Fresh out of the Studio. Give it a listen!
Last weekend I spent some time at the Paran Sounds studio. Not the first session of the year, the time was spent vibing with the music we want and plan to produce. So basically a sit down session discussing, meditating and listening to new music. With it all, nothing will be rushed as it has to be a creative process with music taking the lead. A further session is planning for this coming weekend.
Above is a picture of me listening to and medicating on some of the new music!
Posted by Black Jaguar in Music Production and tagged as Calypso, Paran Sounds, Soca
For that place that brings a smile to our faces when we close our eyes and dream.
I dream Of You
It is the beauty of your sunsets
That sets my heart racing
In a mad dash, always running
Running back to you.
Coolest of breezes under my armpits
Erasing all thoughts of the hot sun
On my face, my back
Shining through the windows
Bringing the smells of your rivers
And ghauts, waters that make
My mind fertile with the greenery
Of your landscapes.
I escape into your center hills
Away from your so call hustle and bustle
Ah….to live again!
Henry Alvin Sweeney aka Black Jaguar © copyright 2012
Posted by Black Jaguar in Poems and tagged as Montserrat, Poems
The Friday night before the I’Se Ah Bacchanalist Concert, I attended Soca Passion’s end of month Bacchanal in White Caribbean Fete. It was a chance for the other artistes and me to hang out and promote the upcoming show. Below is a picture of Duxcy The Groove Master and myself. You can listen to him most Tuesday and Thursday nights on Backywardsounds Radio as he pipes out sweet soca music!
You can view more pictures from the March Soca Passion event via their gallery.
Posted by Black Jaguar in Live Performances, Out On The Town and tagged as Soca, Soca Passion
I did my first major performance of the year last week in Houston. Organised by Caribfest, I performed alongside: Lyrics, Chronic 45, Otis and Kerwin Du Bois at the I’se Ah Bacchanalist concert. During my half hour plus stage time, I performed a number of songs from both albums. The response from the audience was extremely positive.
As usual the fans got their money’s worth and without a doubt, I’m a big fan of that! Anyway, below is a picture of me being interviewed before the show and then one during my performance captured by the The Caribbean American Heritage Foundation of Texas.
You can view more pictures of the concert via the Caribfest Presents I Se Ah Bacchanalist Facebook album.
Posted by Black Jaguar in Live Performances and tagged as Caribfest, Chronic 45, Kerwin du Bois, Lyrics, Otis, Soca
Being in Montserrat last December put me in a really good mood! It also helped me to clear my head and begin to think more plainly about how to create greater awarness for my music with people far and wide who love soca! Thus, for the first time ever, I’m offering a free song giveaway.
The track I’ve chosen is SHOW ME which is perfect for those who love jump up Caribbean style. It’s fast and up tempo with vivid descriptions of carnival in its entire splendor. So if you don’t yet have this single, go ahead click on the link below and grab the download today! The only thing required will be to register for my newsletter. You can register using Facebook or your own email.
P.S. Please forward this offer for free download of SHOW ME to friends as the more people, who listen, like and own this track the better!
Posted by Black Jaguar in Album: Man From Strat and tagged as Album: Man From Strat, Show Me, Soca
The official music video for Take Control continues to receive high praise and so grateful that I picked Tremayne Williams of TreySki Entertainment Productions to produce and direct. Particularly as the entire team takes the time to care about the integrity of the work it produces, puts the artiste first and values their input. So definitely look forward to working with Tremayne and his awesome team again at some point in the near future.
That said, Tremayne put together a 2012 year to date video reel. Not only are there clips from the Take Control shoot, but also video clips for a Doritos commercial, a movie title Le Jour Du Pere, an interview with SoulJa Boy for Show Off! The Magazine and another project titled Shifter. So quite an interesting mix of projects which I imagine keeps things interesting and exciting. As such, check out the video below and oh yeah, check out the site for his company: TreySki Entertainment Productions.
Posted by Black Jaguar in Music Videos and tagged as Take Control, TreySki Entertainment Productions
One of the big tunes for International Soca Monarch 2012 besides Pump Yuh Flag and Mr. Fete by Machel Montano was Bacchanalist performed by Kerwin du Bois. Another innovator in the soca business, I look forward to meeting Kerwin and sharing a stage with him in Houston torward the end of March (more on that later!). Anyway, below is the official music video for Bacchanalist — a groovy tune with powerful lyrics that sets a perfect tone for carnival!
Oh yeah: “This foot is mine ah go jump on de road wave up and bend down and wine, this foot is mine ah go stomp on the ground and you can’t tell me what to do.”
Posted by Black Jaguar in Soca Industry and tagged as Kerwin du Bois, Soca
With his explosive performances last night in the International Soca Monarch 2012, Machel Montano retains his rightful place at the top of the soca world. Surprisingly (perhaps not so), while many are singing his praises, some are also highly critical. For me, can’t find much fault as he has done much to elevate soca music to the masses. And really, there is much to learn and admire from his journey in the calypso/soca music industry these past 30 years. Below is a video of one of his early performances which provides a glimpse of what was to follow. Circa 1986, he proved his critics wrong and definitely wasn’t too young to soca.
Posted by Black Jaguar in Soca Industry and tagged as International Soca Monarch, Machel Montano, Soca
I stayed up for much of last night to watch the finals of the International Soca Monarch 2012 on Carnival TV. It is after all the premiere competition in soca, and since one of my goals is to perform in this event in the not too distant future, thought I’d check out those currently at the top of game with a view to picking up a few tips.
Anyway, can’t say I’m all that surprised by the results. I actually predicted that Machel Montano would be crowned both the Power Soca Monarch and Groovy Soca Monarch. Why? Well he had great stage presence, good attention to detail and his performances were not just captivating but specular. He took things to next level and so rightly won but really all the competitors who made it to the finals (especially those not from Trinidad & Tobago) should be proud of themselves! It was a good show and definitely lived up to the tag of Fantastic Friday!
The Results of Fantastic Friday’s Soca Monarch 2012 is as follows:
Digicel International Power Soca Monarch
1st Machel Montano
2nd Neil Iwer George
3rd Destra Garcia
4th Prophet Benjamin
4th Blaxx (Tie)
Play Whe International Groovy Soca Monarch
1st Machel Montano
2nd Kerwin Du Bois
3rd Benjai
4th Nadia Batson
5th Kees Dieffenthaller
Posted by Black Jaguar in Soca Industry and tagged as International Soca Monarch, Machel Montano, Soca
In honor of Valentine’s Day, sharing below a poem I recently wrote titled: Bright days and Sunshine. Enjoy!
Bright Days and Sunshine
Bright days and sunshine
Like my past radiate through the silky curtains
That garnishes the windows of my room
The veils of which protect my heart
They speak of better days
And a promise of a beautiful tomorrow
No fears, no doubt
Just trod-ding forward to meet the one I love
Longing for, hoping for
Those arms of gold to be wrapped around me
Engulfing me in their love
Easing my mind and opening my soul
Bright days and sunshine
A promise to me
Long ago given by my ancestors
My rewards to reap
And cherish with arms wide open
Loving you, beautiful woman that you are
Henry Alvin Sweeney aka Black Jaguar © copyright 2012
Posted by Black Jaguar in Poems and tagged as love, Poems
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