BANNED!
Mood:  down
Topic: Jamaica, Jamaica
BANNED!







A GROUP OF local companies which has dubbed itself a Coalition of Corporate Sponsors has decided that they will not be sponsoring any entertainment events at which dancehall artistes Beenie Man and Bounty Killer are slated to perform until further notice.

According to a statement issued by the coalition, the members - Courts, Supreme Ventures, Digicel, Red Stripe, Jamaica Tourist Board, Cable and Wireless and J. Wray and Nephew - have taken this decision in the wake of artistes' recent performances at the Jamaica Carnival's Last Hurrah where profane language was used by Bounty Killer while Beenie Man incited the audience to use the same.

"What it means is until further notice we will not be sponsoring any shows with these artistes. So promoters can hold their shows with these artistes if they would like to, however, they (corporate sponsors) will not be providing sponsorship support to these shows," Odette Nixon, a spokesperson for the coalition told THE STAR.

This latest development may also impact the artistes' involvement in a multimedia advertising campaign being done under Cable and Wireless' bmobile brand.

No comment

Speaking with THE STAR yesterday, Everald Edwards of the corporate communications department at Cable and Wireless said the company has not yet decided if any action will be taken against the artistes with regard to the advertising campaign. He also could not state when the company would make a decision about the issue.

Management for both artistes said they would have to further examine the statements before they make any comment about the issue.

More research needed

"They (Corporate sponsors) did not specify any names, and I need to do a little more research to fully understand, before I comment, because they (the artistes) have apologised profusely and the sponsors know where they are coming from," said Solid Agency's Sharon Burke, the booking agent for Bounty Killer.

"I would not want to make a comment until I have studied it comprehensively. There might be conditions and so any statement at this time would be premature on my part," was the response from Clyde McKenzie, the director of Shocking Vibes Limited, Beenie Man's local label.

He also questioned the Corporate Sponsors' decision for taking this latest stance. "I would also want to know why this stance was taken, because it would seem extreme to say the least," he said.

According to the statement, the sponsors' decision was in keeping with their responsibility to stakeholders to ensure that their marketing reflects their corporate values. The statement also said they had an even larger responsibility to the public to act within socially acceptable standards.

The statement listed three principles to which the companies were committed which include their refusal to sponsor 'acts or events whose live performances endorse or incite violence, demean or discriminate against any person, or include the use of indecent or profane language'.

In light of these principles and standards they found the artistes' behaviour at the Last Hurrah a violation. "The code is based on the principle that a breach against one sponsor is considered a breach against all. In light of this, until further notice the coalition suspends sponsorship of any event or activity, which includes the offending artistes in live performance," the statement said.

The members of the coalition also sponsor several entertainment events which take place throughout the year. They include Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest, Supreme Ventures Jamaica Carnival and East Fest which is sponsored by J. Wary and Nephew.

Western Consciousness - Near success story

By ADRIAN FRATER,STAR Writer

Wayne Wonder performing at Western Consciousness. - Carlington Wilmot

WESTERN BUREAU:

HAD IT NOT been for the infractions of Fantan Mojah, whose utterances on-stage sparked a bottle-throwing incident at the Llandilo Cultural Centre in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, on Sunday morning, Western Consciousness 2005 would have been yet another success story.

While the Fantan Majah incident, which was due to comments he made after his set was cut short in compliance with the grace period allowed by the police, put a damper on the show, for the true connoisseur of reggae music the earlier performances by the likes of Beres Hammond, Wayne Wonder, Bushman and John Holt should be cherished memories.

As he has been doing at Western Consciousness for the past five years, the dapper Beres Hammond, nattily attired in a gold shirt and matching black pants and cap, offered complete satisfaction. He was at his vocal best as the fans sang, danced and screamed through classics such as, No Disrespect, She Loves Me Now, Double Trouble, Tempted to Touch, and Putting up Resistance.

Responding to the screams of "More, more", Beres Hammond was quite potent with his encore. The tempo never dipped as, in addition to his own dazzling rendition of, No Shot Naa Bus and No Disturbance Sign , he got some vocal help from veteran singer Jimmy Riley, who joined him on stage and delivered a silky-smooth version of Conversation.

If there were any doubts that Wayne Wonder is now a bonafide international star, they were buried at Llandilo. In a performance in which he blended the old and the new, it was near pandemonium when he belted out songs such as his mega-hit No Holding Back and his vintage dancehall hits such as Bashment Girl and Forever Young. The encore he got was well deserved.

The veteran John Holt was in a mood to work and he gave it his all, earning the only double encore of the night. After sending the patrons into a dancing frenzy with Love I Can Feel, Tonight and Ali Baba, he went into overdrive in his first encore with Sweetie Come Brush Me and Tribal War. He then departed in grand style with On the Beach, Wear You To The Ball and Up Park Camp.

Master showdown

With only a few chances coming his way to work in Jamaica, Bushman decided to make the most of his Llandilo opportunity. It was like a master showman at his best, as the versatile singer danced around the stage mixing lyrics with snippets of social commentary.

It was a joy listening to Bushman's pleasing delivery as he covered Bob Marley's Hypocrite, in between dazzling with his own Tradition, Lighthouse and his sweet ballad Downtown.

Of the other acts, Morgan Heritage and Taurus Riley added generously to the mix. Morgan Heritage, playing without the soulful female vocals of sister Una, had Peter and Gramps taking the lead in what was a superb set. Down By The River, with a new sounding mix, She's Still Loving Me and Don't Haffe Dread were exquisitely done.

Taurus Riley is a superstar in the making. His songs are lyrical gems and his delivery of Barber Chair, Larger Than Life, Don't Give Up and I Will be Your Friend are the kinds of effort that quickly lead up the ladder to stardom.

The likes of Jah Mason, Chezedeck, I-Wayne and Turbulence, who appeared in unison prior to the Fantan Mojah debacle, all played short tight sets in keeping with the grace period allowed by the police, but never got a real opportunity to sparkle. However, they did enough to keep their fans happy.

Singer Abdel Wright, the LMJ girls and female dub poet Marsha, who played early sets, never got the type of feedback from the audience to drive up their energy levels. As a consequence, they were good but not great.

Mood:  cool
Topic: Bling Bling * Floss Files

Hearts warm to blind singer

Michael Laing - Germaine Smith Photo











WITH THE TANGIBLE assistance of Luciano, Gregory Isaacs, Gussie Clarke, Ken Boothe and other notable reggae names, blind singer Michael Laing is seeing a dream of his come true.

The singer, who lost his sight after being shot during a robbery attempt in New York in the 1990s, got the artistes on board to help him complete his first musical solo project, after years of set-backs.

Laing migrated to the United States in the 1980s, and ran a music store. During a bungled robbery however, pellets from a shotgun took his sight, and the ability to earn a living. Frustrated, he returned to Jamaica and tried to launch his career as a singer, but the journey has not been smooth.

Dead end street

"When I returned here I was introduced to the Jamaica Society for the Blind for some help, but that was a dead end for me, because they told me that they had no way of turning blind people into the arts. They said, we don't turn blind people into stars here, we help those who fall flat on their faces,"

Laing told THE STAR. "After this disappointment, I decided I needed to restructure myself for the music, and to form a group that would help other people like me who come along."

With the help of people like Fab Five's Frankie Campbell, he and other friends formed The Better World Foundation, a unit designed to help visually impaired artistes. He co-founded the group in 1998, but it has been a rocky road to get where they are now.

"It has been a rocky road since that time, especially with the funds," he noted. "We could do with much help from corporate Jamaica right now. It's only with the help of a few people we got some help to register the company."

The big plan, he says, is to produce his music first, get it distributed, and when it profits use the funds to pump back into the foundation. To date, the first production, Hearts On Fire is the first album to be completed, even though production started from 2001.

"The funds from this CD will be used to produce other marketeable talent that is being wasted on the streets of Kingston. You have so much talent there and other talent inside the children's homes in Kingston. We want them to get record deals too, and sign to foreign companies in Europe just like other artistes," Laing stated.

Connections

Laing received much needed help from industry insiders. He told THE STAR that Gregory Isaacs, Frankie Campbell, Luciano and others offered him studio time and engineers for the project, CD Mastering help came from Gussie Clarke of Anchor Studios, Ken Boothe offered him vocals, plus assistance with the production costs came in from other sources.

He added that he has distributed the album Hearts On Fire to several radio stations, and is hoping that the tracks take off for him to get recognized enough to secure more funds for his group. They have opened an account number at the NCB for anyone wishing to further their cause.

"If it were not for people like those I mentioned earlier this could not happen, cause not everybody want to help a blind artist trying to make it. If we get more help, some talented singers and musicians who are blind can get help with their talent," he said.

Mood:  energetic
Topic: Dancehall Updates

Breathe, Stretch and Shake with Bling Dawg

Bling Dawg - CARLINGTON WILMOT

BLING DAWG WILL soon breathe, stretch, and shake with a workout music video to match the deejay's prowess in the gym.

Now an avid gym goer, the deejay has proudly slimmed down over the years. With the new single 'Breathe Stretch' on the Johnkanoo rhythm, he plans to wrap up shooting an exercise video for the tune soon. The idea, he notes, came from a gym setting, where he will lead the exercise class, similar to Kanye West's 'Workout Plan' music video, where he instructs females on how to lose weight.

"In all these videos I have never heard any Jamaican music being played as the people workout, so I said "why not?" Bling dawg stated.

"I had the idea for a while now, even before Kanye West did his own, but now I decided to go full ahead with it. I think I will be the perfect artiste for it. People tell me that I motivated them even with my fitness thing and how I slimmed down, so why not shoot a video."

The deejay noted that his video will be different as he plans to use it as a platform for product placement.

"It was held up because I wanted some sponsors. I was looking some products to place in the video. Yu know things like sports drinks and dem tings deh. Some (sponsors) say they can not manage but one sponsor looks committed to it. The aim is to take the video and bring it overseas, where their product will be on show to other markets. For a Jamaican product to make it overseas, it would be a great gateway," Bling dawg concluded.

With the innovative approach, Bling Dawg added that he is going into other fields as well.

"I am not just an artiste. I am a businessman. This is just one thing in a list of other projects I started to produce already, with a rhythm called 'Pitbull' and I have a one drop one coming out soon ... Further down I may consider a full length real workout video, but for now it's just the music video."

Clean Slate for Queen Paula

By GERMAINE SMITH, Staff Reporter

Queen Paula - Ian Allen

QUEEN PAULA'S 2004 ended with personal tragedy and injury, but rather than soak it all in, she is declaring that she used the experiences to become a better person.

In the midst of spitting venom on stage shows at fellow female deejays Ruffi-Ann, Macka Diamond, CeCile and others, Paula was nearly cut down in the madness last year. As she hurried from one event in St Elizabeth to another in Kingston one night, her car overturned and was completely totalled. She escaped with only bruises, but not long after, tragedy struck.

"After the accident my father died, and it's like that mek mi get stronger bout life," she told THE STAR this week.

"Mi pick up back the pieces, buried my dad, got a new ride and in the streets now but in a different way. I hooked up with a new deejay now, his name is G-mafia but him used to name Crazy Hype. We communicate good so we par in the streets and at the show dem. I am working with a new booking agent, and she tell me seh mi must be more clean and only do suggestive lyrics, which I do now."

Rough edge

Paula said she took the incidents as signs that she should change a few things in her life, so, though she maintains the rough edge for her live performances, her recorded material has toned down.

"I have about 11 songs which record already for the summer, and all of them clean. They can play on radio with no bleep out or nothing. The new Queen Paula is here. First the weight, now the music. At the show Follow The Arrow weh day ya mi let them know that all the foolishness finish, and mi realize seh this is the year for the females so, mi a do my thing."

Regarding the fans who actually love to see her spewing rawness on the microphone, Queen Paula noted that these fans will enjoy themselves just the same.

"The shows hardcore the same, but not dirty cause yu have radio and television people at the shows and they show it back so yu have to clean. It is hardcore but clean same way, mi just find a different way fi say things," she explained.

"Yu get the crowd same way but yu say things differently. Yu ruff same way but yu ruff in a way dat if pickney even inna the dance same way them no haffi lock off yu mic same time."

That's the plan fi Queen Paula this year."

Vegetarian Delights for Junior Kelly

JUNIOR KELLY'S DIET goes way beyond the supermarket as one would expect. The singer searches hard and long for the right food he feels will nourish the voice that launched him to his present status.

He has no favourite meal, but he loves fruits, and as a vegetarian, he finds other forms of protein to substitute for meat.

"Mi try no stick to one meal, so mi no think mi have a favourite meal within the realms of eating right and being a vegetarian, cause yu taste buds vary," he notes. "Some of the time yu will like this type of food and another time another type of food. I think it is good cause. Inna our society they say too much a one thing nuh good fi nutten, so it's best when yu taste buds rotate. Balance the thing. Mi love mi ackee and saltfish; mi love mi tofu; mi love me veggie chunks."

Kelly notes that he pays attention to what he eats, giving it the same attention and care that he gives to his music.

"Just like the music we study the health, cause it important fi the longevity of you and the strength," he explains. "That's why mi eat all different types of fruits, cause with fruits yu getting it straight from the plant into yu body, as opposed to a factory a process it and put their additives and preservatives," he adds. "You know sometimes yu inna a rush and yu grab a carton of drink from outa the fridge or so, but it best when yu get it like that, right outa the fruit. Mi a lover of fruits."

As a non-meat eater, Kelly says that he finds alternative protein sources scarcely available.

"Yu have red beans for instance, it have the same amount of protein as red meat. Nuff people no know dat, and nuff people no know that certain things weh yu think a go give you calcium like the cow's milk, yu have other natural things weh a good substitute. In fact, I think that cow's milk a the substitute," he notes.

"It's just that inna our society and others, people so used to drinking cow's milk they think that it is the thing they get the most calcium from, but it is the quickest and fastest and just out deh in abundance, but I feel a that a the substitute, mi naa just a talk as a Rasta man, but a that a the substitute."

(See Junior Kelly put his words to the test later this week, when we step into the kitchen to watch him cook a meal.)

Mood:  cool
Topic: Women's Wire

Cedella Marley explores Bob's early life

By MEL COOKE, Freelance Writer


Cedella Marley launches her book 'The Boy from Nine Miles'

which depicts the early life of Bob Marley, at the Bob Marley Museum, Hope Road. - JUNIOR DOWIE

WESTERN BUREAU:

WHEN THE KINGSGATE Preparatory School band finished playing Bob Marley's Jammin to good applause at 56 Hope Road, St. Andrew, on Monday afternoon, Professor Carolyn Cooper of the University of the West Indies (UWI) had a special request.

She asked two girls who had added the rhythmic shiver of rice in empty plastic bottles to the percussions of the band, which also included keyboard, drums and steelpan, to play again. And they did.

Cooper emphasised the importance of the moment, dubbing the instruments 'Jamaracas' and saying "to me it is a symbol of our ability to transform ourselves."

The audience that was present at the cinema at the Bob Marley Museum, and then later at a tent on the grounds, were first-hand witnesses to the launch of the book The Boy From Nine Miles: The Early Years of Bob Marley, written by Cedella Marley and Gerald Hausman, with illustrations by Mariah Fox.

Humble beginnings

To begin with, there was cartoon, complete with a red-lipped kiss from the young Robert's 'really cool transportation' - the donkey Nimble - prayer from representatives of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, speech from Donald Rhodd and brief comments from authors and illustrator. The entire affair was hosted by Professor Cooper.

In retelling the opinion of the core curriculum unit of the Ministry of Education's opinion of the new book, Rhodd said it was a source of inspiration for children - especially those from humble beginnings - who wanted to achieve their goals. It was noted that the book was an "excellent example of descriptive writing", with examples of personification, simile and metaphor present.

The book, which has moved from being an idea in 1986, was written, Cedella Marley said, so that her children would not "learn about their grandfather from a music video or documentary."

She said that this book was the first in a series of three: the other two would cover her father's life from six to 12 and then 12 to 18. She said she would not go further, because "that story done tell already through other eyes."

"I just want to keep it clean and innocent," she said, laughing.

There was innocence not only in the cartoon that started off the launch, but also the presence of the Kingsgate Prep. students, who flanked the small stage.

As Minister Rhodd noted, the book is suitable as support material for the upper primary and lower secondary levels of the school system, with its wide margins, making it friendly, especially to the slow reader.

The Boy From Nine Miles: The Early Life of Bob Marley, has 58 pages, with 17 colour illustrations, along with significant dates in Bob Marley's life, as well as a listing of some of his albums.

Mood:  celebratory
Topic: Women's Wire

Ready Fi Buss' - Young acts get chance to shine

By GERMAINE SMITH, Staff Reporter

Jamila Ellis and 11 of her artistes who are participants in 'Ready Fi Buss - Platinum Style'. - CONTRIBUTED

IN JAMAICA, TALENT in dancehall music rises everyday it seems. What seems seriously lacking are the agencies and bodies designed to shape and guide the talent to stardom and longevity.

Jamila Ellis, daughter of dancehall's 'god-mother', the late Louise Fraser Bennett, is trying to bridge this gap, with an artiste development programme geared at a massive group of community-based artistes.

Her bunch is made up of deejays and singers who hail from different communities in Kingston, but share the desire to make it big time in the business. The programme she runs is called 'Ready Fi Buss - Platinum Style'.

Through 'Ready Fi Buss - Platinum Style', Ellis has used the Sound System Association of Jamaica's office to give education and exposure to the group which she selected to work with. These are acts who are known in their respective communities as artistes, but who have not launched mainstream yet.

With a few years under their belt, she notes that they are steadily growing.

"We have a whole lot of artistes on the list, and it is getting bigger," she noted recently. "The project's aim is to motivate new stars and bring them into the music business. Groom them and educate them, so that they know about the business before they break big, so that they are prepared when the time comes and don't get into any pitfalls.

"We teach them about the music industry, how to go about recording, and their rights in the business. So far, we have taken them on workshops, which feature industry people giving advice to them, and they get to interact and ask questions necessary for their career," she added.

"Apart from that," she continued, "they get exposure on cable network. We have a weekly show titled 'Ready Fi bus', which was started by my mother. We continued with it and highlight some of them each week for the exposure. With the influence we try to get them on certain shows to perform."

She has also used the office to link them to well-known producers, such as Mikey Bennett, King Jammys and others, as well as features on popular stage shows in the early segments. To date some of her members have entered and placed themselves credibly in television's star search, the Tastee Talent Search, and the JCDC Popular Song competitions.

Mood:  celebratory
Topic: Bling Bling * Floss Files

Lutan's first impression LASTS

THEY SAY FIRST impressions last, and Lutan Fyah's debut album is one of those things.

Thumping basslines blended with screaming horns, trumpets, cymbals and other percussion instruments are what help make Lutan Fyah stand out on Time And Place. In fact, the fusion of his chants and the music are what reminds us of what music is supposed to be- music.

The beats are a clever and harmonious mixture of Roots Reggae, Dancehall, and even Hip Hop. The mixture seems seamless, making it ripe for the pickings of foreign markets as well as for local ears.

His topics also score big for him as they are spread well. In the context of so many Rastafarians blasting this and blasting that, it is refreshing hearing him chanting that he is 'Stress Free' and giving thanks.

Being from the crime plagued Spanish Town, one would probably assume his topics would only reflect cops, curfews, and criminals. Lutan however cuts across themes of giving thanks, the demise of farming, love, and ambition among others.

Lutan Fyah deserves his four stars for this album. He makes only one collaboration, that with Yami Bolo for Don't Waste Your Time. This is a plus for him as an upcoming act, because the Yami Bolo name spreads far and wide in the Roots Reggae world.

Where Lutan could have been better, however, is if the team had included the track which had made him become such a visible man in the business. Peace In Spanish Town is a gem, and somewhat of an anthem in the troubled old capital. It has taken the dancehalls and got much respect, and with the present situation facing the town, it's release with the album would make it more relevant to the times.

Despite that, on its own the album stands well, and looks fit enough to sprint off and give a good account of itself.

Mood:  chillin'
Topic: Respect Is DUE

Junior's day

Junior Kelly jogs up a sweat. -

Carlington Wilmot

THE STAR TAPPED into Junior Kelly's life for one day this week and discovered the singer's secrets to his wide smile and his outstanding singing ability. Added to this, we got a strong dose of his hand in the kitchen with a five-star meal fit only for Kings.

Junior Kelly may not grab the number one slots on our local charts with his music, but his European tour dates speak for themselves. His discipline to his craft and the humility he wears on his shoulder give him much support in the streets, and that also speaks volumes. In fact, throughout the day spent with him, the accolades slapped on him by the public ranged from 'big singer', to 'mi big deejay', to 'original boss'. Junior Kelly, it seems lives with a 'quiet hype' about him.

Stamina-building start

The day blasted off with a stamina-building run on the treadmill, which was placed outdoors just next to his swimming pool at his home in Fraser's Content, St Catherine. The mountainous backdrop in this quiet community was the perfect setting for the 45-minute jog on the machine.

As Kelly explained, this was his secret to gaining the energy and stamina which he needs to perform on extended shows like those he does in Europe. According to him, training like an athlete ensures that he is always at his best as an artiste, and not merely getting by.

Performance grade "Mi no want just barely a mek it or just a get a pass mark, cause mi no want a pass mark, mi waan put in 100 per cent," he explained referring to his performance on and off the stage.

"Yu body haffi balance too with the food and the exercise. If you are on the road, sometimes you work for one hour or more for the night, yet yu see some artistes can only do 20 minutes before them start blow, because them caa keep up because them never exercise, and that is a key factor, so I do that every chance I get."

He admitted though, that the fluid nature of the music business makes maintaining a regular workout routine difficult.

He hopped off the treadmill after nearly an hour, then headed straight to a floor mat for his push-up session. After three sets of about thirty, he moved on to the sit-ups where he did roughly the same number.

To top off his workout, Kelly cooled down then plunged into his pool for a brisk ten minutes of free style swimming. A time check revealed that he had a session at the Cell Block Studios in Kingston in half an hour. The swimming was cut short.

With a heavy foot on the gas pedal, we tagged along behind Junior Kelly's Toyota Prado as he flew down from the hills and zipped through traffic towards the Cell Block studio.

Just like his workout, his recording session seemed simple enough for him. Armed with his notepad, Kelly recorded Hard For My Money in a little over an hour, and on an empty stomach too.

"Sometimes when your belly is full, yu caa get the energy and notes them yu woulda like, so a few times yu keep the stomach with little food," he later explained.

Even as he was busy belting out notes, the studio was constantly over-run by other artistes and colleagues who jumped about to the track as if they were at a session.

"Straight number one dat mi singer, memba mi tell yu dat! Another one yu just get Kelly, big tune again," one blurted out over the high-pitched music.

By the time the session ended, Turbulence and members of the Higher Trod camp were ready to record as well. Although he does not ride the local charts much, and a certain hype does not surround him, Kelly, it seems, is an appreciated singer in the streets.

"Yu might no hear nuff a him song dem pon the radio, but a our singer dis!" one shot out to THE STAR team as we headed out.

By this time, day had become afternoon, and we raced behind him again for a DVD shoot at his Downsound Records base. On the way, he stopped by a Luciano music video shoot off Molynes Road, with a smiling Luciano warming up to him.

We ambushed him with a photograph, but the Messenger smiled and posed for THE STAR, blocking traffic for the few seconds in the process.

Memory lane

At Downsound Records, Kelly's chat with a few friends went back 20 to 30 years ago, when jackass corns and bullas cost one cent each. Kelly recalled the days as if they were not long gone, and remembered how his humility gave him props at his school.

"The teacher dem used to trust me a whole heap, so dem used to send me fi lodge the school canteen money. Yu know, a no any and anybody dem used to trust like that. From I was little a so mi stay, and it no change," he stated.

This humility stretched into the kitchen as well. Kelly was a master there, and though we could see that, he remained calm and humorous. He diced carrots and sliced onions like a man who cooked for a living. His meal, French fried cauliflower mixed with a special sauce, fried tofu and pasta marinated in coconut milk, was delicious and made ten servings.

By that time, afternoon became evening, and we headed out to the street for a photoshoot and to meet musician Dean Fraser who had a new rhythm for him to hear and possibly record on. Fraser arrived in his F-150 truck, from which he played the track and Kelly freestyled over it.