Jamaican Music News

De I Am makes Discovery

By MEL COOKE, Freelance Writer

Poet De I Am (Fitzroy Coleman.) - Contributed

Western Bureau: THE POET DE I Am is in a somewhat curious position. He does not have a chart hit, is not a regular performer on the local stage show circuit, does not have fantastic things published or said about him in the media - and he will soon be seen in over 200 countries.

In what may be a case of a prophet - or, rather, a poet - not being without honor, save in his own land, De I Am was a major part of a video shoot carried out in Jamaica last month for the Discovery Channel by Pollazia TV from Holland. He was spotted by researcher Sebastian Pot while performing at the Orchard Village in Liguianea.

De I Am's section was very extensive. He was filmed on his farm in the hills of rural St. Andrew, performing his poetry at Redbones on Braemar Avenue in New Kingston and by his mobile produce outlet near Mary Brown's Corner on Constant Spring Road.

Fitzroy Coleman, as De I Am is known on his birth certificate, sows both the seed and the word. While the one for the body may be bearing fruit (in more ways than one) more quickly at the moment, the one for the mind is taking root slowly but very surely.

In fact, a customer at his Bedford truck is as likely to get a dose of 'poeasophy' as a couple fingers of the largest plantains one is likely to see around town.

However, it is not an unusual mixture for a man who is as much an expert in exotic carpets as he is at the precise time when a coconut is ready for the drinking.

"I decided to humble myself," De I Am explained his choice to till the soil. "I looked and said this was the humble profession."

If one were to pinpoint the instant of transformation, it would most likely not be his decision to leave the carpet business and go into farming, but the moment he wheeled his truck filled with produce into the parking lot of his former place of employment - and sold food to his former co-workers.

Exposure to his work, by sight or sound, will quickly reveal that such a delightfully audacious act is not out of character at all. Such work is encapsulated in a CD single entitled The Message, available through All Access Entertainment in Central Plaza, St. Andrew. This disc contains the poems Land of Democracy and Selection Time. A book is also in the works, a 'Book of Poeasophy And De-Doctrination', which, in the 14 pieces of varying length between the prologue and epilogue contains poems like The Layman:

So how can we as a nation survive under these situations

Always turning the other cheek, waiting in line for a chance to speak

People, lets rebel against their laws and against their system

And if blood has to run, keep it running.

This discovery, however, is not an overnight thing; in fact, it has been a lifetime in coming. De I Am was born in St. Thomas, his exposure to music and the arts coming from three main sources. One was his mother's involvement in creating dances for the annual Festival celebrations; the second was his sound system, Conscious Movements, which he started when he was 14; and third was his attempt, along with his brother, to produce George Faith and Winston Hammond's album for Island Record in the 1970s.

He has performed at the Red bones Blues Cafe on several occasions, in addition to being featured on 'My Place" (KLAS FM), 'Sound Bite' (RJR), Poetry in Motion (Roots FM), read at the 2002 Calabash International Literary Festival andhas been on the television show 'Man Talk'.

However, his largest stage to date has been Western Conscious-ness, held on April 20 at the Llandilo Cultural Centre in Westmoreland, and he is looking forward to the annual 'Tribute to Peter Tosh' show, to be held in Negril, Westmoreland, on October 19.

Very soon, he will be performing for the world.

'Eva' Burrell is producing beautiful music, rhythms

Everton 'Eva' Burrell around the console in the studio.

EVERTON 'EVA' BURRELL is one of three studio engineers working out of the Kings of Kings studio in the Princeville Plaza on Constant Spring Road.

The 28-year-old Jamaica College old boy resonates such passion for and commitment to his job as a studio engineer, he could force even the most disinterested person to want to listen as he talks about his work.

However, it is not only Everton's enthusiasm that is impressive. His confidence, vast knowledge and deep love for what he does is almost frightening.

It is of interest though, that he did not start out as a studio engineer. He was an electronic technician, repairing television sets and radios.

He said he left the business because he was having problems with customers, plus he was always hanging out at Celestial Sounds, a studio where his younger brother was employed. These two factors helped steer him to the path he now follows.

One night his brother, Cordell 'Scatta' Burrell, who was the studio engineer at Stephen Ventura's, Celestial Sounds, grew tired while recording an artiste, and invited Everton to take over from him. Everton told THE WEEKEND STAR that he recorded 'Yabba U', a singer and realised that he was a natural. That, he said, sealed his decision to become a studio engineer.

Stephen Ventura, the owner of Celestial Sounds, and who the engineer credits with helping his career, saw Eva's latent talent and decided to groom him. Ventura provided Burrell with formal training and a job. Everton attended an eight-week studio engineering course that Ventura himself taught.

Celestial Sounds, which was then located on Molynes Road, is important to Everton in many ways. It was there that the two brothers, Cordell and Everton, met the influential Colin 'Iley Dread' Levy, who was one of the studio's many clients.

Levy would play a significant role in the development of Burrell's career. He recruited Cordell Burrell as his personal studio engineer and before long, Everton was also on board, ending his three-year stint at Celestial Sounds.

He has been at Kings of Kings studio since 2001 and has helped to create more than five hit rhythms namely Chiney Gal which features Ce Cile's Changez, Double Jeopardy, Martial Arts, and Famine ,which is the latest and features over 20 artistes.

His job requires that he performs many roles.

Everton states that one of his responsibilities is to ensure that the finished product, the CD, is flawless. "In other words not hearing someone singing, then hearing them cough." He also balances the rhythm with the singer's voice and ensures that the singer's voice is not too low.

While the artiste is 'voicing', Everton is at the mixing board, listening for any imperfections such as cracks in the voice or heavy breathing. If there is a fault then the tape is rewound and corrected.

Everton also echoed a sentiment shared by many studio engineers, that after the singer/deejay has recorded his voice and left the studio, the work has just begun. It is at this point that the mixing process becomes more detailed and technical. He now has to balance the rhythm once more, adding equalizer and other effects to give the music a 'fat' sound.

Here, the engineer has to be careful that the situation does not turn into a 'Milli Vanilli', so to speak, whereby an artiste's voice sounds too good, artificially. After this, the work in progress, known as the mix is recorded to a digital audio tape, DAT, which is then sent to the record manufacturer.

Everton cannot think of any other job that he would switch to at this point. The perks include traveling and meeting people from all over the world, and to top it all off, studio engineering, in the strictest meaning, is not a regular nine-to-five job. According to Everton the drudgery and monotony of getting up early to get to work is, thankfully, absent.

What does he hates about being a studio engineer? When singers and deejays insist on cutting corners, and seek to 'hop on' to a successful rhythm, thus devaluing its worth and taking the substance out of dancehall and killing the genre internationally.

Right now though, the Kingston-based studio engineer is all about making beautiful music and producing rhythms in the Kings of Kings studio.

'Shadow Girl' bent is on a high with her new cd.

Over the years, women in the music industry have spoken of the obstacles they have to overcome to get that much-needed break. These range from sexual harassment to prejudice.

Singer/songwriter, dancer and choreographer, Jana Bent, says she has not had much bad experiences since she came on the scene three years ago.

The multi-faceted Bent is currently preparing for the release of her sophomore CD, Shadow Girl, the follow-up to Chase The Sun, her 1999 debut.

"The only thing (bad) that I have experienced is the fact that people look at me and judge me; I have been stereotyped. I am looked at as this uptown girl who is doing music, it's totally not like that," Bent said in an interview with All Woman.

Singer, dancer, choreagrapher and musician

To reinforce her point she recalled a recent incident. "I am not a fan of soca music, however, I went to an event at a venue that was going to host a soca event later that night. There was this guy who right away assumed that I was a soca fan and thought I was going to come to the show later in the night," she said. "He just assumed by looking at me, that this uptown 'browning' is going to come to the soca party."

Bent has been into music since her early years. Her father, Rupert Bent Snr, is an accomplished guitarist so too her brother, Rupert Jnr, who was formerly with the Third World band.

"When we were growing up, it was my father who sort of opened our appetite for music," said Bent. "He had such a broad taste in music and often played the latest in pop, jazz and classical music," she added. "We also traveled a lot, because of my father's privileges as a pilot. Traveling made us more aware of different music forms and culture from the countries that we visited," she said.

Bent once worked as a choreographer for the Sandals Group and is a former back up singer and choreographer for dancehall superstar, Shaggy. She was featured in music videos for the deejay's hit singles, Bombastic and In The Summertime.

She has also toured with The Wailers, Damian "Junior Gong" Marley as well as Richie Stephens and soca star, Denyse Plummer.

A former student of the St Hugh's and Priory High Schools, Bent completed studies at Campion College before heading off to the University of West Ontario where she earned a degree in psychology.

Chase The Sun bore some similarity to the acoustic sound of Canadian pop star, Alanis Morrissette; through songs like Say You Care, Still Wish and The Way I Do, it received good rotation on local airwaves.

"The album did far better than we had anticipated. We didn't make any attempt for it to appeal to any particular market," said Bent. "We just did what we felt in our hearts, what we loved to do."

Shadow Girl is tentatively slated for release later this year, and will carry 10 songs. You So Fine and My Man Dat (featuring Canada-based Belinda Brady) are among the songs making the final cut.

"I have a couple of combinations on the album. There is a song that Rude (formerly known as Italee) wrote with me. There is a song called No Regrets that I am hoping to have a prominent deejay featured on the remix," Bent disclosed.

Her brother Rupert Jnr; Jeremy Harding, and Derrick Brin are among the producers contributing songs to the new album.

Bent is hoping for a repeat of the success she gained last year with the catchy You So Fine, which was later included on a compilation released by Promo Only, which services music to club and radio disc jocks in North America, the Caribbean and Europe.

"Squeeze from Fame FM told me that it would be a good idea to submit the song to Promo Only, and I was surprised that the company accepted the song. It was included on a compilation with songs from Destiny's Child, R Kelly, and Mary J Blige among others," explained Bent.

"I think the first album laid the groundwork for You So Fine, and that in turn paved the way for the upcoming album," Bent stated. "I have been blessed to have gotten the local attention with my music. It has been a lot of work and heartache. The placing of emotions and hopes were hanging in the air."

And what of her plans for the future?

"Hopefully this album will attract an international distribution deal for our label Gypsi Music, and I will be able to go through those doors that Shaggy has opened up for artistes from Jamaica. I want to put out the best quality product," she concluded.

Girls, Girls Everywhere

left: Horatio Hamilton of LOY Entertainment, the promoters of Sashi, makes a point to rapper Lil Kim at The Slumber Yard Pyjamas After-Party on Wednesday night. - Winston Sill Photos

THEY CAME IN lingerie, were seen by all and left very little to the imagination for those present.

They were the girls that strutted their stuff at the Sashi Slumber Yard Pyjamas After-Party held at Bibi-Bips in Ocho Rios. Not even the entrance of veteran deejay Super Cat could take away the attention from these girls for too long.

The night started slowly with only a few persons strolling into the venue as popular sound system Stone Love juggled local and international tunes, as the crowd trickled in slowly.

The majority of persons stood around drinking alcohol and other beverages while a few sat on the four beds covered in white sheets at the centre of the venue.

All that was to change though as at midnight, an entourage with six girls all dressed in lingerie arrived. The scantily-clad girls immediately caught the attention of the crowd and persons with cameras scrambled to get photos of the women of the moment.

Above: This female patron was enjoying both the drink and music at the Sashi Slumber Yard Pyjama After-Party at Bibi-Bips Beach, Ocho Rios.

The only other arrival that drew that much response was the arrival of Super Cat with Sashi boss Horatio Hamilton. The deejays stopped and talked to a few persons while the cameras flashed.

He declined to do any interviews and later Sashi publicist Odessa Chambers explained that only photos of the deejay could be taken.

For the most part the deejay kept to himself, standing between the beds smoking a cigar and taking a sip from a glass. He rocked to the tunes as they were played.

The deejay was soon forgotten and it was back to the ladies, especially those who exposed most, and in some cases all their body parts.

They posed for the cameras, chatted among themselves and did not seem to mind the attention. Not even the Stone Love selectors could avoid paying attention to the ladies as they continuously 'bigged' them up.

This young woman was obviously pleased with whatever she saw at the Sashi Slumber Yard Pajamas After-Party in Ocho Rios on Wednesday.

The excitement stepped up an additional level when the selector played a series of selections from the 'Juice' rhythm. He played Shake Yuh Bam Bam which had the ladies wining uncontrollably.

For the persons in clothes, the occassion remained a big party affair with dancing, drinking and smoking being the order of the early section of the night.

Musicians honored for contribution to Ja's music

TEN PEOPLE who played a part in the development of Jamaican music throughout the years were awarded by King Omar Productions at 'Tributes to the Greats 5' on Saturday night.

At the awards ceremony held at Curphey Place in Swallowfield, Lee "Scratch' Perry, Cyril 'Count C the Wizard' Brathwaite, Jeremiah 'Count Boysie the Mohawk' McIntosh, Garfield 'Fat Man' Barrett and Noel 'King Sportie' Williams were awarded for making their mark on the industry. Other awardees included Alvin 'Seko' Patterson and Mortimo Planner. Delroy Wilson and Aubrey Adams were awarded posthumously.

The night began slowly with the awardees receiving adulation for their contributions to the development of Jamaican music, sound systems, and events promotion much to delight of some members of the audience who applauded their favourite awardees.

Cyril 'Count C the Wizard' Brathwaite and Jeremiah 'Count Boysie the Mohawk' McIntosh were awarded for their contributions to the sound system development. Noel 'King Sportie' Williams was also awarded in this category for his outstanding work as a sound system selector. The award was received by his daughter Marguerita who, on her father's behalf, thanked King Omar Productions for the award and wished the organizers well.

Wilson, whose widow Cecelia received the posthumous award, was cheered vociferously. Adams' award was received by his nephew Gladstone 'Gladdy' Anderson. Both recipients were grateful for the awards and promised to cherish it on behalf of their departed loved ones.

The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Lee 'Scratch' Perry, while Derrick Harriott and Mortimo Planner received awards for being pioneers.

Planner, it was said, was responsible for bringing the Wailers to Studio One as well as introducing Bob Marley to Rastafarianism.

While the awards ceremony was a large part of the reason for the function, the high point came after the ceremony with the performances of the invited artistes. There were good performances from Roy Richards, Lone Ranger, Derrick Harriott, Alton Ellis and Peter Austin.

Richards, with his harmonica, performed South Vietnam which he said was a number one hit. He was the consummate entertainer, teaming up well in the early stages with Miss Enid of Keith and Enid fame on If You Didn't. This selection had the crowd applauding vigorously.

Lone Ranger's tight 10-minute set saw him performing Let Me Tell You Bout A Girl I Know and Love Boat while Harriott was able to draw laughter during his cameo appearance.

Ellis and Austin did well, reeling off hits from their heyday which went over well with the patrons.

Not since Where It's At back in the late 1970s to early 1980s, has local television screens been lit up with a hyped and pumping local entertainment/dance-oriented television show, until recently when CVM television began its latest sensation, The Party, which is aired on Saturdays on the E-Strip from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

"The whole concept has been toyed with for a long time. It is a dance party kind of show that will give young people a chance to express themselves," explained the show's producer and creator, Winford Williams.

The Party is reportedly growing in popularity among children, teens and even adults. According to Williams, the show is so popular the switchboard at CVM-TV has been inundated with numerous calls from young people wanting to be on the show.

Williams' interest with working on a programme of this nature arose out of his own interest in pop music and popular dance moves while he was a youngster.

Partygoers getting their groove on

"I am interested in how these youngsters can come up with their own creative energies and become trendy with pop dancing, music, partying and new dances. Being involved in television, I had always wanted to have a show of this nature. However, the cost for production was always a hindering factor," said Williams.

However, once he got the go-ahead from his superiors at CVM-TV, plans for The Party, began to get into gear.

"Last year I did a proposal and submitted it to management and they were interested", he added.

Gail Davis (left), host of The Party, interviews an upcoming artiste.

The Party has been on air for the past nine weeks. Its production team comprises of 15 persons.

Members of the technical crew include Marvin "Fire" Campbell (cameraman); Tamika Silvera (floor manager/editor); Oneil Walters and Simone McFarlane (production assistants).

The show is pre-taped each Thursday afternoon at the Asylum Nightclub in Kingston.

Dancers and guests are invited to the taping to create the party-like atmosphere.

Gi mi a Heyyyy!

"The dancers and invited guests who are on the set are very special to us at CVM-TV," said Williams.

The Party is hosted each week by the 1998 Miss Teen Jamaica winner, Gail Davis. Davis also finished 3rd in the 2001 Miss Jamaica World beauty pageant.

For her, hosting the weekly show is a challenge not to be missed.

"I was always asked to emcee shows, and when the opportunity came for me to host this show, I was very nervous. It has been very challenging for me. In the first few weeks, I made a lot of mistakes, but my producer, Mr. Williams, has always taken the time out to correct me and instruct me on what to do, and how to handle things. He always guides me," explained Davis.

She has somewhat become a household name since she began hosting the show, and is recognized whenever she is in public.

"Just the other day I went into a pharmacy and I saw a young boy with his parents and he was saying, "Daddy, see GD there. See Gail there'," said Davis.

"The feedback that I have been getting from persons on the road has been very positive,", she said.

Since it began airing, The Party has so far featured performances from the likes of Elephant Man, Delly Ranks, General Degree, Wayne Marshall, Mr G, rapper Nadz, To-Isis, singer/dancer Aisha, and Wickerman, among others.

Eight features comprise the programming of The Party. They are:

* "Juggling" - This features turntable prowess from either a sound system or popular selector, juggling the latest dancehall party shots.

* "Who's Knocking" - This segment features new and upcoming artistes all needing that big break.

* "Pop Style" - This segment of the show highlights the latest in fashion, or what is hot, trendy and in vogue. It can also be food, or a hairstyle or a slang.

* "Tuff Music Video" - This segment highlights a hot local music video.

* "What's Hot" - What is hot in entertainment, it could be a rhythm or a hit song.

* "Starlight" - An already familiar artiste/entertainer is featured here.

* "Dance Moves" - the latest dance move is highlighted here.

* "Preview"- An upcoming show or event that is CVM-TV-endorsed is featured in this segment.

For the summer, Williams is optimistic that the show will have an increasing number of youngsters glued to their television screens. "We have a lot in store for the summer, so look out for them," he disclosed

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