Entertainment Round Up

Resident Magistrate Carol Gonzalez-DaCosta Resigns From The Ministry of Justice To Launch Her Debut Album " The Music In Me"

 Resident Magistrate in the Jamaican Lower Judiciary, Carol Gonzalez-DaCosta has resigned from the Ministry of Justice to pursue a career as a professional singer.  Carol’s singing career commenced when she was lead vocalist for Caribs Band, which was the resident band at the time at the Wyndam Hotel. Eight months later she was asked by a booking agent to perform in the Jamaica Resort Circuit and she accepted.  When the hotel circuit began to slow down, she started reading for a law degree.  During her studies and legal career she continued to do music, she did a number of singles during this time, such as “Don’t Cry Tomorrow” which was written, composed and produced by Peter Ashbourne, “Spoilt By Your Love”, “Ocho Rios” and “Second Class Love” which features Buju Banton, and was produced by Donovon Germaine CEO of Penthouse Records and Peter Ashbourne.  Carol was called to the Bar in June 1991 and commenced her legal career as a member of the Public Bar as Clerk of the Court. Shortly after that she became Crown Counsel in the Offices of the Director of Public Prosecutions. In 1995 she continued as Counsel, specializing at Trial Attorney (Advocate). In 1998, she was invited and appointed to the Magistracy by the Chief Justice of Jamaica to preside as Magistrate, hence, giving up her professional singing career entirely.  However, real passion is timeless and recent developments encouraged her to return to the studio and into the spotlight of the performing stage. With the support of her husband Dr. Vernon DaCosta she executively produced her first album entitled “The Music In Me” which is on the independent record label DaCosta Records.  Dean Fraser is the Musical Producer of the album and he has combined the musicianship of Mark Dawson, Kirk Bennett (drums), Mitchum “Khan” Chin & Lamont Savory, Wayne Hammond (guitar), Glen Browne, Michael Fletcher (bass), Robbie Lyn, Carol McLauglin (Keyboards), Denvor Smith (percussion), Carlos Allwood, Micheal Howell, Oneil Smith, Romel Marshall (recording engineers), Rohan Dwyer and Shane Browne (mixing engineers).  The first single being released is “How Come, How Long”, which is a cover version of the renowned Baby Face and Stevie Wonder’s hit single. The song deals with issues of domestic abuse and is expected to make a strong impact and is supported by a well directed music video produced by Flim House Production.  All time favorites like “Hotel California”, “Bring It On Home” and “Kiss Me Goodbye” among others are well arranged and are nicely delivered by this talented singer.

 

The votes have been tallied and it's official - the nominations for the 2008 Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album are:

Burning Spear
The Burning Spear Experience
(Burning Music Production)

Stephen Marley
Mind Control
(Tuff Gong/Ghetto Youths/Universal Republic)

Lee "Scratch" Perry
The End Of An American Dream
(Megawave)

Sly & Robbie And The Taxi Gang
Anniversary
(Taxi Records)

Toots & The Maytals
Light Your Light
(Fantasy)

Reggae music icon Winston ‘Burning Spear’ Rodney (O.D.) is a previous Grammy winner for his 1999 Calling Rastafari CD and has received 10 nominations for his releases over his career to date.  The 50^th Annual Grammy Awards presentation will be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on Sunday, February 10, 2008 to be broadcast on CBS Television nationwide.

 

Chuckle Berry - The Message Is In His Music

Reggae music for a lot of individuals in Jamaica is the medium used to express the harsh realities of the many problems that confront people in their day to day struggle. Artistes use it to highlight the plight of people that have been down trodden and abused by the power structure. So the many voices in Reggae Music sing songs of protest, religion, love and social issues, hence the talented singer Chuckle Berry with his positive message.   Christened Byron Brown he hails from the parish of St. Ann and attended Steer Town Primary School, Marcus Garvey Secondary High School and Fitz Henley Business School. Chuckle Berry’s musical journey started out while he was at Primary School, where he would sing at school concerts and community events.  Like most artistes from the rural areas in Jamaica he had to move to Kingston, the mecca of Reggae music. His first studio recording was for H.I.M’s Production a song titled “Respect Due To Every Sound”. He did an album entitled “Cost Of Living” for record producers Flabba Holt and Leggo which was distributed by Ras Records, a company based in Washington D.C, U.S.A.  He signed a contract with Record producer Castro Brown for three years and in 1990 he toured countries like United States, Europe, Japan and Canada where he had the hit song “Things A Gwaan” which peaked at number 2 on the Reggae Chart. In England his songs “Yearning” which featured Annette Brown, and “Programme” with Luciano were very popular.  After doing some soul searching he returned to the music scene in 2005, with “Equal Rights” and “Hungry” featuring the singer Kharuso, Cindy Lauper’s “Time After Time” with Latoya and “Don’t Give It Up”. His current radio hits “Rasta Nuh Tek Life”, “El Numero Uno” featuring Tsahai, “Rasta Straight”, "Giving It To Har" and "Bad Man" are favorites among Disc Jockeys on FM Radio and the videos “Rasta Nuh Tek Life” and "El Numero Uno" are getting heavy rotation on both cable and television stations.  He is currently working on his soon to be release 18 tracks album entitled “Don’t Give Up”.  Chuckle Berry’s revolutionary spirit echoes the call of rebellion in his music and this consciousness has propelled him in the hearts of the devoted Reggae fans. With an in-depth understanding of Rastafari and African history he will make an indelible mark on the minds of the conscious people of the world as he delivers thought provoking lyrics, without apologies.    The following words are an example of Chuckle Berry's lyrics without apology, the lyrics are taken from his hit 'Bad Man' on the 83 Riddim.

Intro: Hey Dynamite wha gwaan , Nuh deh black black yute mi si wha night? Yeah man. Den how him skin look so light? Hold on deh, sitten mussi do mi eye sight.  No man a bleach him bleach and get white!  Yuh mean seh di colour wha Jah gi yuh dem nuh like? So how dem a gi Michael Jackson a fight an dem nah live right? 

Verse 1:  A nuff a dem not practicing what dem preaching.  Up till now I nuh si di level dem reaching.  They're so straight as dem si a funny guy dem impeach him an nuh si wha dem look like in dem tight pants and dem face bleaching

Chorus: An bout dem a bad man, an a impersonate Rodman. Oh God man yuh nuh si di world full a mad mad mad man?  Mi hear dem sey dem a bad man, an a impersonate Rodman. Oh God man yuh nuh si di world full a mad mad mad man?

Chuckle Berry says, “Reggae music is here to stay and I n I is here to impart my knowledge of history to the people, cause for too long Babylon have my people in spiritual, mental and physical bondage. You see this is as a result of lack of knowledge and understanding of oneself”. 

Dancehall deejay Assassin is now setting his sights on the video for his latest single, "Money Machine." The video will be shot during the second week of December in parts of Kingston, Jamaica and will be directed by Julia Braham.  "Money Machine" is the latest release from Assassin's very own label, Boardhouse Records, which he owns with his manager/brother Gareth Campbell and DJ Jevon "Bones" Bailey. Boardhouse saw its previous productions with three tracks on Assassin's sophomore album, Gully Sit'n (VP Records), in stores now.  Promotional tours for Gully Sit'n have had Assassin not sitting around. In the past three months, he's trekked to America, the U.K, Barbados, and was in Canada last week for a sold-out performance. This holiday will be another busy season for the sensational deejay. Assassin will be celebrating his 25th birthday at a local college in Jamaica (UTECH Papine), which is only fitting for one of the few entertainers out there with a college education. He is currently earning a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management.
 

In Barbados, International recording artist, Patti Labelle, has been honored for her global efforts in the fight against cancer. Labelle was presented with a special award, a diamond studded pendant in the shape of a pink ribbon, at the launch event for the Silent Majority Breast Cancer Foundation (SMBCF) in Barbados on Saturday, December 1, 2007. The event, which is predicted to be an annual fund raising effort for the SMBCF and the Barbados Cancer Society, was the brainchild of SMBCF founder, Monica Cooper. Cooper, a Los Angeles-based casting director and president of Make it Happen Entertainment, will also coordinate the Caribbean International Film Festival, which will take place from April 9 - 13, 2008, in Barbados.   According to Cooper, Labelle was chosen as the guest of honor at the premier function, "An Evening of Wine, Jazz and Hope", based on her personal efforts to aid the cause of cancer throughout the world.  Over the years, Labelle has given much of her time, personal experiences and celebrity status to champion the fight against cancer following the loss of her three sisters and close friends to the disease. She also contributes greatly towards Diabetes and AIDS relief. In acceptance of the award, Labelle unexpectedly graced the guests with a beautiful rendition of “Wind Beneath My Wings,” accompanied by local jazz band Shane Forrester and the I.O.P. band.   Labelle also expressed her commitment to help continue the efforts of SMBCF and CIFF, and said she was looking forward to returning to Barbados for the 2nd annual SMBCF “Evening of Wine, Jazz, and Hope,” in 2008.

 

"Soca Deva" Jadine is getting ready to unveil the video for her first single.  Numerous stars from the soca world will be on hand at Aura on Tuesday, December 18 in Manhattan, NYC to celebrate with the newest face of soca at the video premiere of her hit single, "Don't Call My Phone."  The video features Bajan-actor Lamman Rucker, who starred opposite Jill Scott in the recent box office hit, Why Did I Get Married?