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Mash Explosion on tomorrow- Baby Cham, Anthony B

With the Mashramani Day road parade over and the many soca, chutney and calypso events concluded the stage is now set for a Mash wash down dubbed ‘Mash Explosion’.

Jamaican artiste Anthony B arrived in Guyana yesterday and Baby Cham is scheduled to touch down today on a morning flight out of Miami at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

The concert is aimed at ensuring that persons get a chance to be inspired and it offers a different kind of stress relief after all the soca party sessions.

On the cards to perform tomorrow night are Jamaica’s Digicel Rising star Benetto as well as ‘DJ Gold Teeth’.  Additionally the local line-up will include Alabama of ‘Dem don’t care’ fame, Treyon Garrett out of First Born, and culture/reggae artistes ‘Fire Fred’.

Anthony B’s hits include “Repentance time”, “Fire pon Rome”, “One Thing”, “A De Man”, “Rumour” and “Raid di Barn”. Anthony B followed up with critically acclaimed albums such as “Real Revolutionary”, “Universal Struggle”, “7 Seals”, “Black Star” and “Untouchable”.

No stranger to Guyana, Damian Beckett aka Cham, a Grammy Award-nominated Jamaican recording artist is known for hits like “Ghetto Story.”

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Machel arrives in Guyana ready to thrill Guyanese Fans

Machel MontanoSeveral days ahead of the mega Hits and Jams concert yesterday after much hype soca sensation Machel Montano arrived in Guyana to enjoy the nation’s many mash festivities.

The concert is sponsored by Ansa Mcal’s Stag Beer and will feature Machel as eel as artistes the likes of Patrice Roberts, Zan and Farmer Nappy backed by the HD band. Machael who will be enjoying his first Mashramani experience this year said that the other HD band artistes are completing Trinidad Carnival commitments and will be arriving in Guyana on Monday.

“I’ve performed in Guyana before but this time it’s even more special because this time while I did not perform at carnival because of other commitments I’m here in Guyana for     Mashramani; and I’m bringing a new show, new songs and a new album and I’m here to a good time so come out and support,” the artistes told reporters at the Hits and Jams TV station.

The artistes recently collaborated with Mainstream artistes Janet Jackson and Pit Bull said aside from coming to give Guyanese a good time as he had prophesied that eh would return added that he came early because he is a man of his word and his word is good.

Having performed as the curtain raiser for Beyonce on Thursday night in Trinidad the artistes said the experience was fulfilling and has built on his  quest to take Caribbean music especially soc  to the main stream music arena.

As part of his welcome to Guyana the artiste was presented with a basket of sunshine snacks by the Guyana representative and it was also announced that he recently became  the endorser for the product and will be using this deal to also influence children for positivism.

Being dubbed  a possibly the best soca artistes  for his ever building hype and energising music he said he does not feel pressured by the demand for his music and the creation of an even better  product every time.

To him what has kept soca back is the  fact that  the music is often  produced with a focus on the Caribbean music demands but said if that is to change it will mean that  he will have to focus on meeting the needs of the international market.

The artistes yesterday visited   the Carib mash camp and also made appearances at several Ansa Mcal sponsored parties where he signed autographs, gave away free tickets and socialised. On Mash Day Montano will be observing the float parade and soaking up Guyana’s Mashramani showcase before hitting the stage at the Georgetown Cricket Club Bourda  for the ‘Machel for Mash concert’.

Come out and party offerings to Guyana the group has staged   a Mash launch and two successful parties at the GMR&SC. Now on Monday the group says all roads lead to the Pulse Night Club, Pier Street Kitty where an ‘All White Edition party’ dubbed ‘Acceleration’ would be staged.

On Monday night Machel will be appearing at the Hits and Jams all white glow party too.

The Hits and Jams 2010 Mash offerings began with the Mash Crank up on January 30 that featured Jamaican artistes Charlie Black and Mad Do. The following weekend they hoisted the Soca Jeans party and last week they offered partying fans the ‘Outrageous in colour party.

On Mash Night all the stops will be pulled out for soca fans to experience a most memorable full soca fete where in addition to Machel artiest such as Zan, Patrice Roberts, Farmer Nappy, Guyana’s soca sensation Jumo, Jory, Vanilla, B52 and Spiderman. In addition Guyana’s Heat Wave band will offer the musical accompaniment for several new front line artists including Soca monarch 2007, Malo.

Machel arrived in Guyana fresh out of the Beyonce ‘I am’ show titled ‘boy meets girl’ in the Queen’s Park Savannah,’ Trinidad.

Montano thrills at Beyonce show

Reports out of Trinidad are that Thursday evening the soca superstar took to the stage for his opening act performance at 18:00hrs with a grand fanfare that included an intro featuring Optimus Prime and ending with Destra Garcia joining him on stage to sing ‘Is Carnival’.

It was the first time in three years that the two soca stars had performed together on stage.

After the introduction, the band then struck up the music for ‘No Behaviour’, as the HD Dancers took the stage. Then Montano appeared dressed in a silver outfit.

With the crowd screaming, Montano sang, ‘I Missed You’. He then moved into ‘The Road’ followed by ‘Doh Hold Me Back’.

By this time, more people were getting into the groove and the band moved into ‘Fly Away’. Next up was ‘Slow Wine’, opening the way for Patrice Roberts to enter and exit within one minute.

Montano took the focus again to do some new music as well, including ‘Pepper’ with Serani’s vocals superimposed, followed by ‘Ramajay’. Jamaican dancehall artiste Busy Signal then joined Montano with dancers to perform ‘Whoii Gyul Whoii’.

‘I can’t remember when last I’ve felt so happy. I took time off to reflect. You are no longer just fans, you are my family. This next song is for Haiti. Haiti will rise again,’ Montano told the crowd.

Montano then sat at a piano to sing ‘I Love You’, which he originally did in tribute to producer Shel Shoc, who died last year. Joining him on vocals was Umi Marcano.

Next was ‘Too Young To Soca’ alongside Timell Rivas, followed by ‘Real Unity’ with Pranava. From there it was pure pace, beginning with ‘One More Time’ and continuing with ‘Dance With You’, ‘Congoman’, ‘Is Carnival’ and more.

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Baby Cham, Anthony B heading to GT

Mash Explosion February 27 at the National Park

AlabamaThe stage is being set for Guyana to experience a true Mash explosion reggae and Dance Hall style through the credible promoting abilities of Seven star entertainment and Vizion Sounds promotions.

Come February after the soca hype is concluded fans of dance hall and reggae vibes are encouraged to head to the National Park on February 27 for the official ‘Mash Explosion’ concert.

Headed Guyana’s way for the show are Anthony B and Baby Cham. Anthony B touches down on Thursday February 25 and will be making several appearances on television and radio before the concert  while Baby Cham arrives on February 26 on a morning flight out Miami. he yoo will also be making several appearances before heading to the National Park the following night to perform.

This concert is our way of ensuring that persons get a chance to be inspired and offer a different kind of stress relief after all the soca party sessions. It’s the start of many more promotions with major international artistes, one of the coordinators assures.

Also on the cards to perform on February 27 is Jamaican Digicel rising star Benetto as well as DJ Gold teeth.

Additionally the local line up will include Alabama of dem don’t care fame, Treyon Garrett out of First Born, and culture/ reggae artistes Fire Fred.

Who is Anthony B?

Anthony BDraped in the rich colours of African cloth, his trademark staff in hand, and his dreadlocks wrapped regally on his head, Anthony B embodies all that it is spiritual and proactive about Reggae music. This artiste has been steadfast in his mission to represent the poor and oppressed, using sharp lyrics to confront political injustices and bring the issues of the people to the forefront. In the process, he has raised the quality of performance standards and lyrical content for the industry, through the release of 13 albums, over 1000 singles and appearances on over 100 albums in the last 14 years.

Anthony B’s musical journey started in the church, back when he was still called Keith Anthony Blair in Clark’s Town, Trelawney. In this part of rural Jamaica, Anthony B was immersed in the thunderous chants and rhythms of Revivalism and the Seventh Day Adventist church where he honed his soon-to-be signature vocals. In his formative years, the artiste also cleaved to the music of Otis Redding and the incomparable Peter Tosh.

In 1992, Anthony B left his home-town and set out to make his fateful mark on Kingston’s music scene. He rebuked the trend of girl and gun lyrics popular at that time and remained faithful to words of spiritual consciousness and social conviction. He started working with singer Little Devon, who introduced him to Richard “Bell” Bello, of Star Trail Records, producer for Garnet Silk and Everton Blender. Bell saw the talent of the youngster and shared his commitment to conscious music. The partnership produced a slew of records and releases, such as “Repentance time”, “Fire pon Rome”, “One Thing”, “A De Man”, “Rumour” and “Raid di Barn”. Anthony B followed up with critically acclaimed albums such as “Real Revolutionary”, “Universal Struggle”, “7 Seals”, “Black Star” and “Untouchable”. He also struck out on his own to start his own label, Born Fire Records in 2002. He produced 3 albums independently; Street Knowledge, That’s Life and Life over Death. In addition he released two collaboration albums “Too Strong” with Sizzla and “Three Wise Men” with Sizzla and Luciano.

Anthony B’s latest hit singles include “Sleeping in the Rain”, “Satisfaction”, “Bad From Long Time”, and “Teaser” and come from his highly-anticipated 13th album, “Life Over Death”. In January 2009, Anthony is set to release yet another album with Greensleeves Records. The album, “Rise” produced by Frenchy Maximum Sound, continues Anthony’s legacy as he proves himself to be one of Reggae’s most prolific and engaging artistes, an electrifying performer whose music grips the public social conscience.

Baby Cham

Baby ChamNo stranger to Guyana Cham born Damian Beckett on February 24, 1977 is a Grammy Award-nominated Jamaican recording artist, most well known for his 2006 single “Ghetto Story” from his major label debut album of the same name, a song which led to multiple “story” songs by other artists in a similar vein.

He is currently signed to Atlantic Records, and was previously known as Baby Cham, until 2005. He is still called “Baby Cham” by his Jamaican fans and fans from around the world.

The Miami New Times referred to Cham’s 2000 debut album Wow…The Story as “the most anticipated album in years from any reggae artist,” and a Washington Post review of a live Cham concert in 2006 described him as “the man who may be the next Sean Paul — a dancehall artist who crosses over to the U.S. hip-hop market.”

Throughout his career, Cham has collaborated with many hip-hop and R&B artists such as Foxy Brown, Alicia Keys, Carl Thomas, Shawn Mims, Akon, and T-Pain.

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Guyanese heritage singer gets Jamaica EME award

Melanie FionaAfter being among the nominees for her first regional honour Guyanese singer Timeka Marshall last week walked away with out the award that would have dubbed her the best new female artiste at the Jamaica Excellence in Music and Entertainment Awards EME.  But Guyana can still boast of sealing it first awards at the Jamaica EME non-the-less through Melanie Fiona a Canadian born to Guyanese parents but Guyana can be gratified that some one who prides her self in identifying with her roots Guyana can celebrate.   She along with India Arie was bestowed with the International friend of Reggae Awards at the EME.  Melanie Fiona recently completed a tour with Kanye West and is fast becoming a talking point in the R&B music circuit.

Marshall lost the ‘best new female artiste’ award to Lisa Hyper. She could not be reached for a comment but Kerwin Bollers her local manager said her being nominated for the award was an honour and that she will remain steadfast in her quest in the land of wood and water to possibly be the breakout Guyanese artiste who wins a Grammy award.

Like many, she was nominated for the Guyana 2009 Accolade music awards and has at least two crystals to her name. The songbird who hails from Linden was the lone Guyanese among eight Jamaican nominees at the EME for the ‘BEST NEW ARTIST FEMALE.

The award, according to the nominations criteria is given to an artist whose overall impact during the eligibility year establishes her public identity.  Timeka who was home in Guyana for a few weeks has taken a well deserved break and has gone to Trinidad for carnival after recording several songs at the Vison Sounds studios on some Jamaica produced rhythms. Bollers said she will be releasing a few songs in the next couple of weeks and will also commence filming for three new music videos in Guyana and several other Caribbean countries.

The prestigious Excellence in Music and Entertainment (EME) Awards was staged on Thursday February 4, at the Gardens of the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, Kingston. The other nominees in that category were Gaza Indu, Phyllisia, Raine Seville, Sophia Squire, Gaza Kim.

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Jory Completes photo shoot for album

Jory‘Ah de real thing’ may soon be ringing out on radio in dance halls and homes nationwide as Jory gears to release his first mix-tape at the Mash weekend. His adviser, Kerwin Bollers, of Hits and Jams, said that the quiet but talented sing-jay will give another side of his persona lyrically and through some professionally snapped photos out of the Aubrey Photo Studios.

This publication has happened upon some of the unedited versions of the photographs and we hasten to say that it borders on gruesome as it depicts the reality that Guyanese musicians are forced to endure.

He spends most of his days fighting fires but one can but imagine the imagery created that sees him spiting lyrical fire by the Sophia kid who knows how to hype up any party scene in or out doors.

Taking his career to another level Jory recently joined forces with entertainer Kerwin Bollers and his fans can look out for the release of his first mixed tape.

Jory said, “My tape will feature me free-styling on some of the hottest dancehall, hip hop, reggae and pop tracks that showcase Jory the singer/ entertainer singing about life and reality”.

Titled ‘Say what me want fuh Say’ the recordings were done with insight from entertainer Kerwin Bollers who has to some degree taken on Jory’s management.

“This is part of an arrangement we made to better my chances of becoming a more marketable artiste while taking local entertainment to the next level,” Jory said.

Jory Hector, 26, is a professional fireman. He says that he has already completed all of the songs for the free style tape and is again reiterating the need for persons to buy the original versions. “Its mainly a free style mixed tape where I don’t sit and write I just let the lyrics flow sharing my thoughts on real life stories that basically say what I want to say,” Jory said.

Being a Guyanese artiste with big dreams to one day make the big time, this release to him, will hopefully be his breakthrough to the main stream of the Caribbean music scene.

Jory’s  most recent live performance  saw him   getting  even more forward than Jamaican sensations, Charlie Black and  Mad Dog, at the National Park as part of the   Hits and Jams Mash Crank Up show.

On Christmas night 2009 he performed at the National Stadium as the main opening act for Busy Signal and created quite the hype that by far out weighted any response received by local acts at an international show.

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Banks DIH launches rich shimmering quality costumes

After being out of the Mashramani road parade for four years Banks DIH is back in the play with a bang. On Friday evening the company officially launched its rich mostly red and gold costumes under the theme ‘our country, our life, our beer’ curvy models showcased the creative costumes that will certainly add to the merriment and imagery on February 23.

Designed by Trevor and Michele Rose the husband and wife combination that ensured that Digicel won all their prizes several years ago, they are confident and optimistic that Banks DIH will be walking away with most if not all of the prizes for the big band and other costume categories on mash day.

With a focus on promoting the locally produced Banks beer the presentation features lots of gold, bronze and red glitter dust mixed with body paint and shimmering costumes that border on exotic with elaborate head pieces adorned with feathers. These were among the displays by models as the company offered a taste of the Banks DIH offerings to Guyana for the nation’s 40th Republic anniversary.

Banks DIH sales and marketing manager, Carlton Joao amidst the jubilation expressed pleasure at the quality costumes showcased at the Facts N Roses Garnette street location. He said all plans are in train because “we want all Guyanese to come and Mash downtown the way it should be done…it’s our Republic anniversary and frothy years is worth celebrating,” Joao emphatically said.

All told the company is presenting a 500 strong contingent that will feature 200 full costumes and 300  semi costumes as well as individual floats such as the a king, and queen. Additionally Joao said also that his company all told is spending in excess of $5M to ensure that Guyana’s 40th Republic Anniversary is memorable

Mingles Sound Machine will provide live entertainment and hype along the mash route  offering a plethora of live Guyanese music on Mash Day and the live performance will include Kross Kolor team comprising Soca sensations, Vanilla, B52 and Bones Man and Jumo among others.

Joao explaining eth concept said “we are supporting local music because this celebration is about us as Guyanese enjoying our culture in our country as part of our life with our beer.”

He also announced that the costumes are free and that his contingent will be made up of persons drawn from staff, their families and customers.

Last evening the Banks DIH sponsored national senior calypso semi-final was staged at Blairmont where 25 contenders took on each other for a chance to be among the top ten finalists.

By Mondale Smith

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Mash camps tour presents impressive costumes

With nine days to go before persons adorn themselves with costumes or joining the revellery to celebrate Mashramani 2010 designers and their teams are working overtime showcases Guyana in various creative forms and colourfully so.

A Mash Secretariat team headed by Culture Minister Dr. Frank Anthony, his Permanente Secretary Alfred King and Mash coordinator Lenox Canterbury visited five mash camps in the capital city and have all expressed satisfaction with what they have seen. The minister said that to date 31 companies, groups and regions have already signed on while he is optimistic that at least nine more companies will sign up for the mash day float parade to reach the 40 bands aim.

By Mondale Smith

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Digicel almost ready for the road

Digicel Flower Costume The team’s first stop was the Digicel camp in the company’s paring lot where costume designers were busying themselves with final touches to the individual creations such as a giant size hibiscus flower, the mammoth honey Bee and the wings of the Humming bird. Contracted designer Olympia Sunnaram reported that all the full costumes numbering more than 100 are completed and that the main focus at present is on the completion of the large individuals from each section.

“Our work is 98 percent complete so by Sunday the Digicel camp will be ready for the road,” a beaming Sonoram reported.

Obviously impressed and pleased with the quality of work and the finish as well as the pace at which the costumes were completed Digicel’s head of Marketing Jacqueline James said that “all our costumes were free and they are all gone so look out for  us on the road because we will be out to win all the prizes”.

James also said that the company’s mash fit work out programme being executed by the Curtis workout team will be hitting the road with many surprises in formations and coordinated dances etc.

As the minister’s team viewed  the costumes and hard of the concepts words such as impressive, commendable, creative and a great encouragement were used to describe the costumes and the rate of construction as well as the themes that will take to the road on February 23 as Guyana celebrates it’s 40 Republic anniversary.

Digicel Bee CostumeThe next stop was the Ansa Mcal’s Carib beer mash camp on Robb Street which is also being headed by Sonoram. There camp workers were busy cutting cardboard head pieces as ell as pasting and shaping other materials to create a sea of mostly yellow and blue costumes accentuated by sequins and Guyana flags as well as Carib signatures.

There again Sunnoram placed the work at being almost 95 percent completed. “The costumes are all done and most of the head pieces so we are finishing off some others and are also working to complete the bigger individual pieces. Those should be done  by Tuesday or Wednesday in time for the Mash night showcase on February 22,” Sonoram said.

That camp also features some blasting soca music from the Stereo Sonics sounds spun by DJ Bevaughn and as at last night, the mash camp soca partying and hang out got started. The costumes are being constructed under the theme that focuses on promoting low carbon development and climate change with golden rays of the sun that offers hope on the horizon according to Sonoram. All told the Carib camp will be creating a yellow and blue sea numbering more than 200 strong in full costumes.

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Minister Jennifer West ford designs PSM costumes

The Public Service Ministry as at yesterday was a cut above the rest when the Mash committee team visited and Minister Jennifer Westford is wearing the costumes designers’ cap. Her Ministry is the first to show case its costumes and will be making it debut in the costumes float parade with an individual queen and 50 revellers.

The theme focuses on ensuring government’s focus on development of its human resources in the various sectors be it medical, Engineering or agriculture. There is also a special section for electricity with helmets that light up and the Minister said the concept is hers and with the help of her staff her costumes constructions were cost effective and made of materials bought locally at some unbelievable prices. “I decided to do this because most of the designers prices are exorbitant so I decided to do it myself and you wouldn’t believe how cheaper its is,” the proud Minister turn costume designer said.

The mash camp visits ended with the official launch of the Banks DIH 500 strong mash band which will be coming 500 strong. More details on that fantastic band in tomorrow issue.

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Lisa Hype, Stone Love headed Guyana’s way for Mash Double header

“Put yuh money whey yuh mouth deh”

Lisa Hype might have been ousted from the Vybz Katrel and Portmore Empire for un-stated reasons but that has not put a damper on her career. Kartel did not show up last year but Hype, according to promoters, definitely will be in Guyana for two shows as part of the private mash offerings.

Based on information this publication has received it looks as if Guyana is in for some serious rough romping dancehall style on February 22 and February 23, in Guyana.

Under the theme “Put yuh money whey yuh mouth dey” Ruff Kut Entertainment headed by Neil Cadogan aka Cody is set to offer Guyana a Mash Double Header at the Enmore Guinness Bar and then at Club Cloud 9, Regent and Albert Streets respectively.

‘Cody’ said that the Enmore Bar will come alive with a live performance from Jamaica’s hottest female DJ, Lisa Hype and Mc Nuffy, who became famous as Sting’s MC, and an upcoming artiste, Baba Dee, a popular Wedi Wedi DJ from Jamaica’s Stone Love Movement.

Added entertainment at the Enmore Guinness Bar will include King Scorpion Sounds, DJ Moses and Trendsetters.

This event is slated to be the VIP party where there’ll be autograph signing, photo opportunities and guest appearances by the artistes.

The main event is slated for Mash Nite at Club Cloud 9 on Regent and Albert Streets where the ex-Gaza First Lady will unleash her venom in the club which will be expanded to the upper and middle floors to triple its present capacity. She’ll be ably assisted by MC Nuffy, and Babba Dee.
According to Cadogan these two events mark the beginning of a series of club shows for 2010 by Ruff Kut Entertainment. The last time Lisa Hype performed in Guyana was at the National Stadium with Vybz Kartel and his total entourage.
Imperfect thoughts are the cause of all humanities ills, including disease, poverty and unhappiness.