Tarrus Riley displays 'Love Scars'

A failed relationship can cause severe heartbreak. That is the focus of Tarrus Riley's brand new single Love Scars, produced by Roshaun 'Bay C' Clarke of Bombrush Records.

This is the third time that Riley has teamed up with Clarke. A few months ago, one of their collaborations yielded the thought-provoking Shaka Zulu Pickney.

Riley, who is known for his healing-message music, said it was necessary for him to convey his thoughts on Love Scars. In a release to the media, he said "I felt it was important to tackle a subject of this nature. It is real because there are a lot of people walking around with different love scars. Sometimes relationships end on a bad note and it leaves emotional scars, so this song is real and relevant". Riley had previously tackled a similar subject matter on the single Start Anew, which was well received by the public three years ago.

"I am a man telling a woman not to cry because it hurts inside to see the tears fall. At the same time I am apologising for any man who has done her wrong, but I can fix it if given the chance," Riley explained the story behind Love Scars.

Working with Clarke, Riley said, "is very natural because we have a natural vibe. Him say Blak Soil and me say Bombrush".

Featured on the Red Planet rhythm project, Love Scars has elicited positive reviews from radio jocks since it was released to radio last week. A video for Love Scars is expected to go into production in a matter of weeks.

Inclusive Saturdays moves to The Quad

Once again, as part of their efforts to constantly keep patrons intrigued by the phenomenon that has been Inclusive Saturdays, CDC, the promoters of the event, have moved the event to the newly renovated Quad Nightclub.

According to the promoters, the move was prompted by two main reasons, the need to find a new home after rumours of the unclear future of the Building Nightclub (its previous venue) and the timing of the launch of their summer series.

The atmosphere and infrastructure of the Quad Nightclub is more conducive to the myriad of themes that Inclusive Saturdays will be featuring over the summer. Themes such as 'College Reunion', 'Cancun Edition', 'Vibes Island', and 'Negril Bon Voyage' will immerse patrons in a true theme party experience. To give patrons a full overview of their plans, the CDC team will be distributing a promotional magazine, the Inclusive 'FLIP', which will give patrons some background to the event, insights into the fashion and music that make up Inclusive and an overview of the various themes.

High scorers perform

Students from all over the island who obtained the highest scores in the recently completed Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) practical exams will perform at the High Scorers' Concert at St Andrew High School's Assembly Hall, 10 Cecelio Ave, Kgn 10, tomorrow. The concert commences at 5 p.m.

Both the Kingston College and Immaculate Conception High School Choirs will perform pieces in the Choral Singing category, while voice students will perform a range of traditional, classical and Jazz songs along with instrumentalists on the violin, piano, guitar, cello, flute, clarinet, saxophone and percussion.

It will be a wonderful evening for parents, teachers and friends to celebrate the world-class standards achieved by these young musicians as they progress through the various grades with some obtaining credits for entry into tertiary institutions locally and abroad.

The ABRSM has been conducting exams in Jamaica for over 100 years and supports music teaching and learning in over 90 countries throughout the world. Graded exams are available for more than 35 instruments, singing, ensembles, practical musicianship and music theory.

Treasure Beach hosts Bread Basket Festival

One of biggest multi-cultural events ever to hit Jamaica's South Coast takes place this weekend with the first staging of the three-day Bread Basket Festival at various locations in Treasure Beach from today to Sunday.

The festival, which is being sponsored by the Tourism Enhancement Fund in association with the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDco) and the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), is a co-operative effort by several Treasure Beach tourist-related businesses to focus attention on their township, where the community spirit is alive and well.

Friday's opening event will be Culture Night at the Taino Cove Guest House where performers will include international story teller Amina Blackwood-Meeks, Cen'c Love, the Shane Drummers and traditional performers from Westmoreland, St. Thomas and Maroon Town. This will be followed by a fete with Senor Daley of Klassique Disco at the turntables. Starting time is 6.00 p.m. and there is no cover charge.

The celebrated 'Bumpy Head Gal' Joan Andrea-Hutchinson headlines an impressive array of poets and storytellers who will be appearing at the Talking Trees Literary Fiesta at Tourism Service Award finalist Two Seasons Guest House on Saturday, starting at 9 a.m. She replaces Nigerian writer Igoni Barrett, who has had to pull out at the last minute because of a delay in obtaining a UK transit visa.

The line-up includes Malachi Smith, Garfield Ellis, Keiran King, Nova Gordon-Bell, Tomlin Ellis, Robert Lalah, Pamela Marshall, Judith Falloon-Reid, Veronica Blake-Carnegie and Sonia King. There will also be a special children's programme, an open mic segment and recorded talk - a mix of the spoken word and music. Admission is free.

Saturday night's first offering, 'An Evening of Song' at Frenchman's Restaurant and Bar, starts at 7 and will be a classical recital featuring soprano Sharon Martini and accompanist Denny Davis. There is no cover charge but donations will be accepted for the Fund for Abused Women.

At 9 p.m. Jack Sprat Restaurant will host 'A Night of Great Entertainment', a big, free show featuring Tanya Stephens, Protoje and Rootz Underground Band with Code Red Disco.

Sunday's events open at 9 a.m. with the Bread Basket Brunch, an offering of delectable St.Bess cuisine at Sunset Resort and Villas. Entertainment will be provided by Jah Squad Band.

Bringing down the curtain is an Art and Fashion Show at Calabash House, starting at noon. Jackie Cohen of Mutamba will be presenting her new line, 'Fashions by Masii', and there will also be designs by Elizabeth Eyre Seltzer. Artwork by Jamaican artists will also be on display. This event is also free

Jah Snowcone, Dubtonic Kru team up

Platinum-selling producer Rohan 'Jah Snowcone' Fuller has joined forces with Global Battle of the Bands winner Dubtonic Kru for his latest musical stew, the 'Susumba' rhythm.

The savoury one-drop rhythm features the Dubtonic Kru, roots reggae warriors Nazine, Nesbeth, Nature, and Faya Star, versatile Gully Squad deejay Savage and reggae sirens Sophia Squire and Chantelle Ernandez.

The 'Susumba' rhythm is reminiscent of the bass and guitar driven riffs that elevated bands like the Wailers and Culture from local musicians to international icons in the 1970s. Dubtonic Kru brings back an organic sound that is rare and sorely missed, what with the computerised 'island hop' sounds that have invaded reggae/dancehall over the past few years.

"I want to bring the reggae and dancehall back into Jamaican music. Over the past few years, the sound has become watered down and drowned out," says Jah Snowcone, best known for producing Sean Paul's Billboard topping hit Temperature. "The Susumba rhythm has that real reggae sound, that sound that reminds us of what reggae music is all about."

"Un..." more time!

Veteran comedian Blakka Ellis unequivocally stamped his mark with a riveting return to the stage for four shows last weekend in the first of a new series called "Un..." at the Centre Stage Theatre in New Kingston. And in response to public demands, the show will go on for two more nights

Blakka was in his element in the two-hour show, which saw him playing a variety of characters and provocatively probing a range of issues. Ellis was particularly hilarious (and courageous) in his many comments about gender issues, Jamaican masculinity and sexuality. And if their remarks on some social media networks are anything to go by, women seem to love what Blakka is saying.

Some comments on Facebook said "he'll make you laugh and he'll make you think and reflect" posted broadcaster and actress Fae Ellington. "I laughed for a full two hours," said attorney and former Member of Parliament Aloun Ndombet-Assamba. One day after seeing the show, actress and teacher Gracia Thompson posted "I'm still buzzing from the laughter and the food for thought" and PR and communications guru Jean Lowrie-Chin said "it will go places - un-questionably brilliant! Un-believably entertaining".

Blakka provided laughter-infused social and political commentary as he poked fun at well-known public figures from parliamentarians to people like TVJ's Simon Crosskill.

The producers have decided to extend the run for two more nights, Saturday, May 28, at 8:30 p.m. and Sunday May 29 at 6 p.m.

3 Star Shoots Video for Mr Top Shoota

3 Star shot the video for his latest release, Mr Top Shoota, recently in New York. The single is the second release off the album Nothing But Real Talk.

The video, which is the second part of a storyline started with the video for No Bad Man, was shot on various locations in the Bronx and Harlem. It is the story of a man who had the option, early in is life, of choosing between music or the life of the gun. He chose the gun and becomes a 'top shoota', creating a lot of mayhem and trauma in other people's lives along the way. He keeps killing people, but in the end he wishes to change to do music. It is too late and he ends up in confinement.

3 Star makes music sharing his experiences in life and he channels his memories of warfare into positive energy. As a US soldier, he has experienced war first-hand in Iraq and Afghanistan and promotes positive music and anti-violence messages, especially to the youth of his native Jamaica.

The video, directed by Paulie Pop It Off, will be released internationally soon.