Duchess of Sounds of The Caribbean

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Talking about YouTube - Jah Is Real EPK
  

 

Reggae musician, Winston Rodney, known as Burning Spear, makes record with his 11th Grammy Award nomination in the Reggae genre.  He is nominated in the category of Best Reggae Album for his 2008 studio CD Release, Jah is Real.  The 51st Annual Grammy Awards to be held on Sunday, February 8 , 2009.

 

Awarded the Order of Distinction from his native land, Jamaica, Spear holds a previous Grammy award for his 1999 Calling Rastafari CD.  Jah is Real is produced and performed by Winston Rodney through his own independent label Burning Music Production and features tracks by Parliament-Funkadelic bassist Bootsy Collins and Keyboard player, Bernie Worell.

 

Also nominated for this award are Elephant Man (Let's Get Physical), Heavy D (Vibes), Lee 'Scratch' Perry (Repentance), Shaggy (Intoxication) and  Sly & Robbie (Amazing).  While this is Elephant Man's first nomination, a Marley for the first time in three years is not a contender.  While one ponders on whether it is good or bad a Marley is not a contender, others will be analyzing the consistency of the talented, conscious, Reggae artist, Burning Spear.

 

Duchess

www.jeanettedrew.com

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         YouTube - Signs of Hope & Change: Election Night
                                    

 

As a young Caribbean-American woman, this election for me was about change and hope.  While I cast my vote my mind was filled with thoughts of how the benefits that generation before me enjoyed were slipping away, some no longer around, for my enjoyment. Then I thought of the present economic situation, my goals, and the people who depend on me here and in the Caribbean. Then I thought of the sick, the helpless and those who passed on. When I put the ballots through the machine I held on to hope and imagine change. It was not only for my grime present situation but for a promising future for generations to come.  Last night I cried my ancestors’ tears, laughed out their joy and did the ancestral dance, stomping on the ground that’s stained with their blood.  I am happy I was part of this process this historical year.

 

Caribbean-American observing results online at social club

 

At around 6 pm November 4th, 2008 I left work and prepared to attend an election night watch party.  The political junkie I am and knowing I would have no possession of the remote control, I packed my computer in preparation to surf the national networks to follow the pundits.  I spent the night with fellow Caribbean-American at my favorite neighborhood social club.  Everyone discussed the election journey while sipping on comfort 'juice' and fish tea (soup).  A DJ set played favorite Caribbean conscious music in between commercials.  As important states’ result came in favoring Obama, people jumped off their seats with hands in the air.  For a while I thought I was watching the West Indies Cricket team batting a six or bowling out the English team's best batsman.  The intervals of cheers and silence continued. Then he was projected the presidential winner.  The speakers belched Bob Marley tunes, including ‘Get up, Stand up’. The dancing begun as the DJ spun Cocoa Tea reggae obama song including others.  Some jumped and waved while others dip and wine.

 

President Elect Barack Obama in Chicago - November 2008

   

                                                                               

 

It was after midnight when I left the club.  Happy to be home to control the remote I laid comfortably in bed immediately surfing the channels for reactions.  'What’s next ... He will have a fight ... We have to unite…' were some of the statements the pundits sounded.  I say, we have to be foot soldiers fighting in unity and harmony for change to be.  We have to continue to be active in the political process.  It doesn't end on election night.  We have to make our elected officials, regardless of party, know when we don't like the direction their taking.  How? We do it by communicating with our congressmen and local officials through written communications, telephone calls, demonstrations and/or getting involved in associations to aid in the drafting of bills.  A government for the people is what America voted for. We are one blood, one people, and one nation.  Good luck, America.

Duchess

www.jeanettedrew.com