Machel declares “Wining Season” open in New York

Scores of Soca-loving fans remained at the WaMu Theatre in Madison Square Garden until the wee hours of last Saturday morning in order to experience a double dose of "Machel Montano and Friends". Montano declared "Wining Season" to be open in the city of New York last Friday night, as he delivered two enthralling performances back-to-back at the world-famous Madison Square Garden arena. After enjoying the first show, hundreds of fans returned for the second concert, which began at midnight.

For over 6 hours, the WaMu Theatre was transformed into a sea of rags and flags as Montano and Friends performed for more than 8000 Soca-loving fans. The first show began promptly at 8 pm and almost immediately the capacity crowd of 5,600 patrons abandoned their seats and assembled front and centre stage. Security personnel were forced to maintain an all-night vigil to keep the aisles clear, while still allowing fans to express themselves within acceptable levels of decorum.

Montano's extensive repertoire was embellished with troops of dancers, drummers and moko-jumbies and supported by a contingent of Caribbean acts, including: Ricky T from St. Lucia, Problem Child from St. Vincent, Peter Ram from Barbados, Tizzy from Antigua, Macka Diamond from Jamaica and Cuba's Pitbull.
Similar to the highly successful "AC 3+3" event, Montano color-coordinated his set, props and supporting cast in a seamless blend of melodies from black, to white and ending in red.
Midway through the show, veteran Desperadoes' pannist, Robert Grenidge joined young, talented Trinidad All-Star, Duane Gulston and Bajan saxophonist, Aturo Tappin for an epic version of Montano's potent collaboration with Calypso Icon, David Rudder, "Oil and Music".

Undoubtedly the highlight of the night, this ten minute rendition raised pores throughout the arena and imprinted the song on the lips, minds and hearts of everyone present.
While some patrons said they missed the theatrical elements which veteran mas-maker, Peter Minshal had brought to the production at last year's showing, the majority of the largely Trinidadian audience were just happy to get a taste of home.

"I came up from Boston," said Tracey-Ann Rullow. "I don't get to come home for Carnival every year, so when Machel is this close I have to represent. The first show was so good, my friends and I decided to stay for the second one too: we just couldn't leave without getting another dose!"
Also causing quite a stir were guest acts: Shal Marshal with his hit, "Gal Farm"; Farmer Nappy with "Chipping" and Calypso Legend, The Mighty Sparrow, who referenced his many classics and assisted Montano in rendering the Soca remake of his epic tale, "Congo Man". The second concert ended around 3 am.

T&T shares in Miami’s HEAT

Trinidad and Tobago was well-represented at the American Airlines Arena, downtown Miami on Sunday November 4th, 2007 as Deal or No Deal Winner, Arthur Joseph received his 2006 NBA Championship ring from 2006 NBA Finals MVP, Dwayne Wade on behalf of the 2006 NBA Champions, Miami HEAT. From as early as 5.20 pm, the sounds of the steel pan echoed along Biscayne Boulevard as the Miami Pan Symphony Steel Orchestra welcomed HEAT fans to the arena with a contemporary set of selections. The atmosphere was festive as the lines grew outside the main entrance and hundreds of Trinidadian-natives dressed in red assembled around the steelband.

“We’re a youth orchestra existing for the past 12 years,” said Committee Member for the band, Debra Bannatyne. “Our youngest member is aged 12 and we have as old as 23 years. It’s an after-hours activity for the kids, so it’s not affiliated with any school, so they come from different schools at different levels and the majority of them are of Caribbean parentage. This is the most exposure that a lot of them have gotten in terms of the steelband.”
Around 6.15 pm, Musical Director for the band, Leon Foster joined 16-year-old, Jessica Bannatyne and 17-year-old Tobago native, Ojay Richards inside the arena for a groundbreaking rendition of the US Anthem by the three tenor pan players.
“It was an honor to be the first to play the anthem on pan at an NBA game and a great achievement for the instrument,” said Foster afterward. “I was thrilled and filled with pride to hear the crowd roar with approval as we finished playing. It was one of those short, but extremely sweet moments that I will never forget.”

Seated court-side, the evening’s honoree, Deal or No Deal Winner, Arthur Joseph confessed to being extremely nervous throughout. Minutes before half-time, his story was capsulated on the overhead screens and the 15,000-plus audience was advised to stay in their seats for a special half-time presentation.
With the HEAT trailing the Charlotte Bobcats 48-55, MVP Dwayne Wade joined HEAT TV Presenter, Lisa Lee and Joseph at centre-court to present Joseph with his 2006 NBA Championship Ring. Valued at over US$ 34,000, this platinum ring is encrusted with 226 diamonds weighing in at a total of 10.97 carats.
Next, a video synopsis of the official opening of the Arthur Joseph/Miami HEAT basketball court in Point Fortin was displayed on screens throughout the arena. This video, along with an exclusive interview with Arthur about his experience, is currently available for viewing at www.heat.com.
The tribute to Joseph continued as Nadia Batson’s “My Land” poured through the speakers and models in costumes from the recently-concluded Miami Carnival celebrations made their way on to the court in a lavish display of color, splendor and T&T culture.

After the presentation, ABC Reporter, Neki Mohan hastened to interview Joseph, asking him: “What do you say to the people that say to you, how could you pass up a million dollars for this? And how are you going to get your mom that house now?”
“I believe that life goes around in a cycle and what goes around come around, so the good I did will come back to me,” he replied. “That court is going to go a long way in making dreams come true and a kid playing on that court today could be the next Dwayne Wade or Shaquille O’Neal of tomorrow. Once you can make dreams come true, I think that’s worth more than a million dollars. Definitely!
“I’m going to work hard and get mom a house still,” he affirmed with a laugh. “Doh worry, I believe that once I set my mind on a goal and I work hard, I’m gonna get it.”

During his stint on the popular NBC show, “Deal or No Deal” (which aired on June 13) Joseph accepted a “deal” which included: the Championship Ring, Dwayne Wade’s official team jersey, an autographed team poster, a cameo appearance in the team’s promotional video, the refurbishment of a local basketball court by the Miami Heat, as well as season tickets to Miami HEAT games.
Instead of taking this deal, Joseph could have continued his run on the show, where he had a chance to win up to US$1,000,000. After an emotional conversation with his mother, whose desire for a house in Miami had inspired him to try out for the show in the first place, Joseph decided to take the deal “for his country”.

Subsequently, an outdoor court in Joseph’s hometown of Point Fortin was refurbished and renamed in his honor and formally commissioned in August by Joseph and former HEAT Forward, Wayne Simien. Joseph is an aspiring actor, choreographer and playwright who currently works as a Personal Vacation Planner with the Carnival Cruise Line in Miami, Florida.

Thermometers explode at “Temperature”
Acts sizzle, patrons given cold treatment

VIP patrons at last Saturday’s much-hyped “Temperature” concert quarreled well into the wee hours of Sunday morning over the “shabby treatment” they received in exchange for their $350 and $400 contributions. One female patron cried:

“This was the worst! Imagine I paid $400 and barely got one drink for the whole night. It had too many people back here and limited stocks. The promoter didn’t cater for us at all.”
The VIP Section was crammed to capacity with over a thousand patrons, who reportedly only received five (5) premium drink chits and one (1) sandwich chit each upon entry. Another patron lamented:
“If had known that my VIP drinks would have been Blu Vodka, some kind of imitation Baileys and some scotch called Black Bottle, I would have saved my money and drank from my bar at home.”

IN VIP, only two bars served beer, some non-alcoholic drinks and water, with doubles and corn soup also available. Patrons also complained about the VIP section having had “only 10 bathrooms for thousands of men and women to share”. Around 3.30 am, tensions reached fever pitch as hungry patrons were told that the only remaining food supplies had been depleted and no more would be made available.
Meanwhile, few complaints were made with regard to the advertised acts, who all delivered quality performances and entertaining routines. Peter C and The Orchestra opened up the live action around 10.45, with performances from Terry Seales, Justin Cross and Synergy Soca Star, Umi Marcano.
Jamaican dancehall star, “Sean Paul” Henriques took the stage around midnight and delivered a high-energy set complete with all his hits and even a few new songs. The 5000-plus audience danced and sang along throughout his performance, which included several acrobatic dancers and his brother/hype-man, Jason “Jigzagula” Henriques of the Coppershot sound-system. After his performance, Henriques said:

“Yo, Trinidad nice and lively man. So we always do we ting when we come here. It have a set ah people whey jus enjoy dancehall all throughout the world and one of the main set, are people from Trinidad. So we just give thanks to you.”

n Soca superstar, Machel Montano HD lived up to expectations and supplied a mind-blowing performance, commanding the crowd to intense feats of participation and invoking their combined frenzy with last year’s Road March, “Jumbie”. KMC closed the show with his band Red, White and Black and the event ended around 4 am.

Machel Montano HD 2008: FLAME ON

Old Years’ Night, 11.45 pm. MTV is bubbling with the sound of Haitian hip-hop star, Wyclef Jean as he performs live in Times Square. Wyclef entertains with old favorites as well as his latest single, “Sweetest Girl”, but his last song before the countdown to 2008 begins is new to the world, although very familiar to us here in Trinidad.
Known for the refrain “It’s Carnival”, but officially dubbed “Carnival Survivors”, this collaboration with Soca Star, Machel Montano HD was heard by millions of MTV viewers around the world that night and for “The Taipan of Soca”, it officially begin 2008 with a bang.
“It was real special,” said Montano during an exclusive interview after his album launch party at Club Zen last Wednesday night. “People wouldn’t know but that song is actually Wyclef’s song! A lot of people might think it’s Machel’s song and that Wyclef was singing my song, but that was an idea he had and he reached out to me and he said; look, ah have this idea, ah want to do some Soca, show meh how to do it. The band went to his studio in New York and worked on that and three other songs with him and he loved it. He always promised that we would do something with it, but he was on a journey doing lots of humanitarian stuff for Haiti over the last two years and then he has a new album out now, so we’re just waiting for the right time to get back together and do some more work.

“It was real special that Carnival Survivors was the last song played before they counted down the New Year on MTV and for all the viewers around the world that is an introduction to Soca.”
For Montano, this development is just another link in the chain of progress that he has been molding over the last decade or so. It’s a step in the right direction for the music that has captivated his spirit and now defines his life and his livelihood.
“I can tell you that my bank account feels lovely coming into the New Year like that: nuff thanks to Wyclef for dropping the ball like that! And I believe that small, seemingly insignificant act will set off a chain reaction throughout the music industry. Already now, we’re seeing all the dancehall artistes singing Soca more comfortably now: Elephant Man, Vegas, Sean Paul, Macka Diamond, Buju Banton, Anthony B, you name it… A lot of people watching it and asking what you think about it, what you think about it, is not what you think about it: how is it sounding? If it sounds good and it feels good, it means more exposure and the artistes feeling less intimidated to enter the Soca world. This is what we’ve been looking to achieve and it’s in the process of happening.”

Montano is definitely a “happening figure” in Carnival. After taking over Carnival 2007 and claiming yet another Road March title with the hit, “Jumbie”, he appears set to repeat these feats with hit singles, “Blazing The Trail”, “Unconditional Love”, “Wining Season”, the Vanessa Carlton-inspired, “Make Love” and yet another electrifying collaboration with Patrice Roberts called “Rollin’” which is soon to be released. Montano previewed several new songs from his forthcoming album, Flame On for the assembly at Club Zen.
“The rollin is fresh- hot off the press! Right now we still in the studio finishing it up,” he explained, “but we decided to bring it out tonight. This kinda thing is something we took up since Craziness… we played it in Skinner Park before it was released and we taking the risk like the rock bands and some of the bands in the States and around the world and playing our songs before they’re out… Getting people accustomed to them and trying to feed it to them.

“This Zen crowd is very special to us: we keep coming here and no matter how many times we come here, they keep coming back to hear us, so we say let’s come and do something special for them… Let them hear the songs before they hit the radio, let them talk about it before everyone else and we show them what we coming with, let them know they are special in hearing it first and giving it that seal of approval.”
Another new song, which is sure to get the seal of approval from the masses, is a powerful collaboration with Calypso Icon, David Rudder, entitled “Oil and Music”.

“We were in a press conference for AC in London,” Montano explained, when asked how the two came together,” and we were working on the show and the people asked us: so when we getting a Machel and David song? Well, he watch me and I watch him and we didn’t have no answer, so ah say this year! Ah had something sitting there and I was listening to it and what was coming out of it for me, I guess these songs does be blessings cause ah cyah remember exactly why the words oil and music came to me, but I was thinking about Trinidad and trying to break down exactly what Trinidad meant to me; trying to break it down to its basic DNA: what Trinidad really about? It’s oil… for all the riches and all the wealth and the energy… and then it’s music… which is talent, people who could play pan and sing and dance and tell a story.

“These are the two things that this country is really about: we have a unique music, we have we own musical instrument and we have the oil. We have all sorts of different relationships to these two main things and I just wanted to show that and I thought David would have been the rightest man and ah call him and he was ready, he wrote his part in five minutes. I really respect and admire him a lot and it’s an honor for me to finally work with him on this. I think it will touch a lot of people.”
On stage at Zen, Montano said he wants Prime Minister, Patrick Manning to hear and listen to the song “because after all the oil done, we will only have music”. Also featured on the new album, is a remake of The Mighty Sparrow’s “Congo Man”, which will see the Calypso King of The World” performing live with Montano at his sixth annual concert event, which is scheduled for next Saturday, January 26 and has been dubbed “The Alternative Concept 3 plus 3”.

US hip-hop acts, Lil Jon and Pitbull (with whom Montano has also recorded an English/Spanish, Hip-Hop/Soca collaboration) are confirmed to appear, among a host of guest acts and artistes. Hinting that he may actually perform on a music truck on Carnival Monday and Tuesday this year after a 7-year hiatus from doing so, Montano is already looking beyond Trinidad Carnival, with plans already in place to take AC 3 plus 3 to Miami Beach on March 1 at the Jackie Gleason Theatre and back to Madison Square Garden on March 28.

Canadian-based author, Jocelyne Guilbault, who recently launched her latest work, a book entitled Governing Sound: The Cultural Politics of Trinidad’s Carnival Music, was present at Club Zen on Wednesday night.
“The show was fantastic,” she said, “This is what carnival means… he (Machel) embodies it. In part two of the book I speak about the emergence of Soca, Rapso, Chutney Soca, Ragga Soca and I have a chapter speaking about Machel and Rikki Jai. So I am here tonight just to hear the latest, but I have been following for many years.

“As far as his latest songs, we only got the teasers tonight, but the teasers tell me that it is going to be fabulous. I think it’s very telling that Machel can assemble all these names that instantly evoke so many songs to people; that he can have these people collaborate with him is telling of how many talents he brings together to actually make carnival bigger, hotter, louder and really massive. What struck me tonight is the many rhythms that he brings together inside Soca: from Salsa, to reggae and everything and that brings richness to Soca and yet, he maintains Soca in there as the foundation of it all. I think that is a feat that Machel is accomplishing: to bring all these influences together to make Soca richer.”

Highway Records a success!
Chromatics LP a best-seller…

Local rapper, Richard “Chromatics” Raj-Kumar is riding high on the success of his debut LP, Against The Grain. Released in April, as Raj-Kumar and business partner/manager, Stewart Fortune opened the doors of the Highway Records Music Store in Curepe; Against The Grain has since sold over 2000 copies.

“This is the highest selling hip-hop album in Trinidad,” he boasts, “and probably in the Caribbean as well. Check it out for yourself. You can find me on Frederick Street everyday!”
Raj-Kumar and his highly-visibly, Highway Records Street Team have become a staple in Port of Spain as they ply their trade of choice: CDs and DVDs produced by local artistes.
“For years, artistes have been complaining about the pirates and the pirates cutting into their revenue streams,” said Fortune. “Well, we at Highway Records developed a business module and a strategy around that. Do as the pirates do and sell your own CDs daily at competitive prices… and it’s working!’

Retailing at $40, Chromatics’ LP includes hits, such as “Put It Up”, “The Ballad” featuring Digicel Rising Star, Justin Cross and a remake of the Andre Tanker classic, “Basement Party” featuring Sheldon Holder of the band, 12. Against The Grain also includes a DVD with the video for “Basement Party”, which was shot and directed by Rosci Potluri in New York, Boston and Trinidad.

More recently, Raj-Kumar came under fire from some industry personalities for his harsh criticism and personal stance against “the sad state of the local music industry”.
“People saying I too aggressive and I shouldn’t say how I feel out loud,” said Raj-Kumar, “but I’m real and I speak my mind all the time. I call a spade, a spade and a joker, a joker. I quit my 9-to-5 to become an artiste full-time and I chose to be an artiste because I love making music and performing for people. Here in my country, the business of being an artiste has been neglected and corrupted for sometime, but I am all about my business because it has to pay my bills and pay my employees and put food on my table.

“So yuh see all de friend-friend ting and de fake-smiles and bounce an’ ting,” he advised with a not-so-friendly grin, “I doh deal up in that! If you respect me as an artiste and as a man and as a businessman, then you will pull out your money, or as Spotrushaz say: put your chips up and support my products and services. Blighs don’t pay bills!”
Testament to the success of the Highway Records’ business module, the company recently opened their own recording studio on the same premises as their Music Store at #1 Evans Street, Curepe.
“We are building our brand and our business,” stated Fortune. “Slowly, but surely... We’re establishing our distribution network through the store and the street team and now we have our own recording studio, so we can control our own production, in addition to offering a top quality recording studio to other local artistes.”
For more information on Chromatics, please call Highway Records Music Store at 662-4852 or email highwayrecords@gmail.com.

A Day with The Cure

“Now I’m on my journey, who is gonna stop me? I see no one in my way… It’s even more than words can say…”
- “Sunny Days”, Jah Cure

Saturday, December 15th, 2007: 11 am. After an entire week of overcast skies, heavy rains and massive flooding, the sun finally returned to illuminate Port of Spain.
At the Hilton Hotel, Siccature “Jah Cure” Alcock relaxed in his room along with his Road Manager, Dean Delroy; Owen “Fantan Mojah” Moncrieffe, Bajan promoter, Freddy Hill; professional bodyguards, Jabez “Fergie” Ferguson, Marlon Roberts, David Blanc and a few of the band members.
Upon entry, Express Photographer, Jermaine Cruickshank and I were greeted solemnly by all. Cure’s assurance that we had “plenty more time” to do an interview, left me seated in a corner observing the heated discourse.
The highly-animated and boisterous “Mojah” steered most of the conversation, which was varied from recent events, their repercussions and the actions of various individuals they had come into contact with during their ongoing tour.

The television was on, but the football match Cure wanted to see was blocked from broadcast. Flow’s apology message remained on the screen, as Cure opted to play the match himself on his shiny silver Sony PSP.
Housekeeping returned to claim the remnants of a healthy breakfast and the veteran, “Pinchers” stopped by for a quick word with Delroy. As the sun spilled through the veranda doors, wads of blue notes exchanged hands. Cure threw on his “blinging” chain and watch and it was time to go.
Six of us slipped into an unmarked maxi and headed for Movie Towne: Cure and Mojah were shopping for toys. The employees at Radioshack stared in disbelief as the artistes walked around for all of five minutes, before leaving the store empty-handed.

Immediately upon his exit, a class of youngsters convinced their guardian to call him closer. Responding to their cries for his attention, Cure moved forward to stand in their midst. He spoke softly as they gathered around, touching him and asking for autographs.

“How are you all doing today?” he asked them. “What school do you all go to? Are you all enjoying your holidays?”

He obliged only a few of the girls who asked for pictures with him, before politely excusing himself and returning to the vehicle.
At The Sports Master in Grand Bazaar, he found what he was searching for: a $2,600 remote-controlled SUV for his “lickle brother”. The word spread quickly that he was in the area and in minutes, scores of young ladies bombarded him with requests for autographs and pictures. Giving the car a quick test run in between accommodating his fans, he paid the clerk in cash and headed next door to Bluegrass.

“Me ah shoot ah video 'pon de stage tonight,” he informed me as he skimmed through the racks and shelves. “So I want a black jacket; black top. Me have everything else…”
Having eaten and enjoyed the food at Botticelli’s the day before, Cure was determined to sample from their menu again and even though the restaurant was closed for a private function, management and staff still accommodated us for lunch.

“Me doh afe soundcheck,” he said, as we dropped Mojah and company at the venue for their rehearsal after lunch. “My band and my back-up singers do that fe me. I goin’ to rest-up for de show now. Relax I-self.”

“I never knew the day would come/I would be free again… I never knew the day would come/when you would see me again… Ah know you did ah pray fuh me/now your prayer has come true. Done with all me suffering/ Time for something new…”
- Freedom, Jah Cure

A man of few words, Cure radiated a peaceful disposition which made everyone around him comfortable. Released on parole since July 28th, he declined to talk about his time in prison, his experiences while serving 8 years for a crime he insists he did not commit, or the controversial case and trial that made headlines around the world.

“Well me na even wha talk bout prison eh kno cause me done been there long enough,” he said. “How me feel to be free is how any man feel when him can move ‘pon de earth and move how him want and how him feel.”
What he did say, emphatically, is that his “time is now” and he intends to “make the most of it” by taking big steps and leaving the trivial things of this life for others.

“When me look ‘round at certain artistes,” he said, “and me see how them live and how them career stop when them get big and them na use them money wisely and then certain times them pop down and then na have nothing but a few lickle clothes and jewelry. Then me look at man like Buju and Beres and Sizzle dey and how them invest in house and land and no matter what them do from now, them have them life secure. All them things ah motivate me to come out and make big steps over de lickle youths who want fe stop and play dress up and dem na think about dem future proper.
“Ah eight years ah me life me spend in ah prison eh kno…” he added before drifting off into his own mind and memories. “Me had plenty time fe think bout life…”

His amazing performance that night unleashed a wave of peace through the audience and indeed, around the nation. After leaving the stage for the final time, Cure was bombarded by photographers and fans: everyone wanted to see him, to touch him, share in his final minutes at the venue. He recognized me somehow in the melee and pulled me in for a group picture. I never did get that straight-up, sit-down, one-on-one interview, but perhaps, I got something better: a day with The Cure

A ‘SO-SO’ SUMMER 2007

The “Summer” is finally over and the kids are all back to school. Of course, this means that the ultra-ridiculous daily traffic jam has also returned and driving seems more of a hindrance than a convenience, irregardless of your destination.
The July-August vacation was once again quite boring!!! Within recent years there have been less and less quality events hosted by the major promoters during this period. Thus, the clubs and the cinema-plexes rule and control the attention and allowances of the majority of the youths (perhaps this is all part of someone’s great design?). After exams, what else is there to do?
The two major “Soca-heavy” events, Colours 10 (featuring Kees the Band, Machel Montano HD, and Jamaican dancehall star, Cham) and Soca For Summer 3 (featuring a renamed Iwer “D Boss” George, Bunji Garlin and “everyone else who matters” in the Soca fraternity) both attracted meager audiences in July and made the Jean Pierre Complex venue seem blighted and destined for failure.
Just when it seemed as if all hope for “Summer Action” had been lost, in came veteran promoter, Roy Maharaj with a sizzling combination of the Marley Brothers, Damian “Jr Gong” and Stephan “Bob Voice”, along with a cast of local reggae stars.
The Marley Brothers set it off on August 25th to a 4000-strong audience and injected a healthy dose of positive energy into the populace. Indeed, sales of khaki suits and “Rasta-colored” rags, flags and “everythings” went through the roof as the “concert of the year” attracted reggae fans from all walks of life.
For one night, down-town and up-town citizens assembled in the same place and seemed to exist in peace. However, even in this atmosphere promoting racial unity and equality, the typical societal divisions remained in place. A casual glance away from the Reggae Royalty onstage would have observed an “apartheid-type” fence which separated General Admission patrons from VIPs.
While the VIPs and those backstage enjoyed generous doses of cannabis and up close and personal viewpoints of the mega-popular sons of the late, great Bob Marley all night long, those in General Admission were subjected to constant scrutiny and assaults from the protective services on duty.

Still, it was a night to be remembered in time and space as Damian and Stephan performed for well over three hours and received no less than three encores from the multitudes of Marley-loving fans. Repeatedly, they delved into their father’s ample catalogue of hits, much to the delight of the crowd and by the time the clocks struck 4 am, their garbs were soaked with perspiration and the audience could ask for no more.
All was not lost for local talent, however, as this period also saw the launch of the Trinidad and Tobago Film Company and the T&T Entertainment Company: both dedicated to the advancement of local productions in their respective fields. The Film Company has kicked off with a bang: issuing several grants to local film-makers and hosting the Film Festival at Movie Towne in September, in conjunction with the already strong Animae Caribe franchise.
The Entertainment Company has yet to bare its teeth or flex its muscles and is still “in the process of setting up its offices” and therefore “cannot yet provided assistance” to its proposed members. We can only hope for great things from this organization in the near future, but with construction on the much-touted National Centre for the Performing Arts (Port of Spain) having not yet even begun and the Queens Park Savannah venue already being sorely missed, the hopes of the entertainment community for a brighter future are somewhat bleak at this time.
To add insult to injury, the age-old stigma of embracing all external cultures while sacrificing our own, continues to plague the development of our entertainment industry. The prevalence of Jamaican culture in our society has reached nauseating levels with local artistes forced to suffer further indignity by hearing their Jamaican counterparts chosen ahead of them by local corporations for advertising spots. However, what’s worse is that this insidious action is completely justifiable given the equally absurd reality that most Jamaican acts are more recognizable and influential than our indigenous artistes.
Thus, the annual Great Fete Weekend hosted by Sandbox Entertainment saw Jamaican-ism prevail as dancehall act, Mr Vegas was chosen as the headliner.

We (are all attempting to) live in an age when multinational corporations rape the earth of her natural beauty daily, but thankfully there are still a concerned few who fight to preserve our environment. They say that “behind every cloud lies a silver lining” and this Summer’s silver came amidst the neon lights and concrete jungle that used to be a thriving mangrove forest opposite the Hasely Crawford Stadium. There local artistes found a new stage in the heart of a core audience: as the recently-opened and almost instantly-popular, Woodford Café (Movie Towne) venue began hosting live acts every Tuesday night.
This new spot featured a variety of acts: from the well-known band, Kees, to the newcomer, Annya Inniss to so many of the formerly ignored rock bands which existed below the mainstream radar. As the weeks flew by, an intense following provided a weekly audience which was usually enthused, enlightened and appreciative.
Amen.

Then, on September 8, Jus CDs/Music Shak collaborated to host former Cranberries’ lead vocalist, Dolores O’Riordan at Pier 1 car-park and attracted a lovely audience of roughly 3000 patrons. It was the debut performance in Trinidad for the diminutive Irish singer, who has reared an entire generation with her eclectic vocal talents and with local rockers, jointpop and Orange Sky opening up the show, it was almost guaranteed to be a success.
Thus ended “the summer”; give or take a few EARLY Carnival band launches and some new lounges opening up, it was all pretty much the usual fare here in Trinidad and Tobago.
Until the next one

Steelpan for NBA Game

The National Instrument of Trinidad and Tobago will be used to play the US National Anthem at the start of the first game of the Regular NBA Season played by the Miami Heat. Marketing Coordinator, Miami Heat, Melissa Ruiz confirmed recently that the steel-pan will be utilized to play the steel-pan. She said:

"I have arranged to collaborate with Harvey Boris of the Trinidad and Tobago Miami Consulate to bring in a steelpan musician to play the National Anthem on the day that Arthur Joseph will be presented with part of his prize: the 2006 NBA Championship ring."

Joseph, a Trinidadian living in Miami, won the exclusive ring as part of a deal he accepted on the popular NBC game-show, Deal or No Deal earlier this year. The deal also includes the refurbishment of a basketball court to be named in his honor and commissioned by the Miami Heat here in Trinidad.

Representatives from the Miami Heat visited Trinidad in mid-July to view possible sites for the basketball court and were issued a challenge to use the steelpan at an NBA game by Consul of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Miami Consulate, Harvey Boris.

Joseph, who is still in Miami at present, but will return to officially open the court when it is completed, said he was delighted with this latest development. He said:

"I smiled inside when I heard about Mr Boris' challenge because I knew it was a wonderful opportunity to showcase our national instrument and I believed that it was possible to achieve. Following up on his challenge, I asked Ms Ruiz about it and she only responded this evening. I'm delighted to share more good news with the people of Trinidad and Tobago."
The regular season of the NBA is scheduled to begin in October.

Melissa Ruiz:

DATE for 1st game: not out yet!
US/T&T Anthem: US National

Official thoughts on this idea: I think its great. We’re definitely happy that we are his favorite team out of all in the NBA. He really is a very patriotic person. He has a deep love for his country. Doesn happen often that ppl give up major money opportunities to serve their country and we’re happy that we’re able to execute a project like this…

Knowledge of the steelpan: I’ve heard it before. Lewis played a CD of pan music, so we’re definitely familiar with it. Lots of Trinidadians here.

Photo of the ring: still being produced, his is being customized. Not ready yet

Television coverage of the prize-giving ceremony/ pan-playing:
It will be in-game, so the anthem is usually not broadcasted
it will be in front of 20,000 fans; perhaps Deal or No Deal ppl will

Most memorable experience of Trinidad?:
It was great. They were really nice to us. Probably one of the most hospitable places every. Was very productive; did not rest at all.
Arthur and Barbara were great. I didn’t, but Ralph did. Brian Manning.
Met with him on the first day. Just a preliminary meeting about the court b4 the site survey

Site: great for what we want to do. Most compelling the ppl and their enthusiasm for us to do it there… Emotional aspect was the most definitive factor as well as Arthur’s affiliation with the area
Exactly the kind of community we want assist.

Harvey Boris:
Thoughts/Feelings on this development:
I am extremely excited. We are charged to promote our country in a positive light. Trade, tourism and culture. Saw the opp and felt it was the ideal time to get the instrument at the game to play.
Ovewhelmed, overjoyed in my heart
Attempting to get a small Carnival presentation as well
But I’m gonna push for it as

Specifics of the arrangement? Soloist/Orchestra:
Based on discussion we will decide whether we will have a soloist orchestra or someone from Miami. Or even if we will get one of the newest G pans. We will come up with best possible scenario

Any more challenges/suggestions:

Which player would you like to attend:
Given the choice, I would love to have Shaq. I will attempt to influence them to have 2/3 of the stars if possible

Who is the favorite amongst the T&T/Miami population?:

Any more plans for Arthur:
He has been very busy; been talking to a number of groups.
He has to address the Miami/Diaspora here on “Love for Country”
Happy with what he’s doing. In the future we will do our best to assist. If NBC come to cover that opening it will be positive. Hope we can get the Heat and the Min of Sport to collaborate on a program to build an indoor facility NBA-style. To take bball to the next level, we must associuate with those who have been there and done and done that.

T&T WIN BIG at World Championships

Members of the T&T contingent that participated in the World Championships of Performing Arts received their medals last night, as the international event came to a close with a gala presentation ceremony at the Marriott Hotel in Los Angeles, California.

Dubbed the “Talent Olympics”, the World Championships of Performing Arts ran from July 28 to Aug 5 and featured over 5000 performers from more than 40 countries. Performers from Trinidad and Tobago are confirmed to bring home gold medals in the categories of Dance, Instrumental and Hip Hop Dance, among many other accolades.

2006 Digicel Rising Stars, Eclectik have already returned home with their hard-earned gold medals, after defeating 37 other teams in the Hip Hop Dance category. Also earning gold is young pannist, Ojay Richards who entertained the audience with his steelpan to win the Instrumental Performance category for 15-17 year-olds. Not to be left out of the winnings, The Youthquake Dancers from Tobago topped all other in the Dance category to earn the title of Grand Champions in that category.
Approximately 150 Trinbagonian nationals attended this event, with 32 participants entering the competition in various categories and age groups. Out of a field of more than 5000, eight contestants from Trinidad and Tobago made the finals. These include, among others: Signal Hill Alumni Choir, San Juan Tassa Drummers, Drummers of Tomorrow, Delyce Nancis and Kay Alleyne.

Consul of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Miami Consulate, Harvey Borris attended the competition and lent his support to our competitors. He expressed tremendous pride and joy in the achievements of our contingent and described them as “the most talked about team in the entire competition”.

In a telephone interview from Los Angeles yesterday, he said:
“I love my country. Last year the T&T contingent brought home 32 Gold, 132 Silver and 2 Bronze medals and this year it appears that these numbers will increase. We’ve had a fantastic showing at this the eleventh edition of the World Championships of Performing Arts. I must make mention of the fabulous performances coming from H2O Phlo, Amelia Roach, Kenya Cooper, The Krash Band, Sasha Karicharan, Andrew Prescod, Josette Thomas and Gerard Balfour. Although they did not all make the finals, they all did our country proud.”

Akon-troversial Sales Strategy

Hip-Hop/R&B star, Akon seems determined to be surrounded by controversy, as he has allegedly shifted the blame for his raunchy dance with 14-year-old, Danah Alleyne onto her parents.

This comes mere weeks before Akon plans to re-release his sophomore album, Konvicted and has seemingly recovered from immense criticism for his controversial actions with the success of his latest single, “Sorry, Blame It On Me”.

The self-proclaimed “Prince of Senegal” will re-release his already multiplatinum album, Konvicted on August 28 with the addition of three new songs, as well as the Clinton Sparks-produced hit single, “Sorry, Blame It On Me”, which describes his reluctant acceptance of blame for recent wrong doings and serves as a sarcastic apology of sorts.

On April 12, Akon soiled his debut performance at Club Zen in Trinidad with a counterfeit dance competition and an extra-raunchy segment with a female fan. This fan turned out to be the 14-year-old daughter of a local pastor and when the incident hit the Internet through the mega-popular video-sharing website, www.youtube.com, Akon he came under fire from fans, critics and activists around the world.

However, it should be noted that in the current multimedia-obsessed entertainment climate, controversy has become almost a permanent pre-requisite for all major music and/or movie stars. Indeed, front-page news headlines usually translate into platinum sales, chart ascendancy and global recognition and so Akon’s faux pas have therefore served as the perfect publicity stunts to embellish his already soaring music career.

“Sorry, Blame It On Me” was released to radio stations on June 27 as a single. The song leaked on June 13, a few days before it became available on Akon’s MySpace page. The song was then placed on iTunes on July 17 and attained the number one position on two separate days, July 21 and July 23. On Thursday last, “Sorry, Blame It On Me” debuted at number seven on the August 4 issue of the weekly singles chart, the Billboard Hot 100 and seems destined to reach number one once an accompanying video is released within the next month.
It’s clear that the incident at Club Zen on April 12 spawned a giant wave of publicity for the “Konvict”, who was at the time riding high on the success of his third single, “Don’t Matter”. This publicity, although largely negative, set the stage for the singer to record and release the aforementioned single, which will now also serve to market the re-release of his second studio album.

The venue of this highly-publicized incident is now “world-famous” and with Akon’s new single topping charts around the world and his album set for re-release, it’s no surprise that he’s stirring up controversy again.
Just Friday, an Irish website reported that the singer is now blaming the dancing incident on the parents of the teenager. Ireland online quotes the singer as saying he was used as a "scapegoat" and accuses her parents of being “irresponsible” for allowing her in an over-18 nightclub performance.

According to this site, Akon said: "It was an unfortunate situation, more of a misunderstanding more than anything. You can't blame me for a young girl sneaking into the club. Why is her dad letting her out at that time of the night? That's not my responsibility, so I didn't really let it affect the way I was moving around."

Amid intense global criticism, US Mobile provider, Verizon Wireless removed all ringtones featuring Akon's songs from their catalogue and decided not to sponsor an upcoming tour which would have featured Akon as the opening act for pop sweetheart, Gwen Stefani. However, Akon's record label, the Universal Music Group did not take any action against Akon, but simply ordered the video clip removed from YouTube due to copyright infringement.

Prime Minister, Patrick Manning had ordered a full investigation into the activities and admittance policies of Club Zen, but after one search, weeks of daily publicity and several more controversial incidents involving local Soca stars, the club remains open, unlike the case. Need we say more? Certainly not if you the readers are going to put the blame on us.

Bob Marley Still Setting Trends

Reggae icon, Bob Marley recently made history yet again, by having the first artist-specific album to be released on USB Memory Stick. Marley's masterpiece Exodus celebrates its 30th anniversary this summer and will be commemorated with the release of this exclusive new version of the album. This revolutionary item can be ordered only from Bob Marley's official website http://www.bobmarley.com.

Described by Time Magazine as "the best album of the 20th century," Exodus catches Marley at the height one of his most introspective, rebellious and creative periods. This classic album will now continue to make history by offering an alternative way for fans to purchase music, introducing them to the exciting technology available in today's music marketplace.

Only four thousand (4000) limited edition re-usable USB Memory Sticks will be made available and will feature not only the ten (10) original songs on Exodus but also audio and video content, including three video tracks recorded at London's Rainbow Theatre in June, 1977.

Fans that join the Bob Marley Passport Fan Club via http://www.bobmarley.com/ will receive: the Exodus USB, an exclusive carrying case, a 10% discount at the Bob Marley shop on the site, as well as a quarterly newsletter. Passport members will also have access to rare Bob Marley audio, video, and photos, as well as future digital media.

An assortment of new and unique Bob Marley music and memorabilia will also be made available from June 4 to all Bob Marley site visitors, including:

• The Exodus 30th Anniversary Edition CD, featuring the original 10 tracks packaged for the first time in a quality 'hardback' case.
• Exodus Deluxe CD/ DVD- limited to just 5000 copies, this version features not only the album but also a separate DVD with twelve (12) tracks from Marley's historic Rainbow concerts in the summer of 1977.
• The Exodus LP- The return of the original and legendary 10-track vinyl album, as first released in June 1977.
• The Exodus 30th Anniversary Book - a new special edition 144-page hardback book that is lavishly illustrated with many previously unpublished pictures and includes contributions from such writers as the esteemed commentator and critic, Richard Williams, Lloyd Bradley (author of the acclaimed Bass Culture), Vivien Goldman, Robert Christgau, Neil Spencer and the celebrated poet, Linton Kwesi Johnson. The book, which features over 200 images, is introduced by Chris Blackwell, the founder of Island Records.
• The Exodus T-shirt based on the original tour T-shirt

Released in 1977, the Exodus album was recorded while Marley was in exile. Having escaped an assassination attempt in Jamaica, he arrived in London during the first week of 1977 and set to work recording his fifth studio album.

THE ROAD MAKE TO WALK

The musical works of the late, great Grandmaster, Lord Kitchener will be brought to life for eight nights, as J&N Productions stages “The Road Make to Walk” from June 21st to June 24th and June 28th to July 1st, at The Little Carib Theatre. Noted playwright/director, Davlin Thomas helms this enchanting interpretation of The Grandmaster’s works and it’s adaptation into contemporary theatre; with additional choreography by Delton Frank and Musical Direction by Theron Shaw. Situated in a bar “on the edge of time and space”, The Road Make To Walk stars Cacique Award winners, Arnold Goindhan (who plays the outspoken bartender, Kushkumar); Glenn Davis (whose character is known quite simply as “the middle-class ass”, alongside Kurtis Gross (King) and singer, Mavis John, who fills the role of “Maggie”- a jilted lover.

“What we wanted to do,” Thomas explained, “was situate it in a space that had the spirit of Kitchener, but at the same time created a new post-modern sense of his work; using a classical feel, but at the same time a modern contemporary approach. What was key to that was creating the space and invoking the sense that there’s no Carnival and these people are waiting in a bar; in a kind of catharsis place, just before life.”
After just three weeks of rehearsal, the cast has already gelled wonderfully and all are experiencing a greater appreciation for the music of Lord Kitchener. It’s this camaraderie and respect for the Calypso Icon, which they intend to share with the audience onstage. Glenn Davis is thrilled to be working with Thomas again, after their successful run of “Monument” during CARIFESTA 2006. “I had such a good time with that cast last year,” he confessed. “It had a sort of a Best Village atmosphere and I really and truly enjoyed myself. So, hearing Devlin’s name attached to this project, I imagined the same type of performers would be involved and when I came I met exactly what I expected. That’s one of the beauties of this production also: there is a certain level of camaraderie among the performers and we’re all having fun but at the same time, everybody’s working so hard!

“When I was a young man, I was a Sparrow,” he continued. “But even then, Kitch was always The Grandmaster. I come from a Carnival family; mas used to come out from our house and Kitchener was always in a zone by himself: like this is it! Having to perform his tunes now, it is remarkable because you know the songs, but you really didn’t know the depth of the tunes all the time. And oh good, oh good! If yuh from Trinidad and yuh doh know Kitch music, there’s not much ah could tell yuh… except to come to the play and you will learn something.”
Veteran singer, Mavis John has cut-off all her other ongoing projects, in order to concentrate on this production and rise to the challenge of acting, singing and dancing.

“The nucleus of this project for me,” John revealed, “was that we were paying respect to Kitchener and Kitchener’s music, so as a 105% Trinidadian, I was glad to be a part of it. We discussed the challenge of performing Kitchener’s work and of me acting because I know I can sing, but Kitchener’s music is a whole other thing and then, I’m not an actor so that was the challenge, but as time passes it’s getting easier and I’m getting better.
“Part of my whole being now is to address local music,” she continued. “People call me a jazz singer, but if I have to sing now, I would choose something local so in interpreting the song, once you say you want it to be this meter and this tempo, I’m a professional and we’re at rehearsal so we can work it out. The dancing is a challenge because it’s not like you’re onstage and you can freestyle. You have to do four bars down, four bars up and be in sync with others who are professional dancers. Not that we have to do that much dancing, because there are dancers onstage as well, but we believe that Trinidadians all have rhythm and style and so, we have to rise to the challenge of representing that.”
Choreographer, Delton Frank actually had the privilege of working with Lord Kitchener while he was still alive and is dedicated to the project and the challenges posed by Thomas.

“It’s challenging because of the particular needs of the director,” he said, “and because we have to work with non-dancers as well to get them in sync, but it’s cope-able and everybody is easy to work with and cooperating nicely. This production means a lot to me because I really admire and respect the music of Lord Kitchener. I was part of the video, “The River Coming Down” and I worked at Kitchener’s Revue, choreographing the dancers onstage and so I had opportunities to work with the man himself. So, having to put dance to his music now is an overwhelming feeling of a dream come true.”
Musical Director, Theron Shaw was given the task to adapt Kitchener’s classic Calypsoes in different musical styles, while maintaining the essence of his songs. He believes that the music featured in the play will spawn a new wave of appreciation for The Grandmaster.

“I’ve always had an interest in Kitchener’s music, although I didn’t share Devlin’s vision of its interpretation because I tend to like the traditional format of calypso in terms of Kitchener. I think it’s quite interesting how we’re mixing up the different styles of the same music harmonically, but stylistically, we’re throwing in a lot of different elements.
“I am pleasantly surprised about some of the things that have come out of this mix. I am looking forward to it. It is a lot of work though; a lot more than we anticipated at first. I think it’s very important to do things like this though, because that is what will keep the music turning over to the next generation. Hearing our interpretation will inspire people to look for the original and hearing the original might inspire some other group to interpret it in a different way again! It is a way to keep Trinidad music alive and I’m a big supporter of anything that achieves that.”
Tickets for this play cost $125 and are available now at The Little Carib Theatre.
Call 622-4644 or 463-5059 for tickets or more information.

MARLON ASHER for Marijuana Music Awards 2007

Trinidadian reggae sensation, Marlon Asher will make a special guest appearance at the upcoming American Marijuana Music Awards, scheduled for August 25 in New York City. This, even as the Trinidadian reggae artiste continues to heat up the globe with his hit single, “Ganja Planter” and his more recent follow-up, “Shortie”.
The Marijuana Music Awards was created and launched in 2004 in Nimbin, Australia, by imaginative musicians and marijuana lovers in order to celebrate and awards musicians and artistes who make music with “a marijuana flavor” annually. It is described as “an outlet for and in recognition of great songs of this nature”, which are not usually heard in mainstream media.
Last year the American Marijuana Music Awards’ winners were announced at The Seattle Hempfest. This year the AMMA’s concert is in New York City. The Global Marijuana Music Awards’ winners will be announced in Sydney on September 29, 2007.

Nominated in the categories of “Song of the Year” and “Artiste of the Year” at the American Marijuana Music Awards, Marlon Asher will perform alongside acts such as Pato Banton, Rich Hardesty, Herbal Nation and The Herbillest.
Recently, Asher made his debut performance on the West Coast of the USA, alongside Jamaican dancehall artiste, Mr Lexxus at a concert hosted by Echo Vibes Promotions & Father Ray in Club Monte Cristo, Los Angeles.
Also featured at this event were Bajan DJ, Lady Envy and MC Empress Lyrics. Asher says the event was a smashing success:
“The promoters handled us very well,” he said in a release. “Our humble little ride was a Stretch Cadillac limousine driven by Lorena, a female 12 Tribes’ member, originally from Israel. I met up with several 12 Tribes’ members while in Los Angeles and the big talk amongst the members is Repatriation – many members are going back to Ethiopia in September to claim the free land that His Imperial Majesty, Haile Selassie I is returning to the people!”

Asher also performed at a Carnival-themed party in San Francisco, entitled “Angel Majik”, which was hosted by Johnny Mack and featured a live band, some of whose members included veteran musicians who had once toured with Lauryn Hill. Asher reports that it was a night of pure Caribbean Vibes.
The popular entertainer, who hails from Chaguanas free-styled several popular Caribbean tunes in reggae style and even blended up some jazz during his repertoire. Asher also sang a reggae version of The Mighty Sparrow’s “Jean and Dinah”, which was a huge hit with the audience and especially with all the Trinidadians in attendance.
Asher returns to the Caribbean for a show in Martinique on June 9th. Then he will head back to the US for a Father’s Day concert, alongside Bermudan reggae sensation, “Collie Buddz” in Boston on June 17th. Asher then finishes off the month of June appearances in Washington DC for DC Carnival weekend (June 22-24) and a show in London on June 30th.
Asher will also head back to “The Motherland” soon, as he has three dates confirmed for shows in Uganda, Africa, which will run from August 31 to September 2. His management team is also waiting on confirmation of additional dates in Kenya and Ghana to follow up on the shows in Uganda. For more information on this global reggae star from T&T, log on to www.marlonasher.com.