The StarDance Riddim

The StarDance Riddim
Produced by Ashwin ‘Smash’ Seegobin
Mixed and Mastered by Precision Productions.

Combining his Trinibagonian roots with a very English upbringing the newest member of the Precision Productions team has spun a wondrous musical web to seductively enfold listeners from the Caribbean to beyond the great pond.
Ashwin “Smash” Seegobin’s StarDance Riddim, is an energetic culmination of 18 months of careful training as a producer and engineer at Precision. With Soca and mainstream Dance music being the strongest influences on him, he created this riddim as a way to meld the feel of music from TnT to the throbbing energies he experienced in London. The result being an exhibition of exotic melodies only such an eclectic background could generate.
Emboldened by his previous release with Jrod Records, the Cosmic Riddim, Smash enlisted a range of talented voices to give flight to his tuneful ambitions.
These include the very Caribbean cast of Tian Winter, Dale Saunders, Cherise Ransome, Fireball, Ricardo Drue ft Crissanji, and Nikisha.
This thrilling blend of enchanting production work with this uniquely gifted collection of singers gives this riddim a sure place on international charts as well as in all discerning music-loving hearts.

©Mystie Thongs

I actually find the majority of songs kinda weak. Fireball’s voice makes his song stand out for me. I guess this StarDance Riddim needs for me to be popping Mollys to be So High I’ll be Levitating and walking/dancing amongst the Stars…

Production is nice tho… maybe some radio/driving along the coast choons… i’ll keep playing it and program myself to like it… I LOVED COSMIC!!!

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Play Whe International POWER SOCA Monarch 2013

My immediate thoughts as i watch the show on broadcast television… armchair revolutionary

Lil Bitts – Raise De Dust

what had to be the most eagerly awaited performance of the night following up on the infamous music video… ooo… had to cut from an interview with David Rudder to BITTS already onstage… still with the Egyptian Mummy theme… we then heard from her ‘spiritual advisor’ who apparently is her brother… who forgot the lines or just had stage fright.. some littler bitt then mash-up more that Bitts…. there was a reference to Rudder’s original Dust in they Face… one more chorus and it was over… she in first place so far!

 

Fya Empress – Pass Me  Ah Drink (Ah Yuh RUM)

Gracing the stage for the first time the Vincy Road March Winner was dressed as a pirate… memba Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed there… and well Jack Sparrow always wondered why the rum was gone… i can only hope the judges made the link… excellent performance as it didnt have all the direct instructions… the Empress seemed more seasoned than some of the other artistes who feel the need to direct their audience all the time… leaving it for the end of the performance… she hadda place top 5 at least…

 

Tallpree – Muddy JAB

Ole Woman Alone part 6… im just kidding… the choon bad no tail but i cant understand a word he is saying… DEM NO BAD LIKE WE… feel the energy that the song exudes about Grenada ‘s SPICE MAS… maybe i may still experience it this year… those oiled down JABs… RUM Head SICK Head… vibes upon vibes… couldnt live up to the EMPRESS tho… give him 3rd place oui…

 

Devon Matthews – Start De Party

another SHOUTER… and guess what he announces on radio so you would think he knows better than to do that… the speaking to the crowd after every verse/chorus is like 2 decades old… too bad you really didnt Start the Party then your Hook might have worked better… wheys… the TYAD talk too… LOLz the calling out the FLAG Crews… its like you came with the SOCAlled Artiste Manual…

 

Shurwayne Winchester – We Control De Road

speechless… it felt like Open The Gate take 2 … the crowd looked unmoved… the air was still… appearance fee

 

Benjai - A.T.A.O Engoma

LOW…. excellent intro… the vibe from this song has survived since St. Lucia Carnival in 2012… still didnt really sing his song… guess he was reeling from the effects of the GROOVY where he drank way too much onstage… freestyling coz Garlin wasnt there and the verse was actually half decent… but calling yourself the Groovy King in the POWER Category doesnt really work… apparently he was still toting from losing the Groovy years ago as well…

 

Destra Garcia – Doh Hold Meh Back

The Mad house video re-enacted on stage… with a Black body suit to go with the one from Groovy… i think the song was performed a little too fast coz she had a lil trouble keeping up with singing the verses and chorus… the dancers bridge bit was a nice difference and yes she is like the Britney Spears of the SOCA industry (overheard)… no not Beyonce…  i dont get why all these artistes fell the need to compare themselves to Super BLUE tho… climb the scaffolding for 10 points… pointless…

 

JW + Blaze – Inna Timing

another X-Files intro that chronicles their history… and that didnt go over too well… i have no real clue how this made the finals infront of a plethora of other songs but hey… they are former winners and also work on radio… is it easier to sell your show… they know they went onstage to collect their appearance fee… it was weird hearing Anya Ayoung-Chee and Rattans uttered in the same sentence… the verse about Bunji opting out of Groovy was very good…. lent itself to the topic of Inna Timing very well… WOW verse 2 was even better… still dont understand why everyone giving the title to Super Blue… third verse was even better… this song deserves to WIN… i tip my hat to JW and Blaze for this one… most excellent Timing fellas…

 

Machel Montano HD – FLOAT

video intro that the TV viewers couldnt see… something about Superman… sounds like one of the TOP/PNM ads from the Tobago elections… the outfit was a let down… then again MM is no stranger to wearing weird outfits… ANTZ… SHOUT FLOAT…  the HOVER was mess but the FLOAT rig was overshadowed by the Jet pact from 2012…. yes that IS PERFORMANCE… but for 10 points?!?

 

Swappi – CHA-OaS

a video intro poking fun at Flight but then i hear Bond music… wait whats this about… apparently its agent double oh 4D… the performance was actually worse than Bucket in 2012… ate up all his words and the silent bridges were useless… they actually were ah set ah CHUPIDNESS…. the bit with Kes the Magician was uncalled for and utterly wasteful…

 

Superblue – Fantastic Friday

meh pores raise with the Shorty Watch out my Children intro and then with the HORN intro for the song… the music was too loud.. could hardly hear what Blue was singing… crowd was exuberant as ever… there are no words… it wasnt the best performance ever but the people have spoken…

 

 

expecting MM, Super, JW, Fya Empress and Destra to make the top 5… i eh know the order…

 

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DESTRA Soaring To New Heights

new heights indeed… its a press release…

DESTRA SOARING TO NEW HEIGHTS
PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release
February 6, 2013.

DESTRA – Call My Name

After an exciting 2012 Team Destra is raising the bar again. In 2012, Destra took the time to make strides online building her global following by 40% through well planned online campaigns. Destra also took the time to give access and build with her fans through contests, and personal appearances. The pace will only get more intense in 2013 as the season jumps off. With fresh new tracks and videos Destra’s energized and focused.

Mobile App launch: The Destra app was launched January 2012, giving her fans a way to stay connected anywhere. Destra is very active in social media from Twitter to Facebook book and Instagram; Destra is one of the most active artist online. Destra will tell you, she loves to hear from her fans and makes a real effort to keep in touch. The Destra APP will make this even easier. You’ll find new music, new event listings, exclusive offers for app only users. With plans to evolve the App to offer more to fans, it’ll be something worth checking into this coming year. www.mydestra.com

New Music: Call my name, Carry on , Wassy , Rip D Runway…….. Destra has picked up the pace going harder and building her musical repertoire. Working with GBM, Precision Productions to name a few, many the prominent Soca hit makers have given Destra some certified hits for 2013 . With no plans of slowing down, Destra will be starting to record again come April 2013. She’s excited about being able to try something new as plans are being made to go in the studio with Grammy award winning producer Boi1da (Rick Ross, Eminem, Jay Z, Drake, Nicki Minaj) in the coming months. Not steering away from Soca but seeing whats possible by staying active and open minded.

Renewal of Digicel relationship: As a long standing sponsor Digicel renewed their contract with Destra for another year last summer. With new initiatives and global strategy Destra and her team are putting into play starting 2013, Destra is really looking forward to growing the relationships with her sponsors. Digicel being a long standing supporter of her brand Destra intends to carry them with her through out the world. She say’s “ No matter where we go in the world we have to come home, and building brand loyalty is borderless”. Her plans are to introduce new exciting initiatives and work with.

Destra can also be followed via the following links:

- Facebook.com/officialdestragarcia
- Twitter.com/destragarcia
- YouTube.com/destragarcia
- Soundcloud.com/destragarcia

For more information, contact Chase Parsons at: chase@parsonscreative.ca or Brian Morris at: Bambooentertainment@gmail.com

SOCA MONARCH 2013 Finalists

meh…

Twenty finalists have been named for this year’s International Power and Groovy Soca Monarch competitions on Fantastic Friday, February 8th at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port-of-Spain.

The names of the semifinalists and their songs, in no particular order, are as follows:

Digicel International Groovy Soca Monarch semifinalists

• Patrice Roberts – A Little Wine
• Neil Iwer D Boss George – Bubble
• Dexter Blaxx Stewart  – Nah Get Away
• Destra Garcia – Call My Name
• Nadia Batson – Manager
• Denise Belfon – Wining Queen
• Ravi Ravi B Bissambhar – Prescription
• Darryl Farmer Nappy Henry – Stranger
• Rodney Benjai Le Blanc – Feter
• Drupatee Persad – Indian Gyal

Play Whe International Power Soca Monarch finalists 2013

• Austin Super Blue Lyons – Fantastic Friday
• Destra Garcia – Carry On
• Rodney Benjai Le Blanc – Engoma
• Shurwayne Winchester – We Control D Road
• Tallpree – Muddy Jab
• Lornette Fya Empress Nedd-Reid  – Rum Please
• Marvin Swappi Davis – Cha-os
• Jason JW Williams & Ancil Blaze Isaac Jr – Timing It
• Devon Matthews – Start It Up
• Shivonne Lil Bitts Churche – Raise D Dust

Reigning holder of both Titles Machel Montano HD can easily FLOAT away and FOG up SOCA Monarch again…

 

and i still expect to see Bunji Garlin and Fay-All Lyons make appearances…

Phantom Ching Ching riddiMIX

ValMusik Production

Bunji Garlin – Stages/Changes
Nadia Batson – Manager
Shurwayne Winchester – Tobago Love

Ching Ching presented by D Project Records featuring Blaxx, Chucky and Hollywood Sachy

think #differentology

differentology

and as promised the Wonda Woman featuring Team Sass members Nadia Batson, Terri Lyons and Megan Walrond alongside Patrice Roberts.

Coca Cola Rhythm 2012

Coca Cola Rhythm 2012

COCA-COLA LAUNCHES THE 2012 COCA-COLA RHYTHM Coca-Cola has released the second official Coca-Cola Rhythm in time for Carnival 2012. The rhythm features an all star line up on a groovy soca beat developed by Kernal Roberts. Coca-Cola has always been a refreshing delight to people all across the globe since 1886. The 2012 Coca-Cola Rhythm builds on the optimistic refreshment platform which embodies Coke’s Open Happiness mantra. This new rhythm features an amazing group of artistes including: Benjai, Lil Bitts, Umi Marcano, Screws and Devon Matthews. Their talent brought to life the Rhythm objective – to share happiness, build excitement and really enjoy Carnival as Trinbangonians do with Soca Music. According to Franchise Brand Manager, Mr. Roberto Lapeira, “Coca-Cola is pleased to have to opportunity to share its second Carnival Rhythm with Trinidad and Tobago. We are always trying to find innovative ways to really connect with the public and with the success of the last rhythm, we knew we had to bring something even more amazing this year. Kernal Roberts took the challenge and brought a fantastic, new groovy soca sound that includes our trademark Coca-Cola five tones and makes you want to dance in the street this Carnival.” The Carnival 2012 Coca-Cola Rhythm Music will be available for download at www.coca-cola.com.tt

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COSMIC SHIFT

Cosmic Riddim - J-Rod Records

 

 

i am impatiently waiting for it to appear in my inbox so i could make my lil riddiMIX…

 

on that note i am pleased to see one of the minds behind the Cosmic Riddim get a lil write up in the papers… go Jarrod… no not the Subway dude… this is the man behind JRod Records…  yeah the 2nd Chances, Life Lessons and the BarCode Riddims… i glad he say it and that it in print… i eh no producer so my rants are usually limited to the 50 folk who subscribe to this blog… thanks to you all… here is what J-Rod had to say…

 

“If you look on the Internet right now, you will see soca listed under world music. That has to change. We need to see soca standing on its own.” Touching on the current rift in the local industry with some artistes complaining of unfair airplay, Faria says “there is no real proof” that a “soca mafia” exists. “It’s such a saturated market that it really just boils down to the work you put in and the relationships you build,” he reasoned. And in an industry where an artiste can be “in today and out tomorrow,” the QRC graduate believes that it’s also necessary for aspiring soca stars to take advantage of all avenues available in this technological era. “When you look at it, all the big acts have a Facebook and Twitter page. New artistes need to put in the ground-work and market themselves,” he advised. “It’s a very competitive industry and I don’t think anybody can deny that.”
Jarrod’s taking soca to the world One beat at a time
Published: Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Cherisse Moe

 

some say that it is Cosmic Shift… like you eh listen to Garlin intro… i do say islandPOOP at times… only coz i doh like the genre separation… music is music… strength and powers to you and all associated bredren…

 

 

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SOCA Monarch SemiFinalists 2012

With over 400 submissions, the Soca Monarch judging panel have declared that the names listed below are to move on the Semi final round of the International Soca Monarch competition.

The Semi finals will be held at the Arima Velodrome on Sunday January 29th 2012…. same day as PREStige

Play Whe Groovy Soca Monarch Semi-finalists:

• Anthony Hendrickson (All Rounder)
• Darryl Henry (Farmer Nappy)
• Destra Garcia
• Dexter Stweart (Blaxx)
• Dwayne Arthur (Skhi)
• Erphan Alves
• Gamal Doyle (Skinny Fabulous)
• Jardine Legere (Jadel)
• Jason Williams & Ancil Isaac (JW & Blaze)
• Kenneth Richards (K Rich)
• Kerwin Du Bois
• Khori Francis (Ziggy Rankin)
• Kimba Sorzano (Kimba)
• Kris Persad (KI)
• Laurence Gonzales (Mr. Renzo)
• Lima Calbio
• Machel Montano
• Nadia Batson
• Patrice Roberts
• Roderick Gordon (Chucky)
• Rodney Le Blanc (Benjai)
• Shivonne Churche (Lil Bitts)
• Shurwayne Winchester
• Shal Marshall
• Terri Lyons
• Terrin Callender (Super Jigga TC)
• Winston Henry (Explainer)

Digicel International Power Soca Monarch Semi-finalists:

• Adrian Hackshaw (Third Bass)
• Denise Belfon
• Destra Garcia
• Devon Samuel (Prophet Benjamin)
• Dexter Stewart (Blaxx)
• Erphan Alves
• Gary Cordner
• Jason Williams & Ancil Isaac (JW & Blaze)
• Joel Feveck (Zan)
• Kerwin Du Bois
• Laurence Jack (Coyaba / St. Vincent & the Grenadines)
• Marvin Davis (Swappi)
• Megan Waldron
• Michelle Xavier (Michelle X)
• Nadia Batson
• Neil ‘Iwer’ George
• Olatunji Yearwood
• Patrice Roberts
• Prestan Andries (Prestan)
• Problem Child & Talpree
• Shurwayne Winchester
• Shal Marshall
• Tony Prescott (Tony P)
• Victor St. Louis (Pelf)
• Wesley Hoyte (C’Donia)
• Winston Bailey (Shadow)

Destra, Blaxx, Erphaan, JW & Blaze, Kerwin Du Bois, Nadia Batson, Patrice Roberts, Shurwayne Winchester and Shal Marshall are all doing double duty as they will be competing in both categories… as i said on twitter this is the new Dimanche Gras… iz nine ah dem…

the way things shaping up @intlsocamonarch is the new Dimanche Gras... artistes singing 2 choon fuh d night... POWER and Groovy #Trinidad

—
SanMan Bandi (@SanMan_ish) January 14, 2012

MM aka Mr. Fete got away from double duty as he is the reining POWER Monarch…

about 10 music videos have been produced by this top crop… so far :/

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Take a tour of Carnival through song with Ricardo Drue

RICARDO DRUE

Ricardo Drue promises to make 2012 a memorable year for all his fans, and a stellar year in his career with his songs J.A.M (Jump and Mashup), Throw Me Out featuring Edwin Yearwood, and Shawty featuring Bunji Garlin.

For 2012 Ricardo is stepping out and strutting his talent by entering in this years Power Monarch with his song J.A.M and in the Groovy Monarch with his song Throw Me Out.

This sweet, dimpled, humble, 26-year-old son of the Caribbean has dabbled in music since a juvenile. His mission is to take Soca music to another level. Ricardo delivers his mission with fusing reggae, soca, hip-hop creating euphonic sounds and lyrics for all to relate and enjoy. Ricardo’s collections include Rub Up On It featuring Claudette Peters, Nah Leaving featuring Patrice Roberts, No Boring Gyal (Body Move Riddim), Addicting (Tin Pan Riddim), Like Glue (Panty Droppa Riddim) and many many more.

For 2012 Ricardo is stepping out and strutting his talent by entering in this years Power Monarch with his song J.A.M and in the Groovy Monarch with his song Throw Me Out.

J.A.M written by Kerwin Du Bois and produced by Shawn “Mr. Roots” Mitchell. J.A.M is the true essence of Carnival, J.A.M is a masqueraders anthem “I come out to jump and mash up…..he can’t stop me and she can’t stop me ah jaaaamiinnnnn”. If you ever played mas especially in Trinidad you know it’s a time to wine, jump up and carry on to show people you and your band is the baddest on the road. J.A.M promises to be your Duracell for carnival, it’s destined to mash up Soca Monarch and the road.

Think back to the last fete you went. Sweet music playing, yuh head nice, and yuh wining, the music so sweet yuh eyes close and yuh enjoying yourself. By the time, you open your eyes the lights are on, and the Dj’s asking everyone to leave the fete because the party is over, but you refuse to leave until you’re finally thrown out, if you ever experienced this then you can relate to Throw Me Out. Throw Me Out was written by Ricardo Drue and produced by Shawn “Mr. Roots” Mitchell. Ricardo shows us his versatility with his crafty lyrics. Oh, let’s not forget how sweet and heavenly he and Edwin Yearwood sound together. Everyone who’s ever been in a sweet fete, or experienced a sweet wine can relate to this song and enjoy it to the fullest. Throw me out is sure to make its mark in the Groovy Monarch Competition.

Shawdy featuring Bunji Garlin is a tune for the young at heart. This tune has a ragga soca vibe sweet enough to entice your waist and set the mood for after the club. Shawdy is a very tantalizing song, encompassing the essence of the Caribbean with chutney, reggae, and soca fused together. Lyricist Bunji Garlin gives this track the edge it deserves. The music video shot in Antigua and Trinidad gives a sweet island vibe to soothe your inner urge.

Hope you enjoyed our small tour. Remember for this carnival whether you’re on the road ready to J.A.M, or in a fete waiting for security to Throw you out, or if you’re out limin with your Shawdy remember to give thanks to Ricardo Drue. Ricardo Drue a true cynosure in the soca industry and making his stamp for 2012. Don’t forget to wish Drue luck in the Groovy Monarch and Power Monarch.

Written By Chandy
1/14/2012

 

 

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