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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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: Porn distributor resigns from radio

In this edition: 

• Curtis Eustace leaves Carnival Nationz
• Jamaica Carnival 2009 cancelled
• Davy Murray resigns from Boom Champions 94.1
• Red Hot Flames about to hire a new female lead vocalist

Good Evening Soca Lovers, I'm Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay's Rounds. Happy Easter! This is the time of year we tend think about cute fluffy bunnies and little chicks being born.  But that stuff just reminds ME of all the little mas bands in Toronto hatching their big ideas for Caribana 2009.  It's band launch season kiddies!  Which means carnival come back again! This year, Dr. Jay has joined forces with veteran title-winning bandleader Louis Saldenah to bring his own section called Crave.  Marxman has signed on again with Tribal Knights, who's portraying the theme, Birds of Paradise.  Jamaal MaGloire's Toronto Revellers invites you to Brazil this year.   And Carnival Nationz?  Well, for the time being, they are saying goodbye to former Bandleader Curtis Eustace.  He's cooked up a brand new band called All Spice.  Check your favourite caribbean websites for details.
      Earlier this week, the daughter of Byron Lee dropped a bomb on the Jamaican media when she announced that Jamaica Carnival would be cancelled this year.  2009 was to be the 20th anniversary of the street jump up founded by her famous dad in the 80's.  She points the finger at the recession for the cancellation, saying 80 per cent of the carnival events do not earn revenue, and a carnival was not viable with waning corporate support.
       To avoid confusion, I want to point out that there are two carnivals in Jamaica.  Bacchanal Jamaica, the more popular offshoot of the original carnival will continue as planned, complete with all the bells and whistles I've been telling you about: the Mas camp concerts, Beach J'ouvert and of course, the parade of the bands!
        This recession ting not easy, yuh know.  But, lucky for you, I know a few places hiring if you happen to be out of work.  Trinidad and Tobago's Boom Champions radio station received a letter of resignation on Thursday from a long time news presenter called Davy Murray.  He's in some serious legal hot water right now after appearing in court Monday on porn charges.  Crazy, yes? Murray is charged with using the internet to distribute naked photos of a female soca artist who used to be pretty popular in Trinidad.  And NO, I'm not telling you who.
       If presenting news isn't your thing, perhaps you'll consider becoming the new lead singer of Antigua's Red Hot Flames!  The popular soca band from the island with a beach for every day of the year is looking for someone to replace Esther Dyer who *cough cough* left the band back in August.  The field has been narrowed to two.  Oungku tells me he's having the hardest time choosing between Florida-based Saffire and Trini-based Bitts...you soca fans have known over the years as Lil Bitts.  He hopes to announce the new leading lady by the end of the month after both candidates get one last chance to come and gig with the band.
      So, that's the kind of week it's been in soca.  One last thing.  Fay Ann finally got paid on Tuesday.  So, I guess the recession missing THAT family.

          I’m Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds.  Satisfy your curiosity about all these News Stories online at the Nurse Karen Etc blog at triple w dot mustard seeds dot net.  Or just follow NurseKaren on twitter to get up to the minute info as it happens.  Now, back to de Docta!

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The Rounds: St. Kitts and Nevis Carnival to Launch at Soca Awards

Good Evening Soca Lovers, I'm Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay's Rounds. News, news, news! Lemme start with the weekend and go back....


Lauded Guyanese cultural singer Lady Guymine was honored this past Friday in Brooklyn. The event was a fundraising benefit to assist the ailing perfomer with her medical needs as she advances in age.

On stage that nightwas a cast of all-star performers from the Caribbean Region including Trinidad's Calypso King Sugar Aloes and St. Vincent's Winston Soso.

Nurse Karen and Winston Soso

Here in Toronto, Tribal Knights Mas Camp was first out the gate with the release of its 2009 Caribana Theme. Mas is tight competition in these parts. These days the newer players in the game are taking no prisoners. You heard it here first: Birds of Paradise. Can't wait to see what Dexter Seusahai has up his sleeves.

The government of St. Kitts and Nevis is getting geared up for Tourism Awareness month in October. It will be a busy time for the twin island state as they host the International Soca Awards. One special highlight of this year's soca awards, will be that is coincides with the official launch of St. Kitts' 2008/2009 carnival season. Which reminds me, If you haven't voted as yet. No time is like the present to log on to triple w dot soca awards dot com to show your support by VOTING for your favourite soca personalities like Dr. Jay!

Nurse Karen and Dr. Jay

Voting is on everybody's mind these days. We have a Federal Election looming here in Canada next month, and the most high profile presidential race ofall time in the US. If you're a soca music lobbyist like me, don't forget tomorrow is your last chance to Vote for who you want to see at Soca Or Die Nine. Dr. Jay will be bringing all manner of artists to Toronto for the big Scorpio Birthday Bash on November 1st. So chose your favourites from Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St.Lucia, St. Vincent, Toronto AND Trinidad and send your top picks to soca at flow 935 dot com or socaprince at hotmail dot com. Speak now, orf orever hold your peace!

Nurse Karen and Shurwayne Winchester

Amidst the hectic onslaught of summer carnival releases some of you may not have paid enough much attention to a very sexy groovy collaboration featuring Shurwayne Winchester and Maxi Priest. Two of the caribbean's most consistent entertainers have teamed up to give us "Make it Yours."

It was released in July, but the video was shot thispast week in T and T. The song was produced by Red Boyz out of Barbados….a production team that is causing major waves throughout the Caribbean. Now you know!

Last but not least... We at Soca Therapy would like to extend belated birthday greetings to Mr. Rupert Clarke AKA Rupee. He started his NEW YEAR at the top of last week.

Rupee hun, I hope it' s not your age what has you singing feet don't fail me now

…and with that…I'm Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay's Rounds. Leave me your comments on the Nurse Karen Etc blog at triple W Dot Mustard Seeds Dot Net, and as always get the rounds podcast to go at Soca Therapy dot Com. Now, back to de Docta!

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The Rounds: Bring your Mas and come! Vincy Mas 2K8 is officially on!

Good Evening Soca Lovers,

I'm Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay's Rounds. I'm finding new respect for the month of May! How can you not love a month that's going to be jam packed with amazing fetes, band launches, and carnival kick-offs? How can you not love a month that has all those things packed into one day?!

Saturday, May 3, marked the birthday of former Xtatik percussionist and vocalist Farmer Nappy. He's busy working on new releases for Barbados' Crop Over Festival.

Last night also marked the first ever Toronto edition of Shal Marshall's signature fete…Gyal Farm…and the girls came out in country and western costume, Daisy Dukes and all. Everybody knows where the ladies go, the gents will follow. So Callaloo mas camp can look forward to several masculine masqueraders in their hot new Gyal Farm section for Caribana 2K8. The section will be headed by Kerwin Du Bois and Shal Marshall, and was designed by Marlon Singh. It features peachy beads and feathers for the girls and straw hats in a matching motif for the boys.

Batabano Carnival wrapped up yesterday in Grand Caymen. Dexter Seusahai from Toronto's Tribal Knights Mas Band made the annual trip to see his beautiful designs hit the road with Swanky International. He'll be back in Toronto soon to launch his presentation of Deep Rising at Soca or Die. The Saturday night portion of the first-ever two-day long fete will feature performances by Destra and Atlantik, Tizzy, Maximus Dan and Kerwin Du Bois.

Yesterday was also the official launch of Vincy Mas. This year's theme is "Bring Yuh MAS And Come!" and all of Kingstown took it to heart. The crowd spilled out of the Chamber of Commerce Car Park for 6 hours as they were treated to all the elements of carnival; pan, calypso, mas and soca. Zoelah reigned supreme at the best new song competition for the second year in a row. She beat out Danielle Veira with her uptempo double entendre, Zoom In. Kevin Lyttle made a brief appearance to premiere his new ragga track "Come See Me" featuring Lexxus. Later, Shaunelle McKenzie brought the house down with her performance of Don't Let Go, a smooth one produced by Mark Cyrus and written by Luta. Dr. Jay gave it a spin last week. The night closed out with performances by Luta, Jalena, Tabia and Fireman Hooper, all backed by the Akcess Band. Don't you just love May?

I'm Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay's Rounds. Please leave your comments at the Nurse Karen Etc blog at triple W dot mustardseeds dot net. Now back to de docta!

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The Rounds - June 10. 2007

Good Evening Soca Lovers, I’m nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Let me start by saying today is THE perfect day on soooo many levels. The sun is glowing like a ripe slice pineapple. The weather nice and about half the West Indians in the city just got a chance to see Machel Montano HD perform live at de Harbourfront. Did I mention that the show was F-R-E-E-?
Ah feelin’ higher dan high, and it’s really no surprise. That carnival feeling has been going real strong all week-end. Tampa, Florida is taking they mas to the road right now, but whether you love soca, meringue or samba, Toronto is DE place!
Last night the Buzzzzz was over at Captain John’s when the K.O.S. family rocked the boat for Soca Sweetness very own annual yellow and black fete. Now that don’t mean is only Asians and Africans get to go, that’s just the colours you had to wear. So, if you found that CONFUSING, I’ll give you two more chances to get your wardrobe right. Say it with me now: Blackout AND….Whiteout. I think you get the point. Tickets are on sale now, so look sharp and fix up.
Dr. Jay de Soca Prince was looking sharp Monday night when he won the Stylus DJ award, for best Soca DJ. That’s twice in two years. Just like when he take home de hardware at the Soca Awards for best INTERNATIONAL DJ two years straight. And guess who’s nominated again! Let the voting begin. Remember we doh call he de Prince fuh nuttin’.
One of St. Vincent’s reigning roadmarch KING’s is getting set to enter the carnival season in royal style. Nookie Man Jamesy P has a new album hitting the streets on June 16th. Look out for “Work of Art” in stores everywhere. The album features the new groove BASHMENT that already has fans at home wondering if another chip-and-wine tune might take the road. I guess we hadda wait and see.
Guyana’s former Soca Monarch KING Adrian Dutchin is looking to extend his kingdom to the blue waters of Bimshire. What I mean to say is Barbados. The cutest crooner ever to call Guyana home will be performing with mega-band Krosfyah for the 2007 Crop Over season. You can hear him do his thing on a track called “Impossible”, that’s currently one of Dr. Jay’s Prescription picks. Take a listen and tell me wey yuh think!
As the vibes keep building steady for Toronto Carnival, is pure excitement! Borokeete International launched their 2007 presentation on Friday, with a little help from the KOS family.
And over at Tribal Knights, I’ve just confirmed that Trinidad’s Power Soca Monarch Iwer George WILL BE ON THE ROAD with the brand new mas band. Iwer, Blazer Dan and a hell-of-lot of DJs! For the latest in Caribana competitive action check the mas camp listings on Toronto-Lime.com
Now back to our lead story. At the top of the rounds I expressed unparalleled jubilation for having seen Machel and he band flatten harbourfront this afternoon. The successful show was a happy ending to a very trying week. After weeks of investigations and press conferences and speculation and rumours, charges were finally laid in regards to the incident at Zen night club in Trinidad. De one involving aggressive partygoers, a spilt drink and a fist fight. Righto! I’ll be the first to tell you Machel eh go want to talk about this so I will. Trinidadian rat pack Machel Montano, Kernal Roberts, Benjai, and Zan were slapped with 5 charges in relation to the events. Bail was granted for the sum of $50 thousand TT for Machel and Zan, $30 Thousand for Benjai, and $25 Thousand for Kernal. The case will hopefully go to trial next month. But guess really eh care? You got it. I just happy I get to do de Jumbie dance this afternoon!
I’m nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Please send your comments to soca a Flow 935 dot com. 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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