Ashé
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“Edutainment”
Ashé Caribbean Performing Arts Ensemble, one of the Caribbean’s most exciting and innovative performing arts companies was launched in October 1993. Originating from the Yoruba language, Ashé means strength, power and the god within, and these qualities have influenced the ensemble’s groundbreaking work.
Conroy Wilson, the ensemble’s executive creative director elaborates, “Ashé is first and foremost about empowerment, and you know once you empower people they can do and be anything…when people see Ashé perform they are always so caught up in the energy and they don’t realize the energy is just because we teach people to develop a strong sense of self”. He adds that Ashé is much more than dance and entertainment and incorporates education in its work, thus creating “edutainment”. It is the English speaking Caribbean’s first full time performing arts company that uses the performing arts – dancing, singing and acting - to educate audiences on social issues.
Ironically, he had always wanted to get professional training in the music arts, but the opportunity always evaded him. According to DuCent, “There was clearly an attraction to music from a very early age”.
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Fiction Lounge :: The Marketplace on Constant Spring Road is renowned for its range of exquisite eateries. Now, it’s known for its latest addition, Fiction. Fiction features a lounge and bar, then transforms after hours into a nightclub for the fun and fabulous.
The concept of Fiction was developed by Steven Shirley and Kevin Bourke, two of six partners, the others being Gary and Tina Matalon, Zuar Jarrett, David Shirley, and Craig Powell. They had the dream of bringing the lounge/club vibe of Miami's South Beach and upper Manhattan, to Kingston, Jamaica.
Where music is concerned, nightly guest DJs treat patrons to a medley of reggae, alternative and house beats. Additionally, Fiction also boasts Jamaica’s very own “top chef” Sara Mair who has satisfied palettes in Miami, New York and across Europe.
Alric & Boyd :: While waiting in the lobby of a popular Kingston Hotel, I am aware that my 1:00 pm interview was running a bit off schedule. Suddenly I notice the two men… the turntable twins Alric & Boyd entering the lobby.
“Sorry for being late,” said Alric in an apologetic tone. I immediately acknowledge his sincerity and invite the pair to my make-shift office upstairs, located in what use to be a thriving restaurant. Here the turntable twins would give an in-depth look at their life at the ever popular Fame FM studios, and give insight into the ills plaguing radio and its effects on the music industry.
Linking up in 1992, Alric described their partnership by saying, “My style was simple just mixing and selecting. Boyd brought the flair with scratching, and together we expanded the musical range that was being played in the clubs and it took the road; that’s what gave us our little niche and it has been growing ever since.”
Jamaica Vibes :: Jamaican culture is built on a vibe, a vibe that is indigenous to its people and one that is built on the foundation of many different influences. So it comes as no surprise when those influences are the main inspiration behind many of today’s live entertainment showcases such as Jamaica Vibes which is held at Weekenz every Wednesday night.
Started in 2002 by DiFamli Entertainment, a company operated between a group of 3 high school friends Jesse Golding, Shane Morris and Trevor ‘Shaq’ Thomas, Jamaica Vibes was formed initially as a showcase for DiFamli’s rap artiste Shaq.
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Buju Banton
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Rasta Got Soul
True fans of Buju Banton will be thrilled with Rasta Got Soul. The 15 track album features a combination of heart strumming one drop, mixed with African inspired drums and a bit of Motown R&B. The reality is that this album is more than just a reggae album, it’s a world album.
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Sizzla - Ghetto Youth-ology :: With a significant amount of albums already to his credit, Sizzla Kalonji strikes back with yet another musical manuscript. Ghetto Youth-ology is 15 tracks of sizzling hot reggae music. On this album Sizzla’s unique ability to use a variety of voices and rhyming styles to convey his message is masterfully combined. This is evident on Ghetto Utes Dem A Suffer, Gwaan Bear and Future is Yours where Sizzla uses three different styles of singing.
Sophia Brown - The Spotlight :: It’s refreshing to see the direction reggae music has taken, where it has gradually shifted from the customary male figure-heads who oversaturate the market with a thousand albums. Sophia Brown’s The Spotlight offers an example as to this changing trend.
Jah Cure - The Universal Cure :: This album is cool. It reveals a side of Jah Cure that people are still getting accustomed to; a side that has grown since his release from prison. Although his tone and attitude on the album differ from his soulful wails a few years ago, The Universal Cure tells a story of a man who has overcome and is now benefiting from his new found freedom.
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