The Rounds: Edwin Yearwood shares winnings with Mikey!

Hey All,

Sorry for the delay in getting this to you! With Caribana...and all the resulting fireworks this year, I must admit I have been struggling to stick to my regular schedule. Don't forget to check 'DE LATEST NEWS' for more detail on these items...

In this edition:
- Caribana Band of the Year Results
- Crop Over Pic of de Crop Calypso Monarch
- Crop Over Peoples' Monarch
- Antigua Soca Monarch

Good evening soca lovers I’m Nurse Karen , and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Happy
Caribana weekend 2009! Wow....this is the time of year when sweet soca music takes center stage, and our fair city of Toronto show off the incredible beauty and culture of the Caribbean to the rest of the world. If you’re visiting from out of town. Sure hope you’ve had a chance to experience the exhilarating vibrations that only soca can provide. If you’re not already feeling the vibe...keep listening. Marxman and Dr. Jay are making you wine from 6 to 9.

So first the results from the road. Congratulations to Carnival Nationz on their 2009 Band of the Year title. The presentation of In Full Bloom was absolutely stunning to see. Runner up was Lousi Saldenah Mas K Club with a Tribute to Harold Saldenah. Congrats Dr. Jay...2nd place ain’t so bad. Toronto Revellers took home the 3rd place spot with Brasil, Bacchanal in RIO.

If you didn’t know, Toronto isn’t the only place celebrating carnival right now. Down in beautiful Barbados...it’s all about Crop Over. Red Plastic Bag took hom, yet another Calypso Monarch Crown this weekend. Then this weekend De General Edwin was votes Peoples’ Monarch of Barbados. That is a competition sponsored by a group of radio stations. Listeners get to text in votes for their favourite song and artist of the festival. Edwin’s uptempo...Middle of the road was the clear winner. He beat out his opponent Mikey 82 percent to 18 percent.

None the less, I can vouch that Mikey’s song I in Dat is a very big tune. Edwin thought Mikey deserved to get something too...so get this. He actually offered to give him 10 thousand dollars out of his $25,000 top prize.

Before I head out to continue the carnival action, lemme tell you what happened in Antigua last night. Tian Winter dethroned long time crowd favourite Claudette "CP" Peters in both the Groovy Soca Monarch and Party Monarch categories. So get used to the songs "Baby I" and "Soca Rebel"...and the name Tian Winter. He's on top of his game for 2009, and he's here to stay.

I'm Nurse Karen, and those were Dr. Jay's Rounds. For more info on anything mentioned here...check out your best source for reliable soca news, Nurse Karen Etc at www.nurse-karen.com or follow nurse karen on twitter.

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Booster Shot: Carnival Nationz is Band of the Year!

Mas was maaaaaaaaaaaaad yesterday! I had so much fun on the road with Tribal Knights. The DJ's kept me moving all day, and the performances from Shyann Bailey and Skinny Fabulous turned out to be the icing on my carnival cake.

Had tons of fun with with family and friends, just wish the marshals would have studied the stormers a bit more the people's daughter bam bam and ting. Sadly...we didn't rule the road for Caribana the way we had hoped.


Here's who did!


1. Carnival Nationz - In Full Bloom, Fruits and Flowers
2. Louis Saldenah Mas K Club - A Tribute to Harold Saldenah
3. Toronto Revellers - Brasil, Bacchanal in Rio

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Booster Shot: Caribana King and Queen Results

Mas people!! Lamport stadium was sold out for King and Queen last night. You should have scene people all over Parkdale! Food and flags were selling. Music was pumping! It's here, Caribana is REALLY here.

Congrats to all the bands for putting on a great show last night. Gotta big up my bandleader, Dex Seusahai for taking the top spot as 2009 Caribana King! For all the rest of the results, check out the "unofficial" (just means, uncontested ...raw results as announced) release, courtesy ATC Heirs (official publicists for Caribana)

2009 Scotiabank Caribana ™ King of the Bands

RANK – MAS PORTRAYER – “COSTUME’S NAME” – BAND’s THEME/NAME – MAS BAND (BANDLEADER)

1^st Dexter Seusahai – “King Scarecrow” – BIRDS OF PARADISE – Tribal Knights (Dexter Seusahai)

2^nd Martin Scott-Pascall – Heat Explosion Over Rio De Janeiro” – BRAZIL – BACHANNAL IN RIO – Toronto Revellers (Jamaal Magloire)

3^rd Anton Saldenah – “The Power & The Glory From The Band” –

A TRIBUTE TO HAROLD SALDENAH: THE GOLDEN YEARS – Louis Saldenah Mas-K Club (Louis Saldenah)

2009 Scotiabank Caribana ™ Queen of the Bands

RANK – MAS PORTRAYER – “COSTUME’S NAME” – BAND’s THEME/NAME – MAS BAND (BAND LEADER)

1^st Joella Crichton – “The Source” – IN FULL BLOOM – Carnival Nationz (M. Eustace, B. Aguiton, D. Pitt)

2^nd Carol Cuffie – “The Beauty of Mercury Mist – The Gemstone” – GEM STONES – Connections – TCC (Mervyn Skeete)

3^rd Penne Sutherland – “The Intangible Heritage Goddess of Love” – BRAZIL – BACHANNAL IN RIO – Toronto Revellers (Jamaal Magloire)

2009 Scotiabank Caribana ™ Male Individual of the Year

RANK – MAS PORTRAYER – “COSTUME’S NAME” – BAND’s THEME/NAME – MAS BAND (BAND LEADER)

1^st Mista Meggy - “Bahia Native Dancer” – BRAZIL – BACHANNAL IN RIO – Toronto Revellers (Jamaal Magloire)

2^nd Shane Mungal – “Dance of the Indian Peacock” – BIRDS OF PARADISE – Tribal Knights (Dexter Seusahai)

3^rd (tie) Micah Akal – “Spirit of the Wild” – INTO D WILD – Mas Toronto (Errol & Alicia Achue)

3^rd (tie) Ron Belfon – “Biting Insects” – IN FULL BLOOM – Carnival Nationz (M. Eustace, B. Aguiton, D. Pitt)

2009 Scotiabank Caribana ™ Female Individual of the Year

RANK – MAS PORTRAYER – “COSTUME’S NAME” – BAND’s THEME/NAME – MAS BAND (BANDLEADER)

1^st Alicia Anderson – “Maria, The Samba Dancer” – BRAZIL – BACHANNAL IN RIO – Toronto Revellers (Jamaal Magloire)

2^nd Lisa Mahadeo – “Scarlet Macaw” – BIRDS OF PARADISE – Tribal Knights (Dexter Seusahai)

3^rd Trinelle Alleyne-Gittens – “Iris” – IN FULL BLOOM – Carnival Nationz (M. Eustace, B. Aguiton, D. Pitt)

Love and Mas!

Nurse Karen

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Booster Shot: Caribana Kiddies Carnival Results

Competition time!!!

Here are your unofficial results from the Caribana Junior Carnival parade which took place on Saturday in the Jane-Finch neighbourhood of Toronto.

I passed through briefly, long enough for a few people to wrongly assume that somehow I became the mother of a seven year old boy!

I was very surprised to hear lots of new music from the summer Caribbean carnivals playing. The children gave me a nice little preview of what to expect at the big people parade!!!

Can't wait!!!!

2009 Junior Band of the Year

RANK – 2009 MAS BAND THEME/NAME – MAS BAND

1^st THE GANGES MEETS THE NILE – Callaloo

2^nd IN FULL BLOOM – Carnival Nationz

3^rd (tie) BIRDS OF PARADISE – Tribal Knights

3^rd (tie) DIS-NEE ON THE STREETS OF BRAZIL – Toronto Revellers

2009 Junior King of the Bands

RANK – MAS PORTRAYER, AGE – COSTUME’S NAME – 2009 MAS BAND THEME

1^st Demeko Minott, 13 – Aladdin and the Magic Carpet – DIS-NEE ON THE STREETS OF BRAZIL

2^nd Shane Vincent, 13 – Altamira Oriole – BIRDS OF PARADISE

3^rd Fabian Lee, 8 – Jewel of the Ganges – THE GANGES MEETS THE NILE

2009 Junior Queen of the Bands

RANK – MAS PORTRAYER, AGE – COSTUME’S NAME – 2009 MAS BAND THEME

1^st Paige Lewis, 13 – Botanica – IN FULL BLOOM

2^nd Destynee Charles, 10 – The Guardian of Luxor – THE GANGES MEETS THE NILE

3^rd (tie) Celena Seusahai, 10 – Lesser Birds of Paradise – BIRDS OF PARADISE

3^rd (tie) Akelah Willis, 14 – Cinderella & The Pumpkin Carriage – DIS-NEE ON THE STREETS OF BRAZIL

2009 Junior Male Individual of the Year

RANK – MAS PORTRAYER, AGE – COSTUME’S NAME – 2009 MAS BAND THEME/NAME

1^st Malik Adams, 9 – Cayman Parrot – BIRDS OF PARADISE

2^nd Marvin Lee, 7 – Snake Charmer – THE GANGES MEETS THE NILE

3^rd Jamal James, 14 – The Beast (Beauty & The Beast) – DIS-NEE ON THE STREETS OF BRAZIL

2009 Junior Female Individual of the Year

RANK – MAS PORTRAYER, AGE – COSTUME’S NAME – 2009 MAS BAND THEME/NAME

1^st Shania Cunningham, 10 – Yaruba – DIS IS AFRICA

2^nd Caneisha Edwards, 10 – The Superb Lovebird – BIRDS OF PARADISE

3^rd Anastasia Burton, 12 – Ariel, The Little Mermaid – DIS-NEE ON THE STREETS OF BRAZIL

NOTES:

A panel of volunteer judges adjudicated all contestants/bands using the following criteria: Visual impact (max. 20 marks); Authenticity (10); Creativity (20); Mas on the Move (10); Clarity of Theme (10); Presentation (20); and Craftsmanship (10) for a total of 100 marks. The order of merit is determined by discarding the highest and lowest score per participant.

All junior King, Queen, Male Individual and Female Individual costumes traditionally participate in the (adult) Caribana Parade in their respective parent bands; to be held this year on Saturday, August 1^st, 2009.

Please note, the above unofficial results were provided courtesy of ATC Heir Publicity. Confirmed results will be made available by July 24th, 2009.

Love and Carnival!

Nurse Karen

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DJ's View: Ms DJ Revz on Toronto Revellers Launch 2009

The Soca business is tough on females. The story is the same whether you are an artiste, promoter, or media person like me. I dunno if it's that West Indian men have a hard time believing that we come out to WORK just as hard as they do, or if it's that our natural hottie-hott mystique coaxes out their inner idiots, but one thing is for sure...we have to hold ourselves to an incredibly high standard in order to earn a little respect.

One female DJ, in Toronto raised her stock considerably when she signed on to be one of the official DJ's on the road for NBA player, Jamaal Magloire's oh-so-popular Toronto Revellers mas band. The band that swept Caribana Band of the Year in both 2007 and 2008, boasts 1200 revellers, and now a hot Guyanese-Canadian DJ named Ms DJ REVz!

She attended the 2009 presentation launch of "Brazil, Bacchanal in Rio." Read below to see what she thought of it!

At first thought, it was hard to see how the Toronto Revellers, “The People’s Band” would pull off a 2009 mas that could top their back to back wins as Band of the Year in both 2007 and 2008. Both “Viva Las Vegas” for their 2007 theme and “Alkebu’lan” for 2008 were very extravagant with unique, vibrant and sexy sections that generated quite a following and the ultimate recognition. Knowing that the “Revellers” put on some great shows and come up with some fabulous costumes, I was eagerly waiting for the launch of their 2009 theme. Their website proudly states “Brazil – Bacchanal in Rio will be a shimmering celebration of the colour and vibrance that is Rio Carnaval.” With Caribana just a few months away, soca fetes every weekend and mas camps in full swing, I was practically running out of the car when we got there. I was excited to see the band I would be working with for Soca Summer 2009 and I was in awe of the presentation, of the mas, and of the people that put such a great show together.

The Toronto Revellers band launching was held at “Events and Catering on the Park” at Leslie and Eglinton. When you walk into the huge event room the first thing that jumps out at you is the 50 foot, 2 metre high catwalk that juts out from the enormous stage area. That catwalk was the best thing I set my eyes on all evening and I’m not saying that because I wanted to go up there and walk it myself, even though the thought did come across my mind more than once. The catwalk was a great way of broadcasting the mas to the people. The fact that it was so long and so high gave the masqueraders the opportunity to be more creative in their movements and how they showed off the costumes. We were treated to a Capoeira Brazilian martial-arts dance group and Brazilian Samba dancers at the start of the event.

There are a total of 10 sections and in no particular order, they are “Dingolay”, “El Dorado”, “Pink Pleasure”, “Rio Tempo”, “Samba Dancer”, “Scandalous”, “Aye-Ya-Yaye”, “Heat in de Place”, “Moonlight over Copacabana” and “Soca in Rio”. You can just tell that a lot of work and creativity went into this mas from the bright neon pinks in “Pink Pleasure” to the fiery colours that make up “Heat in de Place”. My personal favourite was “Scandalous”, a costume that is on the slightly skimpy side and has blue and yellow as its main colours. Looking at the mas, you can not help but feel the energy of the masqueraders and of the people who are so hard at work trying to secure that 2009 title.

Soca is in my blood, and this is my second year as an official dj with the “Toronto Revellers”. I was at the mas camp in 2008 every Sunday giving them some soca music while they worked on the mas – and they worked very hard. There was always a friendly smile, always a small chat, and I am honoured and excited to be apart of the 2009 Toronto Revellers presentation. Not only am I working with people who have a passion for what they do, I am working amongst those that are committed to seeing “Bacchanal in Rio” receive the Band of the Year title for three years in a row. Good Luck Revellers! I will be seeing you in the mas camp and on the road!

xoxo
Ms DJ Revz!

For more pictures and information visit:
www.torontorevellers.com
www.toronto-lime.com

DJs on the road:
Ms DJ Revz
Soca Monarchs
DJ Remedy
TNT Sounds
Eternal Vibes

Congrats on the new gig Revz. See you on the road!

Love and Soca,

(Nurse) Karen

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The Rounds: Teddyson John sings with the greats at St. Lucia Jazz

In this edition:

• Soca/Calypso honoured at the 2009 IRAWMA's
• Callaloo and Toronto Revellers launch their 2009 Caribana Presentations
• Teddyson John sings with blues greats at St. Lucia Jazz
• Grenadian calypsonian charged with rape
• Sheldon Benjamin aka Shel Shok in hospital with cancer

Good Evening Soca Lovers,
I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. First, lemme hit you with a big fat Happy Mother’s Day!

Last week, I mentioned that the International Reggae and World Music Awards were taking place in NY during soca therapy. Well, the results are in, so I have to big up one awesome Caribbean mom for her success. Congrats goes out to Alison Hinds for winning the award for Best Calypso/Soca Entertainer.

A handful of other soca related awards were bestowed as well. Machel Montano HD took Most Outstanding Stage Personality and Most Outstanding Show Band. Trinidad’s Calypso Rose won Most Consistent Entertainer. Antigua’s King Short shirt was inducted into the IRAWMA Hall of Fame. the Mighty Sparrow was honoured with the Master of the Caribbean Award, and Vincentian record mogul, Granville Straker received the Martin’s International/Inter-Culture Award of Honor.

Grabbed this shot of Calypso Rose for Toronto-Lime at the 2007 Soca Awards in NY

Back on the home front, Callaloo and Toronto Revellers now join the ranks of mas bands who have unleashed their 2009 themes on the city of Toronto. Marlon Singh’s Callaloo will be parading down the lakeshore with an India and Africa theme called :The Ganges Meets the Nile. All 12 hundred of Jamaal Magloire’s Toronto Revellers will be band # 6 presenting Brasil: Bacchanal in Rio.

With NBA Star and Toronto Reveller's Bandleader Jamaal MaGloire in Toronto, 2008

The big party in the West Indies right now is St. Lucia Jazz. Yesterday, Groovy soca artiste, Teddyson John gave crowds something to talk about when he took the stage to sing the blues. He performed on a bill that included music greats like George Duke, Jeffrey Osborne, and James Ingram.

Posing with Teddyson John in St. Lucia, 2008

Bad news out of Grenada, I mean really bad news. Maybe you’ve heard. The 2008 National Calypso Monarch, 24 year old Biko Lewis has been charged with the rape of a 15 year old girl. It was reported that the victim was on her way to church when the offended offered her a ride. Well, as you might guess, she never made it to her intended destination. Instead she was brought to a secluded location where the act was commited. Now word on sentencing yet, but I personally hope he pays big time.

On a rather somber note, Trinidadian soca producer, Sheldon Benjamin once known as Shel Shok was rushed to the hospital on Thursday due to complications resulting from his fight with Lymph Node Cancer. The 39 year old sample technician who has toured extensively with Destra and Machel Montano over the years has been privately battling the disease since November. But a mild heart attack and breathing difficulties brought his quiet struggle to the public sphere. We at soca therapy offer our sincerest thoughts and prayers out to Sheldon for a speedy and full recovery.

I’m Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. For more information on any of the items mentioned this evening, check out the Nurse Karen Etc blog at triple w dot nurse dash Karen dot com.

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Nurse's Lounge: Tribal Knights 2009 Band Launch - Birds of Paradise

For the last couple Caribana's I've been shaking my tail feathers with Tribal Knights mas band on the road.  In 2009, the theme is gonna be Birds of Paradise, which means I may have actual tail feathers to shake...if I play my cards right.  

The launch was on Saturday at the Wyndham hotel on Yorkland Boulevard (is that in  Scarborough?)  Being that I adore Dexter and Gail Seusahai aka Mr. and Mrs. Tribal Knights.  I knew I had to support.  I wrote up the section descriptions, and was excited to hear what they sounded like all jazzed up in studio, booming over a loud speaker as the models paraded out.  However, I wasn't sure I'd be able to make it since I had Jesse's B-Day Bash first.

So I get a call while I was stuffing my mouth full of some sweet macaroni pie.  Twas Ian Andre Espinet. He's one of Toronto's top Urban club promoters and  happens to also be a new section leader for the band).  He was at the hotel  trying to pull things together for the launch.  Most of the T's were crossed and I's were dotted, all except for one - my I - a.k.a. ME.

A change in plans last week resulted in those little section descriptions I wrote NOT getting recorded.  All was good, except the MC who was hired for the gig was about 4 hours out of town and wouldn't make it back in time.

'Gulp!' There went the last of the macaroni pie. The band needed an emcee.  No more sweet food for me. I skipped to the car in the rain and raced across town for the big debut. 

This year, the new band on the block seems to have scored a few more cool point with Toronto's in-crowd of mas. Tribal Knights gobbled up popular section leaders from Toronto Revellers, including Ian and Brian Espinet, as well as Royette Baptiste and Alain Arthur, from Caribbean Vibrations TV.  Having big promoters in the band like CVR and IAE, plus a partnership with Tamla Matthew's Caribbean Dance Theatre means the public was definitely in the know this time around.

The crowd was steady.  Enforcas, Jester, Jason Chambers handled the music.  Other popular mas bands sent their spies!  The costumes were stunning, and I think the presentation was well received.

If you were there, maybe you can fill me in on the lil drama between the couple ah loud mouths with no behaviour after it was over.  I heard ting about smallies shouting, man flat on floor, and some shark and bake on the wall. 

If you weren't there, never mind THAT!  Doesn't make sense to me either. 

Dunno which bird I am as yet, but I have to share kudos to all who made Saturday night a success. Tribal Knights, you've raised the bar for 2009.  So, naturally a few new people gonna limbp under it.  The more the merrier! 

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The Rounds - August 5, 2007

Good Evening Soca Lovers,

I’m Nurse Karen and these are Doctor Jay’s Rounds. This is it Toronto: Caribana 2007! 40 years of mas in T.O….and we’ve STILL got it.
Congratulations to Jamaal Magloire and the Toronto Revellers Mas band for stopping Carnival Nationz in their tracks. The larger than life presentation of Viva Las Vegas clinched the band of the year title, denying last year’s winners their highly anticipated 3-peat. Instead Carnival Nationz had to settle for 3rd place, right behind longtime favourites, Louis Saldenah’s Mas K Club.
Friday night, the action was at Pan Alive…and there’s no doubt the music was sounding sweet, sweet, sweet. So sweet the judges and them had a hard time picking a winner. In the end, Salah’s Steelpan Academy from Montreal caused a major upset on Toronto turf. Rivals Pan Fantasy, Afropan and New Dimension left Lamport on equal footing, stunned…in a three way tie for second place.
Did you see how pretty the pretty mas was looking on the road yesterday. Sure, all the sexy Toronto men and women could take credit for that. But you really have to big up the bandleaders, mas designers and mas men and women for building some of the most spectacular big costumes Toronto has ever seen. If you were fighting up to get a glimpse on the lakeshore, do yourself a favour and buy yuhself a ticket to the king and queen show next year. That is theatre and pageantry….Masquerade at it’s best. Congratulations to Barokeete Canada’s Joanne Boisson for winning Female Individual of the Year. And Carnival Nationz Kurt Alexander, Tamara Alleyne Gittens, and Rudy Rampersad for winning top prizes for Male Individual, Queen of the Bands and King of the Bands respectively.
For all the bajans and Antiguans who weren’t able to find an outrageously priced flight to this year’s cropover and carnival festivities…let me tell you what you’ve missed. Over in Antigua, they’re celebrating 50 years of Carnival. As predicted last week, Claudetter Peters is once again Soca Monarch and Little Rick was Crowned party monarch last Sunday in BIM. His win was overshadowed, however, by a terrible car crash that claimed the lives of six barbadians on the way to the show. Allyuh remember to be safe on the roads as you enjoy the carnival. We want to see you again next year.
On a lighter note, Mr. Dale was just crowned the Peoples Monarch for Soca Junkie. As the Winner, he earned himself a brand to mazda sedan…The problem is… my man doesn’t exactly know how to drive. But don’t laugh too hard. Since they started giving out cars at these shows, he’s the seventh artiste to win that has no experience behind the wheel. Whappen tu yuh bajan posse…allyuh have the flattest island, with the safest roads…and if they sharing out cars…the least you could do is get a license.
I’m nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s rounds for Caribana 2007. Please text your comments to 9-3-5-9-3-5. Now back to de docta.

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The Rounds - May 11, 2007

Good Evening Soca Lovers,
I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. In case alluyuh missed de memo, today is Mother’s Day! If your moomie is anything like mine, then if you haven’t called by now, you better just be sure have something good for her Christmas. You always hadda remember your mother! So, I want to send a special greeting to the woman who dressed me up in Vincy colours to go down University Avenue. She taught me the words to Rum and Coca-cola. She even taught me how to roll my waist in the kitchen. I’m sending love and thanks to the sweet West Indian woman who showed me how to be both feminine and strong.
To all the mother’s listening, whether or NOT the children you’ve reared are your own. To all the mothers who are no longer with us. Today we salute you!
LAST NIGHT…while we WERE still loving de mommies and dem, the main focus was on something else. Toronto was injected with a healthy dose of carnival fever. Your favourite KOS DJs and Yours Truly were spreading the love to at a score of Band Launches. Maybe you were jamming with Marxman and Callaloo crew over at Palazzo for the Conquest of Alexander. Could be you got a dose of musical medicine from de Doctor. He was bringing his vibe to Jamaal Magloire’s Toronto Revellers when they transformed Shangri-La to Viva Las Vegas. Soca Sweetness lent HIS honey to the brand new Tribal Nights band at the Ramada hotel. And your nurse was there too…administering a little treatment of my own. I also want to big up Louis Saldenah and de Expats who were warming up last night as well. Maybe it’s just me, but I think Summer is almost here.
Springtime in Toronto is the perfect time to get out and do something different. Starting Wednesday, audiences here at home can look forward to a new play from Trinidadian playwright Tony Hall. Twilight Café opens at The Great Hall this Wednesday, but today Director, Rhoma Spencer is here in studio to tell you all about it.
Here in Ontario, Summer unofficially starts with the Victoria Day long weekend. So, if you’re ready to cast off those dark clothes, get a fresh pedicure and a sassy new hair cut...now is the time to get organized. Next Sunday night, be sure and start your summer right! Soca or Die “Take 6 Love” is the only name you need to remember. Where else can you see Nadia Batson, Kes the Band, Kerwin Du Bois, Collie Buddz and Ziggy Ranking. Where else can you hear the entire cast of KOS DJ’s under one roof? Where? Feel free to text me, because I want to know! You MUST get your tickets now, because come next weekend you won’t get any sympathy from me. Betta safe dan sor-ree.
I’m nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Send your comments to soca at FLOW 935 dot com. Now back to de docta!

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The Rounds - May 5, 2007

Good Evening Soca Lovers,

I’m nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds.
It’s been pure CRAZINESS in the world of soca this week, if you ask me. Let me fill you in.
So on Monday, Machel returned to TNT from the Brian Lara farewell party in Barbados. It was finally time to face the press. Last week, if you remember, I told you about some High Definition blows licking out at Zen night club after Winerboy refused dance with a patron when “All dat she wanted was one wine from He”. He says, and I quote: "Firstly I did not burn anyone. Secondly I did not slap anyone. I did not hit anyone with a glass or a cup and definitely I did not knock out anybody." Maybe so, but atleast now we know what the rumours are -- BRAPS!!
Akon, still tekking licks after his indiscretion at Zen a week earlier. Thanks to his caught-on-tape lude conduct on stage with an underage girl, that CONvict is paying in a BIG way. U.S. telecommunications giant, Verizon just pulled the plug on a partnership with Akon, which means they will no longer be sponsoring the Gwen Stefani tour. Akon was supposed to be the opening act. I bet that will make him think twice before giving any young girls a free RIDE to Africa.
Trinidad’s Lyrics King is getting set to release his next album on the VP records label. “Global” will drop on May 22nd, and Bunji Garlin will be in New York from May 13th – 20th, promoting it. In between radio interviews, release parties and in-store appearances, Bunji will make a little time to shoot a video for a song call “Brrt.” at Club TNY and the Riddim Driven Showcase Room in Manhattan.
St. Vincent’s own Bomani, is also in New York putting the finishing touches on his debut album, DEEP, which is set to release in June. The album promises to catalogue his old favourites like Booty Call, Wet and I Am Soca, while giving listeners some new favourites as well. The album will be available through iTunes.
Back in the jewels of the Caribbean, Vincy Mas 2007 was officially lauched yesterday. To commemorate the event, yours truly booked a plane ticket to join in the fun.
Down in Grand Cayman, Batabano carnival came to a climactic CLOSE yesterday. Atlanta’s heats up in three weeks. And in St. Kitts they will be celebrating the Worker’s Day holiday tomorrow with a huge Soca Clash.
Right here at home, if you’re eager for Carnival. We won’t make you wait too long. The 40th anniversary of Caribana is just around the corner. If you want to play mas, check out the band launching. Starting now, they comin’ fast and furious. Next Saturday, Tribal Knights and Jamaal Magloire will be displaying their colours for all to see. Check your favourite online soca news source for details
I’m Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Send me your comments at Soca at FLOW 935 dot com. Now, back to de docta!

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