Byron Lee's Jamaica Carnival says that one of the highlights of this year's event will be the blend of dancehall and reggae with soca at its Soca/Calypso Tent on Thursday, April 19.
The event will feature the "Champions of the Caribbean" or what insiders call the "Awesome Foursome" Mighty Sparrow, Beenie Man, Machel Montano and David Rudder.
A host of other champions will be in action, including 1999 Road March Queen Sanelle Dempster, 2000 Road March King Iwer George, Barbados' Queen of Calypso Terencia Coward, Xtatik and Jamaica's Ken Boothe.
Another important development in the programme will be the Downtown Afterwork Jam, a collaborative effort between the UDC and Jamaica Carnival scheduled for Friday, April 20.
ARP artist goes solo
ARP's Orville Thomas has decided to balance a solo career with being lead vocalist in the group.
Thomas has assumed the name Da'Ville and Penthouse Records' Donovan Germaine has taken him under his wings and believes he is ready to soar as a solo act.
"I am working on some singles now which will manifest into an album soon," he said.
Since going solo he has recorded three songs Love Will Show Me The Way, All My Life featuring Marcia Griffiths and Maria, a Spanish/English original which was recorded before Santana even released a single with the same name.
Delly Ranks talks to school kids
Deejay Delly Ranks gave a motivational talk to Key Club members from Wolmers, Calabar and Merl Grove High Schools at a meeting at Merl Grove, Kingston, recently.
The deejay spoke about the importance of staying in school, staying focused and attaining their goals.
"It is very important that you understand the need to get a good education. Do not allow any form of negativity to interfere with what you want to achieve in life. Cooperate with your peers, teachers and family as well as those in a position to help steer you along the right track," he told the students.
Merciless in demand
Merciless' management says the deejay got offers for the distribution of his next album, The History, from various companies including VP, Sony Japan, London's Greensleeves and Germany's Pow Wow. Greensleeves sent two of their representatives to Jamaica recently to do promotional shoots.
The album should be out in May and Merciless will be embarking on a promotional tour in Europe. Prior to that he has a number of North American engagements including the Bahamas on April 14; Bronx, New York on April 28; Pier One, Montego Bay, on May 5 and Philadelphia on May 12.
