The Rounds: Rudder gets patriotic with Bunji and Faye-Ann

Good Evening Soca Lovers,

I'm Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay's Rounds. I don't mean to start off with bad news, but it just occurred to me that for all the students listening. The start of the school year is just a little more than a week away.

In Trinidad with Shawn "Ma$tamind" Noel and Natasha Andrews Noel (February 2008)

But don't let that depress you. These days school is full of all sorts of wonders! For instance, Brooklyn New York's Coskel University is sponsoring the last of their summertime soca unplugged series tonight. The event is called De Tamarind Seed Sessions. Throughout the warm months it has played host to people like Shawn Mastamind Noel, Kevon Carter and Trinity....but tonight it's all about learning your history. Dane Gulston will educate the people on pan, and music legends like Crazy, Black Stalin and Lord Nelson will all join the jam session.

Take a look at the video I compiled from Labour Day Carnival 2007. I also attended the 4th annual ISO Soca Awards. You'll notice clips featuring Crazy and Trinity as well as Dane Gulstan on pan...

From History we move to Civics. How many of you know that Trindad and Tobago became and independent republic on August 31st, 1962? That means next Sunday marks the 46th anniversary.

Down in Trinidad, Ian Wiltshire of Island Style Music thought of the perfect way to mark the occasion. He got David Rudder, Faye-Ann Lyons and Bunji Garlin in studio to record a patriotic new song called "3 Colours"

Your "Nurse" with Bunji and Faye-Ann in St. Vincent (July 2008)

Some of you know Ian as the man behind the international Glow carnival fetes and annual Glow soundtracks. This past year, Ian decided to take a break from releasing a new Glow album due to decresing soca music sales across the board. His Canadian distributor (JBS records) wasn't so happy about this and convinced him to compile a "best of" album instead. Well we all know how those things go…all your favourite hits, plus a couple of updated remixes for good measure. 3 colours actually started off as a 2008 refix of Trini 2o de Bone. But lo and behold when creative people get together, innovations are bound to happen. It was co-produced by Ian Wiltshire, Ibo Joseph and Alan Brizan.

There's yet one more surprize in store when the song comes out this week. Ian tells me the intro and samples feature an iconic voice from Trinidad's past. He won't say who…but if you find any political figures listed in the multiple choice, that would be my guess!

Still with me students? Time for Geography. Soca Summer has landed firmly on London England this weekend for Notting Hill Carnival. Everybody's over there…well, except for me this year.

<
Nurse Karen goes to London and Notting Hill Carnival (2007)

<

But that's OK, next weekend when the action moves to New York, so do I! It's all about the Brooklyn West Indian Day Parade. And after Labour Day, my young musical apprentices, it's time to hang up the dancing shoes and study your books!

Enjoying the vibes on Labor Day Monday 2007

I'm Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay's Rounds. Please leave me your comments online at the Nurse Karen Etc blog at triple w dot mustardseeds dot net. Never miss a beat when it comes to soca news….download The Rounds Podcast at Soca Therapy dot com.

Read more...

The Rounds - September 9, 2007

Dr. Jay’s Rounds
September 8, 2007


Good Evening Soca Lovers…I’m Nurse Karen and ah finally back with Doctor Jay’s Rounds. Long time nuh talk Toronto. If you missed me over the last two weeks…I was busy administering a little soca therapy to the people of London England and Brooklyn, New York. I packed up my bag with rags and flags and short pants and took the pulse of soca city overseas. First stop Notting Hill…a decidedly affluent section of west London that was transformed into party central two weekends ago. Sunday morning was an event called chocolate mas which is a j’ouvert like no other. It real dutty…and plenty sweet. No mud, no paint, no powder just sticky wet chocolate syrup. All in yuh hair, in yuh clothes and on de street. Later on is what they calling Children’s day. I’m still trying to figure out why! The area is packed up with sound systems in every corner. I was hearing everything from Dancehall, to Hip Hop, funk, disco, house, and techno…but if you think sumting missing you RIGHT. Two things actually - Soca and well, Children! Big people took over the streets very early on - Getting drunk and belligerent de lil pickney were nowhere to be seen. Tisk tisk England…whappen tuh yuh?! Well, our bri-ish cousins made up for their folly on Monday with the 43rd annual grand parade. I played mas with Poison UK…and dat was bacchanal. Dr. Jay…I was missing you bad, ya kna. Even though DJ Spice was doing a great job handling de music on the road, It was easy to see that the crowds in England eh quite up to de time when it comes to soca music. So I found myself MOVIN TO DE LEFT and FOLLOWING DE LEADER more often than I’d like to admit. None de less….it was pressure. Hypa Hoppa was looking mischievous in his school uniform…Umba de Shepherd was wining pon speaker box. And de rest o’ we were in Malibu Paradise under a Pinapple Sun!
Nurse Karen had to leave the band around 6 o’clock for a live carnival broadcast on BBC 1xtra. That’s London’s home of New Black Music. I got a chance to big up Toronto’s impressive cast of DJ’s, promoters and bandleaders for making Caribana one of the best Caribbean carnivals outside of the West Indies. The beautiful bajan host of international sounds of soca, Miss Alex Jordan say to tell allyuh hello.

Click below to suss out my edited video from London England and Notting Hill Carnival.

I getting to New York just now…but I would be amiss not to mention some exiting things happening this weekend. Besides the fact that it’s carnival weekend in Baltimore Maryland, Soca history was made in Cuba on Friday. Machel Montano took the HD show to the communist nation, packing out the Karl Marx theatre in Havana.
Last Weekend I was jet setting from heath row to JFK. 5 hours time difference fast forwarded me directly into the New York carnival action. My usual labor day limes consist of boat rides and block parties, but I kept it real simple this time. Last Sunday, I was rocking a pair of 4 inch raspberry stilettos for the 5th annual SAO international soca awards. Kudos…to CJ and the organizing committee for making an effort to recognize the breadth of talent across this art form, but it’s obvious the event lost some credibility after the 11th hour venue change fiasco last year. The event that had been scheduled for the Apollo theatre, got shuffled all the way to club Tobago in queens…a place with plenty vibes, but not what I would call Black Tie sophistication. So RUM JUNGLE was the spot this year, with the likes of Tizzy and EL A CREW, Biggie Irie, Lil Rick and Peter Ram gracing the white carpet. Inside Ajamu, Crazy, Nnika Francis and Skarpyon all took home hardware. But…most of the de trini artistes and dem were noticeably absent. Special congratulations go out to Toronto-Lime dot COM for winning best soca info website two years straight. I took to the stage to pick up the hardware on they behalf. And Toronto-Lime is exactly where you need to go to check out the complete list of winners.
After the show, I got all oiled down to jump up with the wildest j’ouvert band in New York. You better believe I dey with my Greenz crew. I love how allyuh bazodee. There was one guy who kept pulling down he boxer briefs as he chippin’…I was having trouble following the political commentary in dat! I closed out the weekend on the parkway running up and down to catch every band. Nice to see Allison Hinds roll it as she gets ready to drop her first solo album in November. The Haiti crew was unstoppable with the loudest trucks on the road. I, was on the last of 3 vincy trucks, enjoying the view. Big up to Soca Jones and Vincy foreign based for giving me a front row seat to see Bomani, Jamesy P and Problem Child perform for the estimated 3 milion people at the parade.


And with that, I kissed the summer vacation behind…and hauled MY behind back to Toronto. I’m nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Please send text me your comments to 9-3-5-9-3-5, now back to de Docta!

Click below to see my edited video from the SAO Soca Awards and the Brooklyn West Indian Day Parade.

Read more...

The Rounds - April 15, 2007

Good Evening Soca Lovers,
I’m nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds.
After last week’s Big People Special Edition of Soca therapy, I have been digging deep in the dark vinyl crates of Calypso I grew up on. Jewels, ah tell you. We music sweet, and is not just Caribbean people who think so, you know.
People from all over the world have fallen in love with sweet calypso music and desire to share it just as soon as they do. That was happening at the ReelWorld film festival this weekend when “Calypso at Dirty Jim’s” was finally screened in Toronto. If you remember, I first told you about this when it was screened in Trinidad and then again when it played at Montreal’s Vues D’Afrique Festival. Dirty Jim’s Swizzle club was a legendary Calypso venue, and Cameroonian filmmaker Pascale Obolo found a way to make its memories last forever.
Last week Thursday was all about Calypso on film too. The Caribbean Studies program at U of T brought “Calypso Dreams” to Canada. It’s a 90-minute documentary directed by American filmmakers Geoffrey Dunn and Michael Horne. It stars The Mighty Sparrow, David Rudder, Calypso Rose, and Crazy and Scrunter and so many more…and if you missed it – it’s gone. No to fear, in August the film will be screened again at the Harbourfront Centre in a show that will feature Lord Superior, Brother Valentino and Singing Sandra.
Thankfully, filmmakers in the Caribbean are making movies too. I’m told, the Bridgetown Film Festival will kick off in Barbados from April 28th, to May 6th. 2007 will be the second year ever, and it’s grown so much already. Last year, all of the feature-length movies just happened to be produced by members of the organizing film group. This year, they steppin’ up. Entries came in from Antigua, St. Lucia, Grenada, Guyana, Trinidad and Jamaica.
On Friday, the Mighty Sparrow he-self was fighting for HIS music on the political plain. He paid a visit to Mayor Kenneth Ferguson and the San Fernando City Council. He’s wants to reform the way that calypso competitions are judged.
Another Trini living legend just got news he’ll be co-hosting the 26th annual Reggae and World Music Awards. On May 5th, Machel Montano and Doug E Fresh will be sharing the stage at Harlem’s Apollo Theatre. If anyone has tickets to THIS show, gih de nurse a call. Oprah and Bono will be receiving humanitarian awards that night…and just like our music, the list of nominees is legendary.
I’m nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Please send your comments to SOCA @ FLOW 935 dot com. Now, back to de docta.



Machel Montano
T&T’s Soca sensation Machel Montano and hip hop pioneer Doug E. Fresh will host the 26th International Reggae & World Music Awards (IRAWMA) at the world famous Apollo Theater on Saturday, May 5th.


Also hosts and performing nominees for the night are Doug E. Fresh, Machel Montano, Luciano, Macka Diamond, Ce’Cile, Lady G, Gregory Isaacs, Tarrus Riley, Leon & The Peoples, Half Pint, B.B. Seaton & the Gaylads, Tony Matterhorn, Alaine, Dean Fraser, Gyptian, Da’Ville, Ruff Stuff, Katalys Crew, Mutabaruka, Ed Robinson, Winsome Benjamin, among others.

The official announcement of the nominees was released during recent press conference held at the world-famous Apollo Theater in New York by Martin’s International and Associates.


More than 150 entertainers and music industry professionals are nominated for the coveted IRAWMA, while others have been selected for special awards by music industry experts across the globe. Among the leading nominees are: Sean Paul and Buju Banton with nine (9) nominations each; Baby Cham six (6); Gyptian, Tanya Stephens and sound selector turned performer Tony Matterhorn with five (5) each; and Luciano four nods.


Oprah Winfrey and International Pop/Rock Star Bono will be given the Marcus Garvey Humanitarian Award. Inductees to the IRAWMA Hall of Fame will be Boris Gardner and B.B. Seaton & the Gaylads.

Special Martin’s International and Associates Award of Honor will be given to:
Edmond “Bunny” Lee (King Jammy’s), Ed Robinson (E2 Recordings) and Don One Records. Special Producer’s Respect Award will be given to: Doug E. Fresh, Gregory Isaacs and Half Pint. Special Award of Appreciation will be awarded to: Winston “Niney” Holiness, Jerome Hamilton, WBLS 107.5 FM with Dahved Levy, Lorna Wainwright (Tuff Gong), Bobby (Culture Jam WVIP 93.5FM), and Dave Clark (Friends of Reggae).

Bacchanal season turns into home stretch
Friday, April 13, 2007

With four days until the climactic road march on Sunday, Bacchanal Jamaica is coming to an end for 2007, but this will be preceded, as customary, by the Bacchanal J'ouvert.
With the success of last weekend's Beach J'ouvert still fresh in the minds of many, attention is now being focussed on the final round of fetes leading into tonight's Bacchanal J'ouvert at the Mas Camp on Oxford. Bacchanal J'ouvert, with the theme Jonkanoo Jams, is presented in partnership with Coca -Cola DJ Switch from Trinidad and DJ Omar from 'resident' disco Sparkles will be providing the musical selections while Destra and her band Atlantik return to hold down the live end of the night and put revellers in a soca march mode.
The party starts at 10:00 pm and continues til morning. During that time, it will move to the streets, where revelers dance, sing and get painted til the wee hours of the morning.
Then the highly anticipated road parade,with performances by various local and international artistes. The road will be filled with beautiful colours, great music and happy people celebrating together. The Parade starts at 10:15am and ends around 6:30pm at the Mas Camp.
Of special note, the organisers say, is that there will be no after-fete at the Mas Camp this year. The Mas Camp will close at 8:00 pm after a brief cool-down period.

Read more...

The Rounds - February 11, 2007

Good Evening Soca Lovers,
I’m nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s rounds. In case you’re still catching on, Dr. Jay done gone and lef we, for greener pastures…lit-er-al-ly. Instead of making you wine from 6 to 9, he’s off in Trinidad entertaining an entire country in a sleep deprived, drunken stupor. …and you better believe, I am well jealous. It’s alright -- this Sunday you’re among friends. You’ve got the one called Spex from de Riddim Track, plus Marxman AND Soca Sweetness of the Kingdom of Soca to keep your warm tonight.
And I tellyuh ladies, dat is not a bad deal at all right before Valentine’s day. So it may not be 30 degrees n’ Sunny in Toronto, but we definitely have some lovely reasons to smile.
Last Sunday was the International Power Soca and Groovy Soca Semi-Finals in Trinidad. Hear nah, every country in the West Indies has a Soca Monarch or Party Monarch or King or Queen or Some-Ting-So, but let’s face it… The international Soca Monarch Competition of Trinidad and Tobago is the most important competitive stage in the soca world! Besides the fact that Trinidad is the birth place of the art form, forget the fact that Trini carnival is the biggest in the region. This thing REALLY matters because up here in Toronto we are going to have to listen to the winning songs over and over and over again at every single soca fete between now…and Caribana.
So let the judges be warned. Allyuh can’t afford to make mistakes.
Now sometimes the competition is international in name alone, but this year was surely different. Minmi from Japan secured a spot in the Power Final for “Sha-na-na”…de Japanese wine ting, so did Barbados’ Barry Chandler.
In the Groovy section, Grenada’s Nnika Francis hopes to croon her way to the top. But to do that, she will have out-sing the BAJAN to be beat! Biggie IRIE came up with the top score and he .. .”Nah Goin Home”…till carnival DONE!
I know there has to be someone out there wondering how “dis bold face vincy gyul go be talking about de Soca Monarch race in TRINIDAD” without mentioning how the Trini artists fared on their home turf.
Two words: NADIA BATSON. If you were at Soca or Die 4 last year, you saw her command the STAGE with Kes the Band. If you were at Soca or Die 5, you saw her command the CROWD with the Big Artist Crew. If you were at Hasley Crawford Stadium on Sunday night you would have seen her command the judges with her performance of “My Land” featuring Kees Dieffenthaller which earned her a first place finish in the Power Soca Semis. Your Caribbean, Your Caribean,Your Caribbean Girl was not satisfied with just one victory, yuh know. On the groovy side, Miss Batson scored just three points behind Biggie Irie for an impressive second place. I had a chat with Nadia this week…and if you want to know more, you can check out the article on Torontolime.com
The finals take place this Friday night, when Shurwayne Winchester will defend the crown in both categories. It’s gonna be an amazing show with veterans like Crazy and first time competitors like Mr. Slaughter and everything in between.
Check fuh meh next week, and I promise to fill you in.
I’m nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s rounds. Send your comments to SOCA at FLOW 935 dot com. Or send me chocolate and roses to the station. Spex dahlin’….back to you.

Read more...

The Rounds - January 21, 2007

Good Evening Soca Lovers,
I’m nurse Karen and these are Doctor Jay’s rounds. It’s great to be back here at Flow after a much needed vacation. The last two Sundays I was liming on de beach with toda mi gente latina en Santo Domingo, but trust me, allyuh were on my mind. Now…I am back AND black and ready to roll.



I hear that Doctor Jay can’t stop talking about de big Doh Cry fete that is nearly sold out once again. He could tell you “Doh Cry” all he wants, but I feel is cry you go cry when you realize exactly what the man is leavin you for. Trinidad carnival season is upon us, and in case you live under a rock it is one of the best shows on earth. A couple hot weeks of music and madness, beauty and pageantry that really can’t be beat.

Down in the twin island republic, fresh new soca music is blazing up the dancehalls and airwaves. Every DAY is news. Rita Jones break way from Roy Cape All-Stars. Rikki jai is competing for Chutney monarch after a three year absence. Artistes are scratching their heads for new ways to catapult themselves to popularity and mas camps are busy building costumes for thousands of revelers from home and abroad. Doh cry? You mad or wha? Doctor Jay has a first class ticket to paradise, while de rest ah we go get lef back in de snow.

This past week Trinidad’s national library system launched a program called Lyrics and Song that will bring soca stars into the library to speak to youth about social issues. Kees Dieffenthaller and Nadia Batson of Kes the Band were first up to bat and Alison Hinds, Destra and Maximus Dan will be taking their turns over the next four weeks. The first session dealt with HIV/AIDS education, warning youth not to be completely dotish during carnival. They spoke on the theme, if you dream it, you can achieve it. And I really believe that, which is why I hay dreaming about Port of Spain.

You every wonder who is the J’ouvert Fiddler? Do you remember that instrumental track from Carnival 2006? Better yet, over Christmas were you curious to know who were the parangderos who pumped out “Black Cake and Sorrel”? If you look on the back of those CDs, the songs are credited to “Da SPIRITS”, but who are the Spirits, really? People who talk soca with me know that I have a lot of respect for the producers….the sound men who pull all the elements together to make a song sound just right. I’m sure you could tell - I’m a huge fan of Shawn Mastamind Noel. Well, on Thursday Mr. Noel let the cat out the bag issuing a release identifying himself as THE sole instrumentalist on those masterpiece works. Shawn dahlin, If I WAS wearing a hat, I would take it off to you right now. Your music sweet, sweet and nice.
One of the most anticipated events when it comes to carnival music is the 2007 International Soca Monarch and Groovy Soca Monarch competition. Last year, Shurwayne Winchester marched off with both the crowns and all de money…only time will tell if he can do it again.
What I CAN say now is the organizers are making some changes to make the show even better this go round. More than $8 million dollars TT is committed to producing one unforgettable night. It also makes me feel nice that veteran music man Crazy intends to compete with the young bucks in the groovy section with his sexy hit “Cold Sweat”

MTV Europe has signed on to broadcast both competitions as well as other snippets from carnival. The groovy soca show will feature 10 finalists rather than six and the guest acts will be Machel, KMC, Destra and Beenie Man.

So, what to say friends? …it’s official Doctor Jay is soon leaving for Carnival, but Doh Cry. You could get a taste of the carnival action at Doh Cry Ah Leaving 12 on Saturday, February 3rd. Doh Cry, but Doh stick…tickets nearly DONE sell off.

I’m nurse Karen and those are Doctor Jay’s Rounds. Send me your comments at SOCA at FLOW 935 dot COM. Now back to de doctor…

Read more...