The Rounds: Bajan songwriter to open for Beyonce

In this edition:

• Bunji and Fay-Ann give frist concert following the birth of baby Syri
• Happy Birthday Super Jigga TC
• Happy Birthday Skinny Fabulous
• Carnivals; Atlanta, Orlando, San Francisco
• Shontelle Layne to open for Beyonce's UK tour
• Synnnah signs a recording deal

Good Evening Soca Lovers, I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Where were you when Benjai, Bunji Garlin and Fay Ann Lyons gave their first full length soca concert following a historic 2009 Trinidad Carnival season? Me? I-WAS-THERE at I LOVE SOCA...Watching every glorious moment of the much anticipated event. ...As Benjai did his funky dance moves. ....As Bunji literally bounced with jitters to get back on stage as the band 

struck the opening chords. I was there when Fay-Ann made us “Focus” on her fit body, that just 10 weeks ago was fat-and-round-and-pregnant! That show was full of highlights. Big up Dr. Jay for consistently coming through for Toronto with top rate entertainment!

Birthday Boy TC and Moi! (Toronto, 2009)

Yesterday, Trinidad’s Super Jigga TC was marking an historic occasion yesterday too! It was his 32nd birthday! So b-day shouts go south to the DJ, radio and TV personality, host of Synergy Soca star, songwriter and soca artiste! Hope it was wonderful. Speaking of birthdays, St. Vincent’s Skinny Fabulous is revving up for his 26th birthday this Wednesday. He recently wrapped up his penultimate semester at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica, just in time to kick it at home for Vincy Mas! First stop, Atlanta Carnival.

Skinny will be a joining a cast that includes Iwer George, Red Hot Flames, Superblue, and more at Atlanta’s Festival Village next Saturday and Sunday. But, America’s biggest city in the sSuth will be teeming with activity as 3 ( count em) THREE different festival committees host separate Caribbean carnivals over Memorial Day weekend.

The Nurse and the Skinny, (New York, 2008)

A few hours down the I-75, the city of Orlando will be jumping up for carnival too. San Francisco also traditionally celebrates Carnival this time of year. The party continues in 2009, with a decidedly latin feel. So, if you’re looking for soca ...you’re better off on the East Coast.

Bajan singer songwriter, Shontelle Layne will be on a completely different coast from now until at least June 9th. The award-winning soca songwriter, who is turning heads as she launches her career as an R&B diva, will be the opening act for all 15 date of her UK tour. Congrats girl! Knock ‘em dead.

The Grenadian artist who brought us "10 Commandments of a Jab Jab" recently signed with a small US label to make his music available to international audiences. Synnnah will be working with Sam Michaels and Dan Matthews of Klubjumpers. That duo are grammy winners who have worked with the likes of Mariah Carey and Lil Wayne in the past. Synnnah’s new sound will evolve into something more clubby than usual, but he hopes that eventually he will be able to introduce the US market to that real deal type of soca.

I'm Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. For more information, you already know to check me out at Nurse dash Karen dot com. Or follow me – Nurse Karen on Twitter. Now, back to de docta!

Read more...

Booster Shot: Soca snatches hardware at the fourth annual Barbados Music Awards

I truly believe that as a Caribbean people, we have to recognize the talent among our ranks before the world can give us our due credit.  Therefore, it's my pleasure to offer kudos to Barbados for continuing to honour its music artistes at fourth annual Barbados Music Awards, held on Sunday, January 4th. The event took place in Two Mile Hill at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.

Krosfyah at Broward Carnival (October 2008)

This year the awards were dominated by members of two of the islands most celebrated party bands; Square One and Krosfyah.  Newcomers to the soca arena were handsomeley represented by Stabby de Guard who took home the prize for Best New Artist. 

At the head of the pack was former Square One lead vocalist, Andy "Blood" Armstrong, with 5 trophies.  He took home awards for Album of the Year, Best Soca (Uptempo) Single, Soca/Calypso Album of the Year, Best Collaboration with Tarah Holdipp, and a Liftime Achievement Award with the now disbanded Square One.

Ms. Alison Hinds was awarded a platinum certificate for her commercial debut album, Soca Queen.

While Rihanna ain't a soca star, it wouldn't be nice if I didn't tell you that she also copped three awards.  Shontelle Layne was also recognized for her international success with her song "T-Shirt",  but thos ladies weren't on the island for the ceremony.

Krosfyah had an exceptional night as well. Here's the tally. De General, Edwin Yearwood is the proud owner of three BMAs for Best Ragga/Mid-Tempo Soca, Band of the Year and Songwriter of the Year.  

Here I am with the other soca Nurse, Khiomal at Broward Carnival in October 2008

I think one of the sweetest success stories of the night was the naming of reigning Party Monarch, Khiomal as Male Entertainer of the Year. It's hard to carve out a name for oneself when they perform side-by-side with the likes of veteran soca sweet man Edwin Yearwood.  None the less, Khiomal was given as vote of confidence on Sunday that he will not soon forget! He's an entity unto himself with unparalleled energy, a distinct vocal timbre, and a wine that sends female fans completely nuts.  Khiomal, well done!

 My congrats to all awardees and nominess!  Barbados, keep on making top quality music of all genres! ...and I will keep on listening!

Read more...

The Rounds - December 31, 2006

Good Evening Soca Lovers,
I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds for Old Year’s Night 2006. As we move forward to 2007, here are nurse Karen’s top ten tips for success.

1. Make love your priority…
A couple weeks ago Dr. Jay started referring to Bunji Garlin by his wife’s maiden name. Only…she wasn’t his wife yet. The nuptials finally took place last week Saturday...and I’ve heard it was more like an all-inclusive fete than a wedding. Faye-Ann and Bunji sang for their guests and they ate everything from stewed pig, to wild meat. If the amount of food at a wedding is any indication of a couple’s love for each other, this marriage will last forever.

2. Always have a plan.
It looks like Trini Culture Minister Joan Yulle Williams still hasn’t found a suitable Chairperson for the National Carnival Commission with the main event less than two months away. For 2007, do yourselves a favour and plan ahead. Your good reputation is too valuable not to.

3. Aspire to achieve.
Dr. Jay and I believe YOU deserve success in 2007. So, when opportunity knocks, open de door…but only if your house is in order. Bajan singer/songwriter Shontelle Layne was more than ready to answer last week when she signed a 7-album recording contract with Universal/Motown. That’s the label that promotes Damian Marley and Chamillionaire. The young law student at the University of the West Indies won party monarch in 2006 with Nathalee Burke for her song Colours and she also wrote “Roll” for Alison Hinds.

4. Embrace change
If you’re afraid to try something new, take a lesson from Freddie MacGregor. In 2006, the Grammy nominated reggae artist produced his first documentary film…and in 2007 he will be releasing his own soca song featuring Bunji Garlin. If you don’t believe me, check for him on the road in Fun Station 4’s brand new mas band, Pulse8. Freddie will be in a section called “Cocktails: You Shake – We Stir”

5. Act your age
I don’t mean you must act older, just behave bet-ter. Do like Rootsman and use all your success and wisdom from the past to bring you more blessings in the future. Rootsy celebrated 30 years as a calypsonian in 2006, and for 2007 his new tune Soca Jumbie is proving to be one of the most requested new releases for Trini carnival.

6. Pursue your dreams
I grew up in the 80’s, watching the bands go by on University Avenue. I remember music with a message being part of the Caribana soundtrack. I remember wearing t-shirts that said free Mandela, and meh momma telling me not to go in certain stores because they got rich off of Apartheid in South Africa. And so I remember a song called Shaka Shaka that came out in 1988.
If someone were to tell me then, that it would be 19 years before Bally would pursue his music fulltime, I woulda laugh in they face. Well allyuh…when God give you a dream, it’s for you to wake up and live it. Finally, Bally retired from his job at Customs and will be advocating Calypso music as the public relations officer for the Trinidad United Calyposonians Organization.

7. Share your education
When you know something, believe you me there’s someone out there who wants to learn. Finally the Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Education is offering workshops on Soca Music in the school system. Starting Friday, each school can send three students and one teacher for a course on how to become a soca performer, focusing on song lyrics as a tool for reading.

8. Find balance
It’s not easy to have it all….unless yuh some kind of soca prince or someting so. But, if you want the most out of life you have to work hard. Parang Soca songstress Marcia Miranda spent years working as a flight attendant for BWEE while working on her music. So, as you face your trials in the upcoming year - remember…you CAN have it all.

9. Make a lasting impression
You may be young, you may be small, but if you play your cards right, the world will remember you. Look at the Soca Warriors football team. Trinidad is the smallest country to ever play in the FIFA World cup and now two streets in Germany are getting a name change to celebrate that victory. So if you ever make the trip to Rotenburg, meet me at the corner of Trinidad and Tobago. I’m sure you could find some inspiration there.

10. Make time for fun
Our friends in St. Kitts are ringing in the new year at a “Night of Stars Gala and Ball.” Partygoers will be treated to music by Small Axe band and d’Vybz band all night long. Then tomorrow morning they’ll be jumping up through the streets of Basse-Terre…and there’s nothing wrong with that!

I’m nurse Karen, and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds for Old Years night 2006. Have allyuh-selves a good time tonight, and I’ll see you in 2007. Send your comments to SOCA at FLOW 935 DOT COM. Now back to de docta!

Read more...