When Marcel Bennett started winning singing competitions at primary school it was a clear indication that his future would play along to the musical notes of his dreams. The reigning Junior Soca Monarch whose stage name is Young Marcel took home last year’s award with his infectious tune “Running Red.â€
An integral part of the music, sound systems are the lifeblood that pushes the vehicle of the music industry. More than just bringing the right vibe to a party, sound systems have propagated the spread of reggae and dancehall music. Coppershot Disco for instance has played across the globe with Sean Paul in places such as Martinique, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Dubai, Canada and more.
It’s a lament and a cry of defiance rolled into one that has become a classic. Bob Marley’s No woman, no cry, is a song everyone relates to regardless of what they know of reggae and Rastafarians. But why then did Marley, the most prolific song writer of the 20th Century, use a song he is not accredited with writing. Check any Bob Marley and the Wailers album from Burning to the ultimate compilation Songs of Freedom and all but one track is written by the modern day prophet.
Glory Days Lovers wake up to Boris Gardiner
Boris Gardiner’s music transports you to the happy side of love. It’s a place that the three-second pop hits of today couldn’t drag you to kicking and screaming. Think it’s a lie? Try comparing a modern hit to yesteryear’s I Wanna Wake Up With You. The song was Gardiner’s biggest hit and, 20 years later, lives on, but not much has been heard of Gardiner on the local scene. Sunday Gleaner: It is said that your song ‘I Wanna Wake Up With You’ was played at Princess Diana’s wedding. Is that true?
“Sometimes I feel like I am living in my father’s body.†This sentiment speaks volumes of the spiritual connection Kernal Roberts has with his legendary father, the late Aldwyn “Kitchener†Roberts, whom history will remember as the grandmaster of calypso. It seems Kernal is possessed by the musical spirit of his father, and it is this vibe which the 26-year-old has begun to mould and fashion into his own.
Has your expensive hairdo ever come under attack from an overzealous, torch-wielding fanatic, because of a song that deserves to be the theme song for demons? If this is so, you may have experienced a ‘bought forward’. It has long been rumoured that many artistes ‘buy forwards’ or distribute torches and other paraphernalia to create the illusion of an overly-receptive crowd during their performances.
‘The Queen’ plans to rule the dancehall in 2007
Despite an earlier published report that named her the worst female deejay for 2006, deejay Queen Paula says she has plans to rule the dancehall this year. She made her plans known in an interview earlier this week. Based on the feedback that she has gotten since her performance at Sting in December, Queen Paula is optimistic that she is on the right track in taking her slice of the pie.
People are cold sweating all over the country this Carnival. Veteran calypso bard Crazy (Edwin Ayoung) is once again teasing the popluation with his double entendres and notorious wild antics for which he is well known. As the momentum for Carnival 2007 soars, the air waves are jumping with his two popular songs “Cold Sweat†and “One Foot Cock.â€
Sanchez dissed at Rebel Salute?
There are conflicting reports regarding why reggae singer Sanchez did not appear on Rebel Salute ’07. While the singer’s manager is saying he was treated unprofessionally, promoter Tony Rebel is saying, “not true.”
Sexy Tricia stars in Massive Chutney tent
Saucy soca star Sexy Tricia (Tricia Hamilton) has taken the soca scene by storm with her hit “Callaloo.†She is one of many preparing for the stage at the Massive (Nirmal Gosine) tent on January 26 at the Island Club Casino, Grand Bazaar. Tricia has also secured a place in the semi-finals of the National Lotteries Chutney Soca Monarch competition, due to take place on January 20 at Rienzi Complex in Couva.