Byron Lee and the Dragonaires and their fans are now in Port-of-Spain for the final round of the Trinidadian Carnival which ends of Tuesday. However, their absence has not dimmed things at their local venue, the newly launched Carnival City at the Marketplace, Constant Spring Road, Kingston.
Despite the absence, the venue has become the hottest entertainment spot on Friday nights for the weekly D'Millennium Jam.
Two new companies - D'Masqueraders headed by Danielle Lee and Jamaica Carnival Limited headed by Julianna Lee Samuels - a second generation of Lees, are responsible for keeping the flag high at the new venue.
According to Julianne Lee Samuels, there is a special effort on the part of Jamaica Carnival this year to reach out to young people using popular discos like Coppershot and top selectors like Kurt Riley, Colin Hinds and Marlon Young, as well as Peter Phillips' disco, and a number of contemporary selectors from Trinidad and Tobago.
"We're the originators of the Jamaican Carnival on a national level and we feel the torch has to be carried on. We cater to the masses, that's our market," she said.
Information on the camp's activities are available at www.jamaicancarnival.com as well a the www.homeview. com.
TOK under fire
Hot dancehall group, TOK, have come under intense pressure since the release of their hit single, Chi Chi Man (LOY).
The latest objections were raised by the group Christians United for Love, Justice and Peace(CULJP), about what the group claims is the homophobic lyrics of the song.
The group seems to be disturbed by the suggestive line "blaze the fire mek we bun dem."
But spokesman, Craig Thompson, says that the intention was not gay bashing and that their video is not really encouraging violence against gays: "It means different things to different people and it depends on what is on the mind of the person," he said.
The song has been TOK's biggest selling single in recent months and is accompanied by a video directed by Ras Kassa which is being rated as the baddest local video ever.
Prince Oret returns
Leading Ocho Rios singer/producer Prince Oret returned home recently from Denver, Colorado, where he says that he was closely connected with efforts to promote reggae music in the state.
Oret says that Jamaican entertainers are reluctant to visit Colorado because of the thin air, but believes that with proper acclimatisation they could turn the state into an important reggae market.
His visit was organised by Patrick Hogan of Askel International, the leading sound system in the city of Denver. He appeared on two shows at the Boathouse Caribbean Cafe on January 19 and 26.
He credits Jamaican born promoter "Daddy Roy" and Askel for a lot of the work in promoting the music in the city:"The people there really love the music, but most Jamaican artistes bypass the state because of the air." However, he has no fear because he is headed back to Colorado next month with his brother, DJ Diplomat, in tow for shows March 17-25.
Sizzla on hot rhythm
Look out for leading deejay Sizzla on Annette Brewster's Binggae recording label.
The deejay is being featured on the label's new "tiptoe" rhythm which features a number of well known acts, including Devonte and Tanto Metro, Elephant Man, Merciless, Kiprich, Lexxus, Danny English, Jigsy King as well as in-house acts Murdack and Elicea.
