JAMAICA 2005

Greetings.

Bwoy it always nice to go back a yard, but this year I returned for a short two week visit to Jamaica and

nothing but pure rain storm. This is how the trip go:

First of was a long 6 hour coach trip from Plymouth to Gatwick airport. I had been trying to set up a trip to Jamaica for a while and due to circumstances, could only get a charter flight for the days I could fit the trip in. The flight was going to be made with Thomsons. Unfortunately although my intention was to travel to Old Harbour Bay (near Spanish Town), utilising Kingston Norman Manley airport, I was forced to fly into Montego Bay, again due to availability of flights. I was looking forward to the excursion and return home, but i wasnt too impressed from the beginning.

Having arrived at the airport, I soon became painfully aware that it is foolhardy not to make sure of your full and proper baggage allowance (having always previously flown with British airways or Air Jamaica, with no problem) I found out that baggage handlers could only take up to 32kgs, and that my personal baggage allowance was only 20kgs. That mistake cost me £80 before I had stepped on a plane. The plane was a charter plane and would have been ideal for a trip from UK to, say, Spain or Italy. Unfortunately this was around a 10 hour trip and comfort was the last thing on the couriers mind. I was horrified to find, that on distribution of the meals (meals and drinks were also extra to flight cost), the thoughtful airline had issued meals that, well in this case was, a chicken dinner interlaced with, yes youve guessed it PORK!!! How do they come up with these thoughtless, incensitive ideas??

It was from Montego Bay that I had arranged to be picked up by car and driven across the island to Old Harbour bay, where by brother and sessions in his recording studio "ORIGINAL AMAZON NUZIKS" awaited me. No such luck. I arrived in the middle of a torrential rain storm and was informed on arrival by the airport porters and taxi drivers, that the island was uncrossable, and that if there was any way of my people reaching me, that they would have to go via Mandeville. My phone was out of juice so I couldnt even call my people to find out if they were on their way.

After a couple of hours deliberating and waiting I managed to get my phone charged by staff at the bar outside arrivals at the airport in Montego Bay (at no cost). I called my people and discovered that they were, in fact unable to reach me and suggested that I find a hotel for the night and look into catching a flight into Kingston, Tissen pen airport.

I managed to find a hotel (basic accommodation but with aircon, tv and shower and only £25), and the next morning arranged a flight across the island.

It was a short flight (20 minutes) across the island and was overjoyed to be greeted by my eldest brother/studio proprietor/engineer/producer, Sean and some of the crew, including studio driver Puddy. It was still raining hard and it took 7 hours to drive along Marcus Garvey and then to travel the toll highway and reach Old Harbour. In places Marcus Garvey was down to one lane and to drive along that was to feel the water splashing underneath the body of the car. 7 hours, that was only three hours shorter than the flight from UK to Jamaica.

On reaching Old Harbour, the very first thing we did was to stop off at a restaurant and get some yardy food down. It was nice to be back. It was dark, wet and windy but what? it was warm and nice to be back!

We arrived at the studio, a magnificent, white, 3 storey building and was greeted by a meal, whatever else was wanted and by some more of the studio crew and artists. Over the next two weeks I enjoyed the company of established and up and coming artists such as: EDDIE FITZROY, SUGAR ANTS, DOCTOR BIRD, YABBA YU, SATELLITE, BOGWALK, EDGERTON and others (yes, appologies but, I am terrible with names).

After a couple of days, vibesing and relaxing, it was down to business. Tracks and videos from AMAZON NUZIKS new album, a one track, multi artist album, utilising the brand new "MISS CASSY" riddim were already receiving great reviews and lots of airplay across the island, on the local cable channel. The album, due for full release shortly, also boasts tracks from LUCIANO and MIKEY GENERAL amongst others (the Yabba Yu and Doctor Bird tracks already being aired and receiving rave reviews) needed more video shooting featuring more of the artists. We took some great shots down at Old Harbour Bay itself and was blessed by the holding off of the rain. I even had a small practice shoot for my own videos. Then there was lots of chromo key shooting of a few of the artists, that were carried out during the (predominant) rainy days. On one particularly sunny and nice day, we travelled out in 2 full cars, from Old Harbour and made our way to Portmore for some truly breathtaking video shots. Scenes that will easily be recognised as sights taken along the famous Portmore road and utilised in any "YARDY" filmed reggae video.

Flu was rampant in Jamaica and the studio did not escape the effects, with artists having to film, whilst being under the bug. Sean had every intention of wanting his youngest brother (ME) to voice a track, to be included on the "MISS CASSY" album. This was to be the first time I was to voice a track for my brother and he was not about to let me leave Jamaica without voicing for him.

MORE TO COME SOON

MEXICO 2006

The return to Mexico after 2 years was most welcome for two reasons, a) it was a chance to once again visit a beautiful country and more importantly b) re-acquaint myself with friends that I had made during the first visit.

The last visit, in 2004 was made in the company of Cristine, of Alpha and Omega (who invited me as part of their show), Julian Fairshare, of Fairshare Unity Hi-Fi and Toaster, Rueben Masters. This trip, once again as part of the Alpha and Omega crew included Iself as the main vocalist, Jonah Dan and Russ D of the Disciples.

Once again we were looked after by our hosts, in the most positive way and for that I give thanks.

Travelling from Plymouth to London again took 4hours, then having met up with the rest of the crew at Heathrow it was a two hour flight to Madrid (Spain) where, after a 2 hour wait we embarked for the 11 and 1/2 hour journey to Mexico city. (all this for one gig ( well worth it though)).

During our stay, the crew once again took time out to see and climb the Pyramids. Well, Russ D at least managed to climb the Pyramid of the sun. As with Julian two years previous, Jonah was rushed many times by the beautifully, excited and curious children out on day trips and school visits. It was plainly obvious that "African, black man" was not a regular sight in Mexico.

Other trips that we took the time to enjoy with the company of our hosts were to the canals, where we spent the day being punted up and down, enjoying the food and wares that were ever available through the smaller punts that pulled alongside us. Things got just a little bit hairy and funny when Julian, following my decent attempt, took control of the punt and suddenly discovered how hard it really was. We also visited the museum of anthropology. This particular trip took place during the demonstrations for the international world water discussions being held in the city. In fact the demonstrations were being held right outside the musuem and we witnessed the aftermath of the window smashing of a police car.

Prior to the gig the crew were invited to a press conference come, what turned out in the end to be lecture. An expectant audience of approx 40 people turned into an audience of about 150, far more than expected. They were enthusiastic, attentive and above all thirsty for knowledge of reggae music and in particular the dub and soundsystem scene. We also took questions on the history, production and vibes of Dub music. A radio interview for the younger generations most populuar radio show, where examples of all the crews music was played and where I performed a song (war and crime) live on air. The phone lines were going crazy.

The actual gig was performed on Mexico's official may day bank holiday, in a venue just off the main square. Musicians were performing to thousands of people in streets, clubs, pubs and cafe's in the area surrounding the square. At the venue, which was amazingly decorated, we performed until 5am to a crowd of around 1500 enthusiastic and responsive, if at times bemused people. We were told later that it was amazing to see the crowd stay all night as normally by 2am virtually everyone goes home.

A relaxing trip to Acapulco, where we were treated to 2 days beautiful (pop star stylee) accomodation with veranda and swimming pool, on a hillside, overlooking Acapulco bay rounded off the Mexican stay.

more to come

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