The Rounds: Lil Rick unleashes the "Under Dog"

Good Evening Soca Lovers, I'm Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay's rounds. This is one busy weekend on the carnival calendar, especially for our friends south of the border. The US is celebrating memorial day, which means many West Indian Americans are remembering their waistlines. Atlanta seems to be the hottest US ticket where entertainment is concerned. Tizzy, Iwer, Zoelah, Jamesy P and Problem Child all got to perform in the Carnival village yesterday. But Machel Montano was the guest of honour. Mr. High Definition received a groundbreaking Phoenix award from the City of Atlanta naming him Caribbean Music Ambassador. Today, Machel is among the reggae greats at the Best of the Best show in Miami.

Liming with Iwer George in Toronto

Just a few hours north on the i-95, the city of Orlando is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its Caribbean carnival. According to recent census figures there are 86 thousand Caribbean people living in that city. Most of them are at the parade which began at 11 this morning, and will end at the Orlando Sports Complex with live entertainment and activities straight until midnight.

On the West Coast, The bay area is jumping up for Carnaval San Francisco. With 85 different groups participating in the parade, it's a pretty impressive show of Latin American and Caribbean Culture.

Down in Barbados, Lil Rick the Hypa Dog had a special treat for onlookers at the Gail Hill Calvalcade on Friday night. He introduced a new artiste by the name of Under Dog who happens to be his very own son. The corn-rowed teen has perfected his daddy's every antic and dance move down to a T. So, I'll be keeping watch to see what's in store for Crop Over.

Lil Rick and Nurse Karen

If you love soca so much that you sing it in the shower, have I got the competition for you! GotRhythm Dot Com out of Barbados has launched an international E-Soca competition. They are inviting amateur soca artistes from around the globe to submit songs to their website. You can post your chune anytime between now and August 9th. The song that is downloaded most often by online visitors wins! And the artist takes home $5000 bajan bucks….that's about $25 hundred US or Canadian. It's that easy!

While I'm on the topic of competition, I would be amiss not to mention Caribana 2008. It's clear that the mas bands mean business with some of the most imaginative and beautiful costumes ever to don the lakeshore of our fair city. Special shout out to Curtis Eustace and the entire Carnival Nationz camp for a theatrical unveiling of their 2008 presentation of Pirates last night. There are eleven stunning sections depicting the Caribbean's lawless mythological past. The heat is on…and Ah Ready for de Road.

I'm Nurse Karen, and those were Dr. Jay's rounds. Please leave me a comment online at the Nurse Karen Etc blog at triple w dot mustard seeds dot net. And be sure to download the ROUNDs podcast. Now, back to de docta!

Read more...

The Rounds: Byron Lee swaps in Chemo for Carnival

Good Evening Soca Lovers!

I'm Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay's rounds. Spring is definitely here. So carnival is blossoming all over this great continent…and beyond.

It all started last month when Byron Lee, who happens to be suffering from cancer, couldn't keep himself away from the 20th anniversary of Jamaica Carnival. The 73-year-old musician was in the middle of Chemo therapy when he climbed atop the big truck for some old time Tiney Winey with his band. On Friday, he finally returned to Miami for treatment.

May is gonna be a very festive season right here in Toronto with big time events like Gyal Farm, and the first ever 2-day long Soca or Die. But don't think we're the only ones pumping the soca. The rest of North America is joining right in.

More news from the International Reggae and World Music Awards: Montserrat's stunningly beautiful Jadine will sing and D Life from New York's Hot 97 will be offering a special LIVE soca mixdown for the crowd at the Apollo on May 4th. By The Way, Alison Hinds was also blessed with a nomination .

You think Trinidad is the only land of Oil and Music? Next weekend, Fiesta San Antonio begins. It's a 10-day multicultural carnival that's enjoying a little more Caribbean influence now that West Indians are flocking to Texas for oil jobs. It's touted to be one of of America's Largest festivals.

No doubt, America's largest festival WEEKEND has got to be the Memorial Day long weekend at the end of May. It plays host to Carnivals in Orlando, Atlanta, and San Francisco. Stay tuned to the Rounds for the highlights of each. With all those carnivals happening next month, Kes the Band is most excited to be performing in Los Angeles next month at the infamous Temple Bar. What can I say? big tings fuh we music!

Back in the Caribbean, St. Thomas ,Virgin Islands is ready for mas again. One of the biggest events on their calendar will happen on April 23rd at the Reichhold Centre for the Arts. Machel Montano and Xtatik will join VI based bands; Jam Tyme and the Bouncers Band for the annual J'ouvert Warm up. Jam Tyme has two new tracks for 2008 in "Champions" and "Jamming on the Road." And the Bouncers have already started to move the crowds with a chune called "Skip n Dip."

Over on another so-called Virgin Island, there's a producer by the name of Alton Bertie. You first heard me mention him months ago when I let you in on Shurwayne's big groovy tune for 2008. Bertie produced it after meeting Mr. Winchester in a Puerto Rico airport. And this weekend, the Tortola-based producer had to fly into the Trinidad airport to receive an award for Carnival Please Stay...the production that went on to win the 2008 Trinidad Groovy Soca Monarch title.

I'm Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay's Rounds. Your comments are always welcome. So check out the Nurse Karen Etc blog online at triple http://www.mustardseeds.net/. Now back to de Docta!

Read more...