50 Songs of Gold competition gets under way

Marcia Rowe, Gleaner Writer

Brunch and Rhythm keeps going on the waterfront

Since February 2012, on the last Sunday of each month, gourmets have been lured to the Kingston waterfront to partake in their favourite foods. As they eat, different genres of music, winged banners of sponsors, and splashing waves provide the perfect ambience.

Organisers of the event, From Thought to Finish/Jah Mento Productions, have labelled the experience Brunch and Rhythm.

On the last Sunday in July, the experience was repeated, but there was a twist to the 'rhythm' element of the event: guests learned about Project Fifty: 50 Songs of Gold.

"Most of you in the music industry or those related to the entertainment sector might have seen forms going around asking people to nominate what they think are the 100 best songs since Jamaica achieved Independence. We have been sending out these nomination sheets to persons who are knowledgeable about Jamaican music with the hope that there will be a final list of 100 songs from which the 50 greatest songs in Jamaica since 1962 will be chosen," explained Clive McKenzie, one of the organisers of the project.

Jamaicans vote

The top 100 will be taken to all Jamaicans to vote on the top 50.

"Jamaicans are very passionate about their songs. We appreciate and understand that the song is very important, and Jamaicans want to choose their own songs.

This is the chance for them to choose and rank what they think will be the top 50 songs," McKenzie further explained to the gathering at Brunch and Rhythm.

50 Songs of Gold is endorsed and supported by the Jamaica 50 Secretariat. The contest will run over three months. Voting will commence on August 13 and end in November.

The contest, which will have persons voting via text messaging, includes everybody.

It is being coordinated by a team which includes McKenzie and Dr Dennis Howard.

McKenzie also pointed out that the formal launch of 50 Songs of Gold is to come.

"But we figured that, given all the questions that have been asked, and the clarifications that have been sought, we need to give some form of clarity as to what was happening."

More specific details are still to be announced.

Shortly after making his presentation, McKenzie told The Gleaner how the concept for a Project Fifty: 50 Songs of Gold came about.

"There has been discussion since the start of the year that we should have something that would commemorate the Independence of Jamaica in songs."

Howard had successfully done a top 40, 10 years ago, so the decision was made to use that idea.

Earlier, the music, decor and menu had already opened the palettes of patrons to the taste of anything Jamaican, down to the Jamaican candy, made by Fay Thomas from St Catherine.

Jacqui Tyson, organiser of Brunch and Rhythm, said the event was born out of an idea to expose the waterfront's beauty and charm so people could change their outlook on downtown.