Quickies: Captain, Delano head east

Ace disc jock Collin Hines is eagerly anticipating his maiden voyage to the Middle East, where he is scheduled to play at an exclusive '80s party in Abu Dhabi, part of the United Arab Emirates(UAE). Dubbed Nostalgia, the event is being marketed as 'Abu Dhabi's first Exclusive '80s Dance Party. Relive the era when everything was bigger, louder and brighter'.

The party will be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre on December 8, and will also feature the skills of another renowned Jamaican disc jockey, Delano of Renaissance Disco.

The conceptualiser of the event is Jamaican Mandi Bent, who has been working in Abu Dhabi for the past six years as event director at the Dome Exhibition Centre. She explained that there is a community of Caribbean and UK expatriates thirsty for this kind of entertainment. Therefore, the decision was made to fill their cup.

"We have had concerts with international artistes like Janet Jackson, Britney Spears, Jimmy Cliff and Sean Paul, but this is the first time we are having a party of this kind in the UAE," she stated, adding that Abu Dhabi is not the same place as Dubai, although they are physically close.

Bent sees this as a milestone in shaping and diversifying the entertainment offering in the Emirates, adding that the response has been encouraging. She noted that, in planning the event, she went after 'A'-list disc jockeys who have a keen sense of "situation appropriate" and the knowledge base to respond musically to any given situation. As for Hines, he has declared that the turn of events that has led to this posting is nothing short of "serendipitous".

"We intend to entertain the crowd, enjoy ourselves in the process, and just 'shell dung di place'. Mission accomplished ... . Abu Dhabi will come calling again," Hines said.

I-Octane's debut album out January

VP Records and Scikron have announced the impending release of I-Octane's debut album, Crying To The Nation, available January 31, 2012. He has already proven himself as a lyricist with rapid-fire delivery and unveils his uncanny ability to sing romantic ballads and socially aware tunes on this traditional reggae album.

Following in the vein of his predecessors Sizzla, Capleton and Buju Banton, his lyrics express sentiments of faith, romance, social justice and compassion for ghetto youth.

This year, Billboard Magazine enlisted I-Octane as one of their 15 Artistes Impacting The Indie Scene. In a rave review for his latest mixtape Focus (produced by Livity Movements), the New York Times adds that his performance at Jamaica's largest annual music festival, Reggae Sumfest, was "focused and intense" and stood out for "bonfires getting stoked throughout the crowd. In the language of Sumfest, that's an endorsement, a big one for this young singer".

Over the past year, I-Octane kicked off an extensive tour spanning 40 cities in North America as well as Japan. He is also set to release a digital EP Straight From The Heart, in early December.

Tad's introduces Phantoms

Tad's Records is introducing a series dedicated to showcasing a variety of Jamaica's outstanding young hitmakers. The Phantom Series makes its debut on December 9 with The Phantom Series Vol I - Various Artistes, featuring music from dancehall front-runners Khago, I-Octane, Jah Vinci, and Zamunda.

The album features 23 singles including My Life, Burn Dem Bridge, and Dem Anuh Don from I-Octane. Khago hits The Phantom with Me Blood A Boil and his breakthrough hit single, Nah Sell Out.

Jah Vinci shows his dexterity with the soulful In My Life and the lyrically sharp Wah See Me Fall. Roots reggae chanter Zamunda also shows off the more soulful side of reggae with Jah Love Surround Me.

"The Phantom is something brand new, strictly for the island's new generation of entertainers who are taking the industry by storm right now," said Tad's Record owner Tad Dawkins. "Volume I is just the beginning, music fans can look forward to a new Phantom edition roughly every four months."

Tru-Juice to host Bog Walk leg of motoring rally

For the 11th year, Tru-Juice Premium Quality Juices will be hosting the Bog Walk leg of the Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club (JMMC) Rally tomorrow and Sunday. This year, the event is expected to be bigger and better as racers converge on the picturesque track to take on a new and more challenging course on both days. Not to be forgotten is the water splash, with all the thrills and spills of the previous years.

The new and longer route stages have been test-driven and are sure to enhance the competitiveness of the event and provide safer and better viewing for spectators. Rally chairman, Errol Anderson, said "We have provided longer, better prepared stages that will test the crews and equipment as never before. This will provide spectators with a higher level of excitement than ever. Enjoy and be safe."

Kim Lee, head of marketing at Trade Winds Citrus Ltd, said that it will be a fun-filled day for all. "Come and join the Tru-Juice Family at our Rally Lyme tomorrow, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at an all-new exciting viewing area. VIP tickets are only $1,000 on the day of the race," she said.

The day's festivities will be hosted by Pretty Boy Floyd, with music by Black Silk and ZJ Elektra. Entertainment between the races will include games and giveaways, with Chino and the Big Ship Family passing through.

"The new course allows visitors to have a 360 degree view of the race. There is also a chill-out area for the general public near the river, for persons who want to relax between the stages. Lifeguards will be provided and the water is safe for swimming," Lee said.

Magnum signs Energee DJs

Magnum Tonic Wine has signed eight disc jocks to further augment their presence in the dancehall. This is part of a four-pronged promotion this Yuletide season. The promotion will not only see a fresh set of disc jocks, but also an exciting new 'riddim', and give consumers access to Magnum Tonic Wine drink specials.

The high-energy campaign is dubbed 'Magnum Crank It Up' and features Magnum Energee DJs, the Magnum: High Energy Crank it Up Christmas concert/party, Magnum Bar Parties, and the pulsating Crank It Up Riddim. The Magnum energy campaign will engage the juggling of Supa Hype, DJ British, DJ Ash, DJ Naz, Mr Mawning, DJ Jagga, Crazy Chris and Scientist - the newly formed Energee Jocks.

According to Magnum Brand Manager Rojah Thomas, the series continues Magnum's more-than- 10-year partnership with Jamaica's dancehall. The series was launched on Friday, November 18, with DJ Supa Hype at Escape 24 in New Kingston. The series will showcase the talents of the Energee Jocks at over 200 bar parties and various events over the Christmas holidays.

The Magnum Crank It Up Christmas Party kicks off on Friday, December 2 when the National Stadium's Car Park will be transformed into a dance floor to host a concert and party. The Magnum Crank It Up Bar Parties will go to bars across the country as, according to Thomas, the tonic wine has mass support among bar patrons, not just in the Corporate Area, but also in rural Jamaica. The parties will feature the Magnum Energee DJ's and an impressive selection of young up-and-coming DJs specially handpicked by Magnum.

Driving the excitement as well will be the Magnum Music Machine and the Crank It Up Riddim, produced by the exciting Stephen 'Supa Hype' Davis. Magnum is offering drink specials at all the parties.

Kardashian expecting second child

Kourtney Kardashian is pregnant with her second child. The 32 year-old star, who already has 23-month-old son Mason with her boyfriend Scott Disick, is "thrilled" to be expanding her family and providing a sibling to her first child. She said in a statement to E! Online: "Scott and I are so excited to announce that we are expecting our second child and are thrilled to be expanding the love in our family."

Kourtney recently began a new web series entitled Kourtney's Mommy Blog, where she unveils what she has learned as a mother. She has previously claimed she is never happier than when she is spending time with her son, and struggles to do things without him.

She said: "Unless I'm working, I can't be away from him without feeling guilty. It doesn't feel good or natural to be, so it's a struggle. I don't want to judge, but I've also met women who think it's cool to be out or away from their baby and I don't get that. Every time I'm not working, he's with me. Even on an airplane, he is with me even if the nanny is also on the plane. Any time I can have with him, I am lucky to have."