Boom show from I-Octane

I-OCTANE

Romain Virgo

Kingston, Jamaica - AS the curtains came down on the 13th staging of the GT Taylor Boom Christmas Extravaganza at Independence Park in St Elizabeth, closing act I-Octane proved the perfect balm for the chilly conditions.

Buss a Blank, which sent the crowd into a frenzy, was a sign of things to come as the deejay delivered a set worthy of his name. He maintained the momentum with My Life, Bad Mind Dem A Pree and My Story.

It was twice the fun when I-Octane called Versatile on stage for their combination Anything We A Eat. The latter also performed his song Nah Go Be Ungrateful.

Although there were other strong performances, I-Octane's stood head and shoulders above the rest.

Singer Romain Virgo worked his heart out and got fans blowing away on their vuvuzelas. Other commendable performances came from Admiral Tibet, Jah Bouks, Ginjah, upcoming artiste I-Noah, Assassin, Bounty Killer Sizzla and Chuck Fenda.

Louie Culture, after performing old favourites such as Gangalee and Old Before Dem Young, had some economic advice for the government.

"Jamaica borrow IMF (International Monitory Fund) money, a we haffi pay that back. We have the highest grade product that can help pay off the debt. Legalise the herb," he declared, before going into his single of the same name.

St Mary 'brothers' Capleton and Ninjaman were also winners, both spewing fiery lyrics. Always controversial, Ninjaman also took on the role of adviser to Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller.

"Sista P, look how long mi hear 'bout JEEP (Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme) an' all now mi caan even si di tyre!" which triggered another round of blaring vuvuzelas.

The latest edition of Irie FM disc jockey G T Taylor's show drew a solid turnout. Part proceeds will go to charities in St Elizabeth.

— Cecelia Campbell-Livingston

.Source - jamaicaobserver.com

Cream of the Crop for Ocho Rios, Jamaica

The people of Ocho Rios, St Ann, and its environs, wi

ll have at least one item on this Christmas wish list granted this year: a high quality live entertainment show in the resort town.

St Ann, Jamaica - This year, courtesy of Purple Skunkz Entertainment, the town will host 'Cream of the Crop' which is scheduled to take place on Saturday at the Cruise Ship Pier. Some five major acts are billed to perform along with several supporting acts.

Jah Cure, Romain Virgo, I-Octane, Mavado and Chronixx are the headlining acts. Supporting acts include Kabaka Pyramid, Dre Island, Kelissa, Keznandi, Jah Bouks, Iba Mahr and Nature.

The Purple Skunkz Entertainment team comprises Wayne 'DJ Wayne' Morris, Ainsworth 'Big A' Higgins, and DJ Smurf. Each has years of experience in event and show promotion.

Ainsworth Higgins, co-promoter of the event, believes that 'Cream of the Crop' has the high-powered line-up and the formula to be a roaring success.

"As the name suggests, this show is designed to showcase the artistes who are among the best and at the top of their game. Each artiste was carefully considered before being chosen, and had to satisfy the criteria of currency, catalogue, performance (stage) and professionalism," Higgins said.

The event is geared at residents of Ocho Rios and surrounding areas, as well as visitors who usually converge on the tourist resort area during the festive season. In recent years, there has been a departure of a number of well-known events that has left a void on the entertainment calendar, with residents having little choices for entertainment.

The Cruise Ship Pier will create the perfect ambience and infrastructure to host this high-class entertainment event because it is centrally located and is within walking distance from a number of adjoining neighbourhoods. The pier has also had a long history of successful events.

Come Saturday, patrons can expect a first-class event with high-energy performances. Special attention will also be paid to the tight security measures that will also be in place to ensure the safety of patrons.

MAVADO MAGIC

BY LEIGH-ANN WORRELL | MON, DECEMBER 09, 2013 - 12:05 AM

Barbados - The fifth edition of the Hennessy Artistry show was served up, straight, no chaser at Kensington Oval on Saturday night.

Headline act Mavado treated the audience to his slew of hits, spanning earlier tunes like Top Shotta Nuh Miss and Gal A Mad Ova to the more recent March Out, Can’t Happen and Million Dollar Man.

Coming to the stage just after 2 on Sunday morning, the "Gully God" made sure there was something sweet for the ladies and the hardcore tunes for the men during his hour on stage.

Mavado was preceded by the “Royal Family of Reggae” Morgan Heritage.

With lilting melodies and strong vocals, the band sent the thousands in the crowd swaying to the sounds of Best Friend, Down By The River, Don’t Haffi Dread before rounding off with a Perfect Love Song.

Lead vocalist Peter Peetah Morgan also allowed the deep tones of his brother Gramps Morgan to take centre stage during the hour-long set.

Morgan Heritage also sang the praises of the late South African freedom fighter Nelson Mandela, who died on Thursday after a prolonged illness.

I-Octane was another favourite for the night, his contribution was filled with messages against domestic violence and remembering those who died with songs like Lose A Friend.

The energetic Jamaican star would Go Hard, but still found the time to praise the contribution of single mothers through Mama You Alone.

Still very much of a lover, I-Octane also spent more than ten minutes of his set serenading a special birthday girl, dedicating L.O.V.E You to the smiling fan.

Junior Kelly was also a sweet success on the night, blessing the stage withBlaze and Sunshine.

Even though he was not well known, Richie Campbell, a reggae singer from Portugal, made a good impression on the notoriously hard-to-please Barbadian crowd. Propelled by a seemingly never-ending store of energy, Campbell got his audience to sing.

Local band NexCyx prepared the Kensington Oval stage, while local DJ acts entertained between sets during the six-hour event.

Source: nationnews.com

Blood at Kartel’s home

But forensic analyst says DNA didn’t match uncle of ‘Lizard’

BY PAUL HENRY Crime/Court Co-ordinator henryp@jamaicaobserver.com

Thursday, December 05, 2013

Vybz Kartel

Kingston Jamaica - GOVERNMENT forensic analyst Sharon Bryson testified in the Vybz Kartel murder trial yesterday that blood, believed to be that of a male, was found at the entertainer’s house.

However, she testified that DNA analysis of the blood did not match that of the uncle of the man the prosecution believed to have been murdered.

Bryson gave the evidence during her examination-in-chief that blood, believed to be that of victim Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams, was taken from the Havendale, St Andrew, house and that a swab was done of Williams’ uncle for DNA.

“The DNA did not match that of the uncle,” Bryson told the court. Asked by lead prosecutor Jeremy Taylor what could account for the failure to match DNA, Bryson said Williams’ uncle may be from his mother’s side of the family.

Under cross-examination by defence attorney Tom Tavares- Finson, who appears with Chris Tavares-Finson for Kartel, Bryson said she was unable to say that the blood taken from the house was that of Williams.

“If it was said that the blood of Clive Williams was found at the house at Swallowfield Avenue, that would not have come from you?”

“No, sir,” said Bryson.

“If the police say blood of Williams was found at Vybz Kartel’s house, that wouldn’t have come from you?”

“No, sir,” was her response.

Under cross-examination by another defence attorney, Michael Lorne, who, along with Susan Dodd, appears for Shawn ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell, Bryson said the police had brought the uncle to her for a sample to be taken for DNA analysis.

She said other samples that were taken from the house were tested, but no match to Williams was found.

Vybz Kartel (real name Adidja Palmer), Campbell, Kahira Jones, Andre St John, and Shane Williams are on trial for the murder of Clive Williams on August 16, 2011.

A body has not been found but the prosecution believes that Williams was beaten to death over the disappearance of two guns.

Yesterday, Corporal Shawn Howard of the police’s Communication Forensic and Cybercrime Unit testified to getting a number of cellular phones, a notebook computer, a USB flash drive, and laptop on October 3, 2011, which he logged in the register.

Cross-examined by Lorne, he said that he was aware that in some instances the law required that a warrant be obtained before a confiscated cellphone could be searched. He, however, said that he didn’t obtain a warrant to do so.

Howard also said that he didn’t ascertain if a warrant was obtained for the confiscation of the items in the first place.

In response to questions posed by attorney Pierre Rogers (Jones’ attorney), Howard said that no civilian worked at the Cybercrime Unit at the time he got the items, and that only police officers conduct analysis of exhibits.

“There are no civilians to check the police finding?” Rogers asked.

“No, sir,” Howard said.

Crossed by Tavares-Finson, Howard said there was no way of telling the ownership of the phones if the investigator didn’t put the names of the owners on them

Source: jamaicaobserver.com