Alric and Boyd help construct Music Factory

Mel Cooke, Gleaner Writer

Alric and Boyd have been pushing electronic music in Jamaica for a long time - nearly two decades, Boyd of the turntable whiz duo told The Gleaner. That included parties at the former Asylum Nightclub in New Kingston, Harry's Bar, which was on Constant Spring Road, and Mingles at the Courtleigh Hotel.

Next week, they will be involved in building the electronic music scene in the wider Caribbean, playing at The Music Factory Pop, Dance and House Festival in Barbados. The event is slated for Tuesday in Bridgetown.

Boyd points out that the festival is sanctioned by the Ministry of Sound, "one of the biggest nightclub franchises in the world. They are doing a world tour and this is one of the stops". Previously, he said, "there was nothing to tie the Caribbean into this kind of scene".

They have been outside Jamaica on electronic music events before, playing in Mexico and Argentina, courtesy of Smirnoff. For this Barbados trip, Alric said, they will be carrying three special tracks that they are producing. Those songs aside, Alric said, "we have been keeping up with the mixes".

In their standard format, Alric plays first and then Boyd spins the other tracks. However, that may change, depending on the situation. "You have to be dynamic in assessing the situation, based on who has played before, what they have played and how you will fit into the scenario," Alric said.

While the two have carried the electronic music flag in Jamaica for some time, often solo, Boyd points out that there are now many deejays in the country who are into electronic music. There are a lot of tracks to play, as Boyd said, "It is the biggest scene in the world. It has exploded in a way that it has taken over the pop scene and the rock scene as well."

Alric and Boyd spread their electronic wings via radio. "We have a dance music show that is aired in Greece every Saturday. We resident for the host of the show, who is actually the creator of Acid House Music," Alric said.

Sticking to their musical guns and now getting to be part of the first really big electronic music event in the Caribbean is rewarding. "We are still doing what we are doing. We never, ever stopped. And now we are one of the headliners for the first festival, in Barbados and the Caribbean," Boyd said.