On De Scene: Reelest8. The beginning.

Hi guys. Is ah real long time ah eh report tuh allyuh, but allyuh know ah does only drop in when ah ha ting tuh talk bout rite.

Last Saturday, 10^th July, ah had de pleasure of hosting de launch ah de newest band in Trinidad & Tobago, Reelest8. (Now allyuh cud play wit dah name all allyuh like buh I feeling it. After hearing dem ah cud honestly say ah feeling de 8 too. (See de name play start (((grins))).

Reelest8 consists of: Bandleader/Producer/Musical Director, Gordon Samuels; Drummer, Kareem Romain; Lead guitarist, Steve Smith; Bassist, Cornelious Francis; Keyboardist, Dale Dolly; Lead Vocalist, Heaven ‘Snakey’ Charles; Female Vocalist, Keisha Stewart; Vocalist, Kenneth 'Kenny' Richards; Sound Engineers, Alvin Dempster and Cerf Stewart.

According to their facebook page (which ah encourage allyuh to join): “Reelest8 is a blend of fresh faces and soca veterans. The foundation of the band is the eight core musicians from the band formerly known as Surface, which was a staple of the soca scene for the last decade. While Reelest8 has its sights set on the long-term, there are fetes they plan to accomplish in the short term. The band will officially launch at Caribana in Toronto, Canada, this July. The band also has bookings in Dubai, London, Miami and Trinidad”. Nice one wid de guys dey man, management: (Kenson King (1-868-462-4757), Keisha ALmorales (1-868-786-2671) and Karen Lowery (1-868-351-7108) can all be contacted to book the band), wukking!

DE BEGINNING: It was ah real nice intimate setting at La casa De Ibiza, with family, friends, fellow artistes and supporters. Now allyuh mus be wondering how dey ha supporters ahready if dey now launching. Stick wid meh nah, is veterans we dealing wid ah say. Some of them stamp dey name in bands like Atlantik, Karibbean Rage, Byron Lee, 3 Veni, even a rock band “5 miles to midnite”, and of course Surface.

Ah announced de band and came off stage to “gape”. Wen Heaven (who I know as Snakey) belted out de first bars of Jah Cure’s Unconditional love, how yuh does say it? He had meh at hello! Snakey has improved drastically, or maybe ah just never hear him wid dem kinda styles, buh he immediately had us ladies eating outa he han wid de emotions he conveyed. His cover of Unconditional love was by far de reelest (pun intended) ah hear so far. He take full control ah de stage and audience, without overdoing it. He set de pace.

Meh girl Keisha Stewart had one up on Rhianna cause ah never ever see Rhi-Rhi perform she own song Rude Boy like dat! Keisha had de right blend of sex appeal, class, and “diva-ish-ness”. She made some moves she must have picked up on one of her many trips abroad, (she has worked in places me eh even reach yet, Malaysia and ting yuh know), cause ah never see Keisha move so before! She looked great. Vocally, she was on POINT

Kenny (ah sorry buh allyuh know ah does keep it real)

Ah tink 2011 cud be de year ah de “underground" unappreciated, Soca artistes cause boy, de guest artistes!!! Well everybody know Terri Lyons, if yuh doh know she yet, 2011!!! All ah go say is if dey (re:de mafia) give Terri room, Terri bringing home even more dan she sister Fayanne bring home.

Buffy! Buffy! Buffy and she antics. She was a pleasant surprise. Whole Carnival ah hearing de tune “man wine up on anything, woman wine up on anything.” Ah really didn’t feel de song eh. My thought was, “wha ish is dat?”. After seeing her perform, my lorsh! I now rate it as one of de better tunes for de past season. An energetic, strong, FULL ON PERFORMANCE! I lovessss her!

Emm em *clears throat*. Ah cud now do de “Swappi”. In my introduction tuh de band, ah happen tuh mention dat ah wanted tuh learn Swappi’s dance. Who tell meh say so? During his performance, Swappi call meh out tuh learn his dance, which ah now realize is de Soca version ah one ah de late great MJ’s. Again, true artiste, rite dong tuh he Soca MJ all white kit (which included white sun glases).

Reelest8 repertoire was de rite mix ah songs, de rite length and come September when de have de official Trinbago launch, AH GO BE DEY! De nite was best!

So if yuh from TO, listen out fuh Reelest8 (soon tuh release 3 tracks). Go out & support dem, it go be best!

Only two tings spoil de nite. One is after all de pictures and videos ah take, ah still eh learn de upload from de BB tuh de blog yet. Steupes (@ mehself). Wat is de point of having de ting if ah cah (refuse tuh take time tuh) learn it? My apologies. De oda is meh girl Rochell K Noel wasn't dey fuh de experience, ah cuda well do wid meh wuk up partner. Buh all kicks aside, de lady ha she priorities straight so ah cah complain. AH STILL MISS YUH ROCHEEEY!

Yes guys, it's really been ah while buh, I is still yuh Keeping it real Trinibagonian.

So wha if some oceans divide us, ah still maintain MUSIC WILL UNITE US!

Blessings and miracles,

Knyxx...

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The Rounds - August 27,2006

Good Evening Soca Lovers,

I’m nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. As I was preparing to come in today, it occurred to me that I’ve never taken the time to tell allyuh how much I care for you and your heatlh. Hear nah, is not just because it’s my job that I’m compassionate. I does really kay in truth. Dr. Jay prides himself on his uncanny ability to make you wine from 6 to 9…and I tell you, that is no simple task. Yuh need real waistline strength for the stamina soca therapy demands. So, you’ve been trained by the best and now it’s time to work on some other skills.
I believe the key to happy living is moderation. There is a time and a place for all things…but never EVER lose control.
Who doesn’t love fried chicken? Tastes nice, feels good in yuh belly…but it would never be healthy no matter how many HERBS and SPICES that Colonel wants to season it with.
Outta Season soca artists have been known to cook up some trouble too. Down in the Spice island, one of this year’s roadmarch contenders was caught in possession of HERBS. Lavaman sang a song called “behave yuhself”…but he forgot to practice what he preaches last week when he and his friends were pulled over after a gun shot was fired at party in Gouyave. Police found a pistol with a spent shell in the chamber…and in his vehicle they found plenty of that WACKY TOBACKY.
Tomorrow is the big road parade in Notting Hill, England. The 42nd annual carnival is the biggest outdoor festival in Europe. Eleven thousand police officers are getting paid join the party. Today the focus was on children. It’s a big party still, but plenty smaller than the mayhem expected for tomorrow. When I think children’s carnival…I picture families, little cuties in costume. Babies balling on stage cuz they fraid to wine fuh judges. Dem tings dey. What I don’t expect is to hear the twenty six people were arrested for drug offences, theft and drunkness. People…what allyuh tink dis is? For carnival it’s ok to get wild, but dat don’t mean you hadda go crazy.

We pushing music here, not schupidity.

I’m hoping the soca lovers in Charleston, South Carolina have a healthy appreciation of West Indian culture without making the same mistakes as some who have been celebrating a while longer. Earlier this month, Charleston celebrated its first Carifest, complete with Steelpan, Mas, soca, reggae and The Mighty Sparrow. Sounds like a good start to what may become and yearly tradition.
Dr. Jay’s Rounds are all about that…culture! I let you know what’s going on everywhere in the world where soca is playing. In this city, so many of us look forward to a weekend of fun and fetes each summer, but many of you know ANYting about what Toronto Caribbean Carnival is really all about.
I want you to think about it. Meditation is good for your health too. After Dr. Jay signs off for the night at 9 pm, turn on the tube for two hours (while you’re listening to SPEX of course!) There’s a special on Omni 1 tonight called “We Jumping Higher”. You’ve got to learn your culture so that no one can take it from you and sell you back a watered down version. When you educate yourself you can keep it organic...authentic and real.
While I’m on that subject I have to raise a noni-juice to Dr. Jay de Soca Prince. Once again, he has been nominated for an International Soca Award. Look for him in the category: Peoples Choic “Best International DJ”. This year’s event will take place at the legendary Apollo theatre in Harlem, NY. The awards show is a not-to-be-missed event. Could you imagine all these people on stage? Kevin Lyttle, Alison Hinds, Machel Montano, Bomani, Claudette Peters, Gail Ann, Keisha Stewart, Lisa Toney, Ragga, Natasha Wilson and Jason Benn! Well you don’t have to imagine. THEY WILL BE THERE. So will Dr. Jay. Here at Soca Therapy, we’re hoping he’ll win the title for the second consecutive year. He works hard to give you the best in soca music while educating you about the culture in pan moments and the rounds.
My last key to a well balanced life is social participation. When you have a chance to have your say…make sure you’re saying something! Voting ends this Thursday, so be sure to remind the world who is the real big man in the business. Cast a vote fuh de man!
I’m nurse Karen and those were Doctor Jay’s rounds. Sned your comments to soca at flow 935 dot com. Now back to de docta.

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