Booster Shot: Caribbean artistes sing your holiday favourites

It's my pleasure to let you know about a special project I lent my voice to this summer.  New York's Ma$tamind Productions has just released a Christmas album featuring a multinational cast of Caribbean Artistes singing Christmas classics.  I don't mean songs like "Santa Looking for a Wife", "Anita", or "Soca Santa".  I mean the ones you hear when you're doing your holiday shopping, pumping from the radio stations, and yes, the ones you sing at Church.

You'll get people like:  Kevon Carter, Mista Vybe, Shawn "Da Mastamind" Noel, 2ntrigue,  and more performing your favourites, in their own special way.

In Trinidad with producer Shawn Noel and Business Manager Natasha Andrews-Noel

As for me, I contributed what I know best, an original spoken word piece called "Questions For Mary". It takes a look at the Virgin Mary through modern eyes, and considers what it would have been like to be a young girl saddled with such an important task that no one else really understood.  Da Ma$tamind backed it up with some beautiful music.  And voilà!  Your Nurse is ready for purchase!  LOL...I think that came out wrong.

It's a phenomenal project.  I do hope you will support the initiative by spreading the word, and buying the album. (Actually, for just $8.99 US, you can buy the tracks now by clicking the Amazon.com image and link below)



Happy Holidays!

Nurse Karen

P.S.  For more detail regarding what's on the album, check out this write-up by Mystie Thongs:

 We from the Caribbean Can Sing Too!!!

 Christmas is the one time of year when no one minds hearing the same songs being played over and over again on the radio. In fact for many of us Christmas does not start until we hear our favourite carol being sung beautifully by either an old golden voice like Nat King Cole’s or the latest starlet doing a seasonal cd.

This year, Ma$tamind Productions have decided to give every carol lover exactly what they want but maybe not in the way they are accustomed to having it. Instead of being lulled into the spirit of the season by voices of the outside world Ma$tamind presents A Caribbean Soul Christmas. An album filled with your favourite traditional carols performed by our very own Caribbean artistes, because in their opinion, we in the Caribbean can sing too! And honestly who would know better than them, since they have always worked with the finest artistes, this our very own archipelago of islands, has to offer.

The cast of performers reads like a veritable who’s who in the Caribbean talent pool and just as an extra treat they have chosen to highlight some artistes in a genre and/or in a way they are yet to be formerly known in.

Leading the charge on the something special but different forefront is Nurse Karen from St Vincent, known especially for her soca news segment on Flow 93.5 FM in Toronto. Her emotion-stirring recitation of a poem on the album leaves you simply wanting more.

Lauded vocalists, Naki, Krissy Grant from St. Lucia, Kevon Carter, Audie Hewitt (formerly of famed Trinidadian R&B group H2O Phlo) as well as 2Ntrigue, do not disappoint as they put their own soulful but impressive spin on classics that can make the most ardent follower of old school crooners put Sammy and Old Blue eyes on pause in order to take in the melodious harmonies of these talented young Caribbean singers.

The splendid mix of music does not stop there since on this album, Ma$tamind has invited 3 gentlemen in particular to step outside of their recognized arena to boldly show how skilled they all truly are.

Mista Vybe, usually found tearing up a soca fete, displays his amazing vocal abilities as he slows it all down and simply croons for your listening ear.

Veteran musician/soca guitarist Dean Williams steps out of the background and into his own spotlight playing solo on a carol in a way that raises pores and blows musical imagination, who knew the guitar could sing so sweetly?

Well maybe Kyle Peters might have known. Another solo guitarist on the album he joins the cast as a newbie, but one who is more than able to hold his own amongst these now peers of his. He is one to watch and most definitely pay attention to.

And just when you might think, ok I have gotten my money’s worth Ma$tamind has slipped in just a lil bit extra that will certainly keep you wanting this compilation on repeat all season long.

Joanne ‘Tigress’ Rowley has been known throughout the calypso world as a stirring and strong competitor, for Ma$tamind, she has put aside that competitive vein and taken on the role of soulful matron leading the way for the youngsters, with a powerfully moving rendition of Joy To The World, that makes your eyelids leak freely.

Last but most certainly not least, Shawn ‘Da Ma$tamind’ Noel steps out from his producer booth to sit us all down and school us on just how talented we in the Caribbean are. His producing skills are just one side to him, his strength as a singer, stands out in a way that makes you wonder if we really want that kind of ability sitting in a producing chair and not always onstage with a mic in his hand.

This album promises something for everyone, while each song is sure to reach out and inspire every one of us all, in some way.

With this much talent and ability on display it is no wonder that carol aficionados the world over cannot wait to experience A Caribbean Soul Christmas.  

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On De Scene: LIFELINE, the benefit concert for Sheldon Benjamin

"All these years ah complaining bout the industry not paying meh. Now look how I'm being paid, hmm" That was Sheldon "$hel $hok" Benjamin's response when I asked him how he feels about the benefit concert thrown for him. Looking at him saying this & shaking his head raised my pores...

LIFELINE the concert kicked off (more or less on time) with gospel artiste Russell Leonce. I heard he brought the house down, heard because I was a weee bit late, NOT MY FAULT! (Note to self, shopping list: Digicam, CAR!) De driver was late!!!

Anyhooo, I walked in when H! 2! 0! Phlo! was on stage, they were flowing!!! However, as I looked around, I felt Fridge from the group was justified in asking in his song "where is the love"? I was like yeah whey de love, whey de PEOPLE??? I felt disappointment ooze through my body. Buh guess wha! Dat feeling didn't last long. Trinbagonians just like to bounce in anything late late (bad) & some ah them practically came straight from the airport (good-they came), (T&T v Costa Rica match in Tobago the night before). As I was saying, by 9pm, the place was "ram-ram"( the name of one of the songs Sheldon produced for General Grant).

After the H2 Guys, host Shal Marshall introduced Robert Amar, who was once de Boss man of one of the top 10 recording studios in the world, Caribbean Sound Basin. That was where Sheldon worked when he created de setta hit nah. That studio was home to Kiskidee Caravan. Amar now owns radio 104.7FM and informed the audience that the station was having a "Sheldon night", which is a night dedicated to Sheldon's music, call, request & pledge.

DJ, Host, Presenter for the night, Shal Marshall

He started it off by pledging TT$5,000. on the spot. Another TT$5,000 went into the kitty later on when KMC made his pledge and challenged other Soca artistes. Ah waiting to hear the outcome of that, personally it should have been more-lol. I cah rise to any challenge... did I tell you guys I just bought a hip?

General "Granty" Grant

Every performer & ah not just saying this eh, but every performer MASH UP! Rocky came on after Amar & started the real jam session, he had us singing Gailann's part (cause she was in foreign), while he mocked her wine-lol. General Grant was up next..............O Gosh Granty...hmmm, hmmm, he could have stayed on de stage forever...The rest of the cast were the bands. I will not lie, I could not stay for the entire show so I saw, 3Canal, Boy (Machel) & de HD family, & a bit of Ms Hinds. Ah know real man vex now cause dey cah see pics of Destra's short shorts or de 3 Bumpers: Allison, Saucy, & Destra obsessively winning-LOL. Fellars give me a break nah. I walked, and stood, & posed fuh real long on de hip eh......

3Canal gave their usual outstanding performance . Cutting Crew, their band, REAL cutting! Sound like record & thing.

Machel Montano

The bit I did see of Machel was special. he performed hits, unrealeased hits, played the keyboards, guitar, he geh on, Patrice & de rest of de family was right up dey with him. The concert was FANTASTIC!!! According to Machel, "Big up to all de artistes for coming together to do this. We could always do with more love." I was impressed that the artistes didn't get carried away & kept the night all Sheldon. And we were encouraged in their performances, over & over to say Sheldon's name & send shouts of love & blessings. Soooo looking forward to part two.

Liz "Lady" Montano on behalf of the HD family spent the night to the front of Zen, selling black tees with a picture of Sheldon to the front & some of his hits to the back. That tee real sweet & I encourage you all to purchase one, just contact the HD family. Is only TT$100 & remember the cause.

Marlon Grant. Dancer/Choreographer, Co Host T&T's new show "Dance Off."

I heard that Musicians, performers and DJs in London had their LIFELINE UK yesterday, I wonder how that went.

On a more personal note, I want to publicly thank Sheldon for his inspiration during his difficult time. Recovering from hip replacement surgery can be trying for a person as active as I am & I wouldn't lie, I had my low periods. However, after seeing Sheldon in the hospital, then at home fighting for his life, literally, I thought "wow, I'm so blessed & have so much to be thankful for, why complain?" You know the saying I cried when I had no shoes, then I saw a man with no feet. Yep, that was me...

Thanks to everyone that is supporting with prayers, finance & in every little way. Sheldon's Mum has said to me, the support the family is getting, from transportation to visits to every little detail has been tremendous.

Keep praying guys. We need a miracle...

Part 3 soon...
Bye Socanites,

Oceans may divide us but Soca keeps us together,
Knyxx

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Nurse's Lounge: (Video) Miami and Broward Carnival...see for yourself!

Here's the souvenir I got you from Miami and Broward Carnivals!

Enjoy, and be sure to share with all your friends...

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