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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The Rounds - April 4, 2007

Sunday, April 22, 2007
Karen L. Richardson

Good Evening Soca Lovers! I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. This evening, I’ve decided to exercise my civic duty to educate you all about democracy. As your nurse, is not just de health of your body I worry about. I does tink about all kind a ting...like when the sun is shining round and yellow like the middle of a juicy pineapple, you are FREE to go for a little drive and pump up soca therapy loud loud, so everybody would know how happy you are. And last week, it was your RIGHT to curse winter for overstaying it’s welcome. And yuh see what happen when you speak up? Talk done.
It seems like the seasons are changing for West Indies Cricketer Brian Lara too. After seventeen year’s as the team’s premier batsman, the record-breaking 37-year old has called it quits. I know it must be some of you who doh watch cricket. As fuh me, I stopping now. After seventeen years of drooling after that man, I think it’s time I pick up my bot-tom lip and get on with life.
Our very own Dr. Jay is also moving onward and UPWARD, just like we’ve come to expect. The nominations for the 2007 DJ Stylus Awards have just come out - and Dr. Jay has made the list in three categories: Toronto DJ of the Year, Radio Mix Show DJ of the Year, and of course, Soca DJ of de YEAR! Surf on in to S-T-Y-L-U-S GROUP dot C-A to vote.
Our West Indian friends south of the border have now officially begun their campaign to increase their own political participation. The grass roots initiative is called “Soca D Vote” and I first told you about it last year. On April 14th, Trini-born Artist and Producer Nigel Lewis put out a new Soca D’Vote riddim to give a lil spice to de group’s message. With a US presidential election on the horizon for 2008, I gotta big them up for making their sweet voices heard.
Down in Trinidad and Tobago, it’s speculated that the national elections will take place THIS year….and a stellar cast of Calypsonians are armed and ready to mobilize the voters. Randy Glasgow Productions is staging the National POLITICAL Calypso Monarch competition, and some of the republic’s best have signed on to compete. So look out Cro Cro, Cardinal, Pink Panther and Aloes….the Calypso King of the World just confirmed that he will be throwing his hat into the row. But forget the competition, I feel sorry for the political candidates. Nothing stings worse than a tongue lashing from a calypsonian. It’s not forgotten like yesterday’s news, eh. Dat is a cuss that could grow into a public flogging with thousands of voices beating you steady as they sing along to de chune, over and over. Now, DAT is democracy!
I’m nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. This week, text me your comments at 9-3-5-9-3-5. Your input is your impact. Now back to de docta!

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The Rounds - July 23, 2006

Good Evening Soca Lovers! I’m nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds.
St. Lucia Carnival came to a close on Tuesday after a hectic season of competitions and two days of Mas. I want to big up all the Lucian posse on the outside…and beg you a special favour too. You see how I does always tell allyuh to send comments every week. Do me a favour and send me some comments nah man!
Last week I told the soca faithful that Trinidad doesn’t compete in the OECS soca monarch competition because it’s not an Eastern Caribbean State. Well, I’m sure you could imagine my surprise when I read the news on Monday only to find out that Trinidad’s Mista Vybe won the competition this year. Well, better late than never as they say. For 2006, the annual international soca monarch show was renamed “Caribbean Soca Monarch” to allow for entries from countries outside the OECS. My source (which shall remain nameless) listed Mista Vybe as a special guest…not a competitor. But he most certainly was! A delegate who was not competing as a the reigning soca champion in his home country managed to beat out a cast of international heroes. So, don’t be surprised if “Ting for de road” makes a special resurgence for Caribana…just remember you heard it here first.
R&B newcomer Ne-Yo had a big concert in Barbados this weekend. That may not seem like a big deal to most of you. But if you know anything about carnival in the Caribbean, you know that it’s pretty much a taboo for any music that falls outside the realm of soca, pan and calypso to be heard anywhere during festival time. Well, the promoters didn’t completely lose they sense. The opening acts ( Edwin, Satement, Hypasounds and Don Trent) are all homegrown bajans…singing soca – but of course.
West Indies Cricket Star Brian Lara has big plans for Cropover too. I hear the best looking man in white just leased himself an exclusive plantation in Barbados to host a Cropover party that will cost $200 a head to get in.
We’ve seen a break in the weather over the last few days. But don’t get ahead of yourself. We have by no means passed the hottest part of summer. Caribana is now officially upon us and the competition is on. Yesterday afternoon Marlon Singh’s Callaloo Mas camp brought home the first victory of the season. Jr. Callaloo’s presentation of Exotic Species won Band of the year at Kiddie Carnival for the third consecutive year.
Personally, I like to team up with winners myself …why else would I join the best international soca dj Dr. Jay de Soca Prince every Sunday to give you SWEET Soca Therapy? That being said…I took a long time to decide…but this year, your resident nurse Karen will be adding some of her own hot pepper to de Callaloo. Come Caribana Saturday look for Dr. Jay spinning tunes on the big truck…and you can find me jumping in de band. I think we could take it this year.
I’m nurse Karen and those are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Puhlease…send me your comments at SOCA AT FLOW 9 3 5 DOT COM. Now back to de docta…

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