The Rounds: Machel Montano to Release a new album on Delicious

Good Evening Soca Lovers,

I'm Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay's Rounds. Happy Easter. Today marks the beginning of the official carnival week in Jamaica. With Lent behind us, our friends in Jamaica have no excuse not to indulge in the fullness of the season. Next Saturday morning is a beachside j'ouvert like no other. Then it's time to don all the pretty costumes next Sunday.

Theatre-goers in Trinidad got a special treat from the Easter bunny at Queen's Hall this weekend. A trini-verson of the Grease musical opened on Thursday. Danny Zuko's gang has changed from the Burger Boys to the Roti Boys, and Sandy Digregorio becomes Sandy Beach. Most of the songs from the original production have stayed the same, but naturally, the rhythms have evolved from 1950's rock and roll to soca and chutney.

A date has been set for the 27th annual International Reggae and World Music awards. The show goes back to New York's Apollo Theatre in Harlem on May 4th. There's not much soca being recognized, however, Machel Montano makes the list with three nominations.

Speaking of Machel Montano, if you missed his twenty-fifth anniversary performance last year at New York's Madison Square Garden. You're in luck! He'll giving two more shows on March 28th in the same world-calss venue at 8pm and 12 am. This year, the amazing production goes beyond all things HD to include a host of guest performers, including international favourites who made a splash at Trinidad's Carnival. With 2008 hits like Congoman and Oil and Music, naturally The Mighty Sparrow and David Rudder had to come along for the ride. But that's not it! Jamaica's Macka Diamond will be there to perform Mo Wuk with Patrice Roberts. Peter Ram will bring the carnival bacchanal of Crop Over with "Pumpin'", while St. Lucia's Rikki T and St. Vincent's Problem Child are gonna represent the Windward Islands with their road march winning anthems.

It's perfect timing for a show of this magnitude. Machel's got a new album dropping in April!

I understand that might be confusing if you're in Trinidad and you've already been pumping the Flame On album since February. I'm not sure how much this new offering will differ from his catalogue of 2008 soca hits, but it WILL soon be released internationally on the Delicious Vinyl label. It's called Wining Season. Boasting the Shaggy remix of the title track, plus Defense - Machel's remake of Lil Jon and Pitbull's 2007 reggaeton song The Anthem, there's hope this latest release will have some crossover appeal.

I'm Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay's Rounds. Be sure to leave me your comments at the Nurse Karen Etc blog at triple W dot mustard seeds dot net! Now back to de doctor.

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Booster Shot: Take a Trip With Me to Trinidad (Video)

If you bounced me in Trinidad for Carnival, you likely saw me grabbing little clips of everything. Somehow, I lost half of them - but the rest are edited into a nice little mini-movie for your pleasure.

See if you can spot yourself...or any of your favorite soca stars.

Ready to take a trip with me to Trinidad?

Click Here ---->

*** remember, there are lots more videos where that came from. search "mustardseedk" on YouTube, for a complete list!

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Booster Shot: Fantastic Friday at Girl Power

So, let me start with and apology. All year long you hear me on air talking about soca monarch and party monarch competitions from all over the globe. Any kind of monarch really, Chutney, Calypso...what can I say? I'm obsessed with the monarchy.

Well I here in Trinidad for Carnival 2k8, and guess where I didn't go tonight? Don't actually guess...that's what they call a rhetorical question. Instead, de ladies and me niced up ourselves to party with Island People at Girl Power.



Parking was a headache and a half. Alas, we made it to the VIP gate and got in. I immediately spotted D'Bandit and a big crew from Toronto...and ruined their perfectly good picture. Then, I was all alone. I lost all 6 of the other girls I came with. You know what that means? I had to go for my first Bailey's alone.

Saucy Wow was on stage, singing her rude girl anthem. She picked the smallest lil man from the crown to kill him with de wine. Ah fine she killing me these days too. Denise, what to say, really? I love your big smile, your big voice, your big bam bam...I ain't mad. I especially love your "don't care" attitude. So, I hope you don't care when I say tight does not = sexy.

Destra and Atlantik had next. She have some really eye candy in that band. Num num. At this point, I met up with the girls and we had a premium spot to the right of the stage. I looked up and I saw gold sequined hot pants reflect all manner of light. She sang the old favourites...as her secret weapon writing buddy Kernal Roberts looked on from back stage.



He and Machel greeted me with smiles and kisses to welcome me to Trinidad. Sean Paul and Ms. Garcia did they wine up thing again. And the Rider girls really crushed a very happy man...bouncing in the sky and ting. All of that makes for a nice lil presentation..but the real highlight of the show was a petite Antiguan ball of fire by the name of Tizzy. When she ran on stage, it was all style, class, elegance and talent. She's got a command of the crowd that is intensifying each time I see her perform. I feel like her performance of Expose was the first one to really get that crowd away from the bar and the food tents for a few minutes. Congrats Tizzy! She must have come straight from the Groovy Soca Monarch Show. I have no idea why Atlantik didn't use "Show Dem What You Have" in their shows. It's a big tune on the radio...and it's the one that got baby girl into the finals. But none the less, she worked the hell out of her 5 minutes!

Content on some stew beef, mashed potatos and salad...I decided to check out the General Admission side to find a few friends. Much to my surprise...the other side was more spacious, and had a better view. So, that's where I parked it till the sun came up. Kes the Band, gave a wonderful show. Nadia was cool and relaxed in her black tee and jeans. Kees stripped down, just to remind the girls why he's such a hottie...and finally...I relaxed and took a wine.

The last band of the night was Machel Montano HD. They still on that HD ting for 2K8? At once the liquor must have kicked in...cuz the crowd was finally ready to party. I'm sure this was about 4 am. Farmer Nappy, Patrice, Machel...and even Ricky T got exactly one minute to bring de pressure before the fete shut down. It was rags and flags and glow sticks...and jamishness. As the sun began to rise over Jenny's car park, I turned around and saw two family-ar faces wining like they on vacation! Marxman and Soca Sweetness from the Kingdom of Soca and Soca Therapy took a break from DJ duties that night to enjoy Girl Power. (Now why they calling it that again?)



Police tell Machel to stop..and de party stop. Ran into Lil Bitts on the way out...visited all the performers to share some kudos. If you see how hard they work during this season. And to think those boys were still looking to lime. Not me. time for bed.



I'm Nurse Karen and that's your Booster Shot! Next stop Maracas Bay...

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