Quickies: Protoje releases free sampler

Ever since dub-rock reggae sensation Protoje dropped his debut single Arguments last year, it was evident that he is no ordinary artiste. The talented lyricist from St Elizabeth is always thinking outside the box and this is clear on his popular singles JA, Dread, Roll and Rasta Love. He is currently preparing for the January release of his highly anticipated debut album, The Seven Year Itch (produced by Don Corleon), and fans are understandably excited as they look forward to what is expected to be a landmark record.

However, before the album is released, Protoje is giving his fans a special treat by releasing a free Seven Year Itch sample courtesy of selector Rory Yaadcore. The Seven Year Itch sample features five tracks from the upcoming album and gives listeners unrestricted access to Protoje's creative process, as well as a deeper look into how his work has developed. Part art exhibit, part exposé, part dub session, the sample is primarily being distributed by Protoje wherever he goes, and through Manifesto Jamaica. It also available at Base Kingston, Shimmer, Bookophilia, Spokes and online for free

New year, new base, new rhythms, more Flava

Flava Squad Entertainment's CEO, Ewan McRae, is determined to take his company to the next level. McRae, who is from St Elizabeth, is putting a plan in place to ensure that the production company will become a force to be reckoned with in the future.

McRae explained that after more than a year in operation, Flava Squad is ready to move into the big leagues. The first order of business for the new year is a new location for the entity. Flava Squad Entertainment will be relocating from its current address at 50 Dumbarton Ave, St Andrew, to 30 Burlington Ave on January 1, 2011.

The company recently released a new project called the Fern Gully Rhythm, which features songs from Nitty Kutchie, New Kids, Singer J, Ataru, Azhid, Mission, KI and Paridice. The songs are available on iTunes and other leading Internet download sites. This project will be followed by two others, the Wave Rhythm and the Mackavelli Rhythm, which are both scheduled to be released on the January 3, 2011.

McRae said that while most established producers shy away from recording new artistes, he has pledged to work with up and coming artistes. He also plans to improve on the quality of servicve that Flava Squad offers to their clients.

Shereita invites 'Come Find Me'

Multitalented reggae singer and songwriter Shereita has released her latest single, Come Find Me. The soft-core love ballad, written by Sherieta, looks at the ever elusive love relationship which many seek to find.

The song starts with a catchy, fast-paced rhythm on which the singer shows off her deejay skills. As the song progresses, Sherieta's knack for writing poignant lyrics is evident; the lyrics are actually poetry in song. Not only do the lines rhyme, but they also tell an interesting story of a search for love which has, so far, been hard to find.

This latest single is produced by accomplished producer Donovan Germaine on the Penthouse label. While Come Find Me is Sherieta's fourth released single, it is the second that is produced by Germaine. The first, Reggae is Life, has enjoyed impressive airplay both in Jamaica and overseas, particularly in the UK and Africa.

Sherieta said that the release of Come Find Me is part of her plan to continuously release singles which speak to the many personal situations that individuals face. "My intention has always been to write and sing songs that have meaning, songs which tug on the heartstrings of my fans, and Come Find Me will do just that," Shereita said.

The singer has been busy in the studio lately, collaborating with gospel artiste Sherwin Gardener to release Be My Full Stop, another love song. this one speaks to the love, commitment and trust necessary to build a relationship, hence the request for one to be the other's 'full stop'.

A positive individual with a strong belief that good music can change the world, Sherieta's desire is to continue to accumulate a catalogue of excellently written and produced music inspired by the experiences of those around her.

Paltrow gives 'Coldplay' cold shoulder

Gwyneth Paltrow could never work with husband Chris Martin. The actress had to show off her singing skills in new movie Country Strong,
and while she has won rave reviews for her vocal ability, Gwyneth said
she couldn't team up with her Coldplay rocker spouse because they like
to keep their careers separate.

When asked if she would consider doing a Coldplay cover, Gwyneth said: "Me? God no. No. We just can't, like, merge. His career is there and mine is there."

Gwyneth also revealed Chris is a talented actor and although he has appeared in Ricky Gervais' TV comedy Extras,
he won't be trying to break into movies. She said: "He definitely has
great acting skills. I don't think he would ever do it, but he's a
genius. Did you ever see him in Extras?" While she has no plans
to work with her musician husband, Gwyneth hasn't ruled out a music
career completely and would like to do a country record. The mother of
two said: "I think if I was going to make a country record, it would be,
like, a super-bare, kind of stripped-back kind of country. Like a
little bit of bluegrass-influenced kind of thing."

Cowell's 'X Factor' gets US$55m fizz

Simon Cowell's US X Factor has signed a US$55 million sponsorship deal with Pepsi.

The
51 year-old star and his
fellow judges will be seen drinking the beverage during the show and
backstage in behind-the-scenes footage. The music mogul is said to be
delighted to have landed such a huge promotional deal. A source said:
"The deal is ostensibly between broadcaster Fox and Freemantle, who make
the show, not between Simon and his company Syco. But it's a massive
coup for him, and shows how the big brands are all desperate to be
associated with a man deemed to have the Midas touch."

The
sponsorship deal is a huge boost for Cowell as he prepares to launch
the Stateside show next year, with main rival, Simon's former show
'American Idol', enjoying a similar yet smaller deal with Coca-Cola,
worth US$35 million. The source added to the Daily Mirror newspaper:
"The icing on the cake is that American Idol, which Simon used to be a
judge on, is sponsored by Pepsi's biggest rival. Simon is absolutely
thrilled."

Kidman wishes to
be with kids

Nicole
Kidman wishes her adopted children lived with her. The actress raised
18-year-old Isabella and Connor, 15, with ex-husband Tom Cruise and is
saddened by their decision to live with their father, his wife Katie
Holmes and their four-year-old daughter Suri, but wouldn't fight their
choice. She said: "They live with Tom, which was their choice. I'd love
them to live with us, but what can you do?"

Though
she is upset about her elder children not living with her, she is
delighted to have become a parent again later in life, having had
daughter Sunday Rose with husband Keith Urban in July 2008. She
admitted: "It's a beautiful thing at 43 to have a two and a half year
old!" Explaining the youngster's unusual name, Nicole revealed she was
named after the day of the week that her and Keith most enjoy together.

Firat date Brand-ed with diamonds

Russell
Brand gave Katy Perry diamonds on their first date. The British
funnyman - who married the singer in October after a year-long romance -
was instantly smitten with the brunette beauty and nicknamed her his
"mermaid", because of the way she made him feel.

When
quizzed about her long necklace, Perry said: "Russell gave this to me
on our first date. It's a Hindu hand of peace. But they're not beads,
they are black diamonds. He gave me black diamonds on our very first
date." Russell gave her the jewels as he drove her home from dinner and
she asked if she could have a copy of his autobiography, which was in
the car. She added: "I asked him if I could have it. My hair was long
and wavy at the time and he kept calling me a mermaid. He opened the
book and wrote in it, 'You're a mermaid and I'm drowning.' Then he put
this necklace on me."

Katy
says Russell is now her "muse" and her relationship with the
35-year-old actor has inspired a lot of her new material. The hitmaker -
who released her third studio LP, Teenage Dream, in August 2010 -
said: "It's funny, because a lot of tracks were written before, but
it's as if I knew he was going to be in my life. He is definitely my
muse - or rather, his love is. On top of that, he's very handsome and
very, very funny. What can I say? He's brilliant. Every day he amazes
me. He makes me laugh like no one else. We are each other's perfect
match."