".  Machel is seen playing steelpan while accompanied on keyboard by Phase 2 bandleader, Len Boogsie Sharp.  The image is out of the ordinary, but understandable when you find out that the defending champions of Panorama 2008 will be competing this year with a pan tune recorded by Machel himself.  The song is called Magic Drums, it was written by Kernal Roberts, arranged by Sharp and by all accounts, it's a real contender.

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The Rounds: Soca Awards blunders leave a sour taste for Kititians

Good evening soca lovers,

I'm Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay's Rounds. This is a weekend of celebration all over the region. Today St. Lucia joins Guadeloupe; Martinique; Dominica;Haiti and the entire Creole speaking world in the observance of International Creole Day. It's a time of food, music, and a culture rooted in a shared history of African ancestry and colonization by the French. Thus marks the beginning of Dominica's 2008 World Creole Music Festival. Some of Toronto's Dominican DJs like Blackberry Soundcrew and DJ Kold Fusion made the trip to get in on the action. The celebration is two-fold, as it also marks the nation's 30th anniversary of independence from British Rule.

Naturally, I can't leave out my Vincy posse. Tomorrow marks 29 years of independence for St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Vincies here in Toronto marked the occasion with a slew of events, most notably the annual SVG Association Independence Dinner Dance, and a concert by Vincy Soca Legend Alston Becket Cyrus. It's beautiful to see Caribbean people celebrating our culture and achievements...

If you remember last week's rounds, there was a gathering down in St. Kitts that was doing just that. Yes children, I'm talking about the International Soca Awards. I promised you the results, and I intend to make good on my promise...but according to quite a few people in St. Kitts last weekend, the Soca Awards Organization failed to follow through with a few promises of their own.

Here goes...the night before the show, a big all-white party was scheduled. Tickets sold for $25 EC and hundred of patrons got decked out for a show featuring performances from Tizzy, Zoelah and Juliette Mills. The concert ended up being a DJ party, when an announcement was made at 2 am that the artists would not be appearing due to inclement weather. Granted there was a lot of rain that week, but in a country where every flight is on the ground by 10 pm, I would think that somebody knew that none of the acts were even in St. Kitts long before they bothered to tell the expectant crowd.

So, your nurse did a little extra research, only to find out that one act, namely Tizzy, had not even been booked for that show and was not planning to be at the awards ceremony the next day either. Tisk tisk Soca Awards!

Well, sadly...that's not all. Former Kititian Calypso King Ellie Matt was inducted into the International Soca Awards Hall of Fame this year. However, he wasn't there to bask in the glory...through no fault of his own, I might add. He was contacted by the Director and Entertainment Manager regarding travel arrangements, and was promised an airline ticket and acommodations at the St Kitts Marriot. Ellie Matt is undergoing medical treatment in the United States and made special arrangments to be able to travel. So, two weeks prior to the show, he calls her back because he still didn't know what was going on. Would you know it, no one even returned his call.

Well, I believe in keeping my word...so lemme not stall.
iSA results it is! The list is long so, just a few highlights, and for the rest you've got to check Nurse Karen Etc:

Lehwe start local...

Congratulations to Toronto-Lime dot com for winning Favorite Soca Information Website, every year since the category was created.

Kerwin Du Bois, walked away as Soca Producer of the year. time to raise your rates papa!

It was also a big night for Studio 758 out of St. Lucia, with 5 awards. Ricky T snatched Favorite Uptempo Soca Male, Best Soca Collaboration Remin for for Pressure Boom with Mr. Vegas. And Kudos go to his production team Penn and Ace for their honours, Best Soca Compilation Riddim ---for the lehgo me riddim and Best Soca Roadmix for pressure boom. AS if that weren't enough de chune tied Faye-Ann Lyons' Get On, for Soca Song of the Year. Now, I bet you can't wait to see that Ricky T perform that big tune on Saturday at Soca or Die 9.

Machel cleaned up quite a few major categories, and I'm certain that Toronto voters had something to do with Problem Child and Zoelah each earning accolades as best new artist. Congrats all winners and nominees!

I'm Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay's Rounds. Please leave me your comments online at the Nurse Karen Etc blog at triple w dot mustard seeds dot net. And don't forget to grab your podcast of the rounds at soca therapy dot com. Now back to de docta..

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Booster Shot: Ricky T's 2008 St. Lucia Soca Monarch Performance (Video)

Booster Shot: Ricky T's 2008 St. Lucia Soca Monarch Performance (Video)

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Nurse's Lounge: In St. Lucia and loving it!

I made it to St. Lucia for just a few days of the Carnival warm-up vibes. Click to see what I've got planned!

Here are some sights and sounds of Rodney Bay, Castries and Gros Islet. Enjoy!

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The Rounds - June 17, 2007

June 17, 2007

Good Evening Soca Lovers, I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds for Father’s Day 2007.
It’s another hot weekend in the city. And when it’s hot, you have to find creative ways to keep that temperature in check. For some, that meant strolling down to Barbados on the water to see Rupee. While others preferred to chill out in they short pants on the Palazzo Patio for another soapy foam fete. No matter how allyuh stay cool…is good once you doing it with soca.
The coolest thing out of St. LUCIA right now is the Lehgo Me Riddim. This infectious production is the work of a guy named ACE who managed to get Bunji, Faye Ann, Qpid, Skinny Fabulous and Zoelah each to give it their own special touch. My personal favourite is a track called “Presha Boom” by St. Lucia’s own Ricky T. And is not just me who feel de chune wikkked, yah kna. EVEN though Lucian carnival is just barely underway, VP records is already in talks with Ace and Ricky T about putting that bad boy on the next soca gold compilation. If it dey dey…guess who go be first in line to buy it?
In case you ARE looking for new music to buy, you might want to consider the new Scrappy Album. In 2005/2006 Scrappy earned himself the Montserrat Soca Monarch Crown, but I’m sure some of my Montserratian crew would remember him as a two-time JUNIOR CALYPSO monarch. Well he’s all grown up now, and he’s celebrating his 25th birthday with the release of his third album “Soca Is Life”, out on Faluma Digital in Europe…and through iTunes everywhere else.
Speaking of Europe…Trinidadian Fireman Bunji Garlin is packing his bags for a seven city European tour alongside Germany’s biggest soca sound system…The Soca Twins. From June 28th -- July 10th Bunji will be racking up the air miles from Germany to France, Sweden to Italy. And iWayne ( you know - the reggae artist who said soca is devil music)…he go be home ..wid he Mummah.
On a more serious note, a budding soca artist died tragically on Thursday night in Trinidad. Eric Cyril Stephenson otherwise known as Sphinx was gunned down at home in Petit Bourg. You may remember Sphinx from songs like “Wine on You” from 2004 and his 2005 duet with Kes called “Doh Buss No Gun”. The talk is…that Sphinx was known to local police for drug trafficking, and witnesses of the shooting death say that he seemed to know his killer.
On thing I know – dat kinda schupitness has got to stop! Just turn up de sweet soca music and stay cool. Don’t let a little sunshine give you a hot head!
I’m nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Text me your comments at 9-3-5-9-3-5, now back to de Docta!

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